Welcome to Acting Classes for Professional Actors
aka Acteach, aka The Meisner Class (est. 1998)
Private Audition Preparation Coaching – Are you getting ready for an audition? Are you falling into the script traps that trip up many actors? So you’re a good Actor, but not a good Auditioner? They’re different skills! The aim of our 1-2-1 sessions is to look at what you’re leaving on the table with your script work, your choices, your approach, and give you a consistent, repeatable system that will help you get recalls.
My goals as your Acting Coach
My goal as your Coach is to first introduce you to a beautiful technique that above all other techniques (and I’ve studied other techniques), has helped me discover myself, my creativity, my voice through acting in the moment. But it is so much more than that. I started teaching in 1998 in the first classes in Surbiton, Surrey when the Meisner Technique was little known in the UK. Having spent the past 30 years as a professional actor and made mistakes, my goal is to help you not make the same mistakes. Which means more of the Mindset that my challenging teachers imparted and less of the mindset-absent work that some of the other teachers didn’t see as important. It’s worth mentioning that as an experienced teacher of acting, I’ve grown and continue to do so, as my students help me want to excel as a teacher to help them better. My technique has evolved just as other Acting Teachers’ have.
As you come through this beautiful technique, I look forward to challenging you, and helping you find the beauty, the discipline, the freedom, the structure that is individual to each actor. My aim is to help you find that within you, and nurture it.
I’m very excited to work with you; and see you become the best Actor and Professional in this business that you can possibly be!
Our programs
Fundamentals weekly classes
The weekly Fundamentals of the Meisner Technique classes are the best way to start learning the Meisner technique. The class meets every Tuesday 7-9pm online via Skype. Make sure you sign up to attend the class.
Hover your mouse over the video to reveal the 3 dots on the right, to view full screen.
Next Level Classes (aka 2-Year Program)
Next level classes include continuation classes in the Meisner Technique which are by invitation and dependent on your current stage in the technique. If you’re new to the technique your first class is usually the Independent Activity Class 1.
Monologue/Scene Study Class (Technique Agnostic)
These classes are offered outside of Meisner Technique work for students who want to dive straight into working with text.
Private 1:1 coaching
Private 1:1 coaching is available by request. Contact the instructor to arrange a session.
What our students say
Amalia F., London
“The Meisner acting class changed the way I see emotional expression, it helped me with bringing characters to life in a different way. It also helped me with discovering new things about myself. I would truly recommend this class to anyone who might have some problems with expressing himself or just wants to get to know the Meisner acting technique.”
Nirish S., Kingston
“I had no acting experience or expectations when I joined Michael’s class. Michael is one of the most supportive teachers you will ever meet and you will feel the growth within you every week. It took me a few lessons to understand the principle behind the Meisner technique but after that I was absolutely blown away. Beyond acting, I found a deeper benefit of taking Michael’s classes – they helped me develop my emotional intelligence and self-awareness. These skills are critical to anyone in the 21st century and I’ve found myself growing my empathy dealing with people in everyday situations.”
Luke S. – Kingston
“I’ve found a greater acceptance of my emotions here and more confidence in expressing them that I’m able to take with me to the ‘outside world.’ It’s a very supportive atmosphere that is excellently guided.”
Ian Y., Ewell
“The Meisner Technique class has enabled me to become much more aware of the emotions I feel and more open to express these emotions leading to more self-confidence in inter-personal relationships both at work and in my personal life. The course which is run very hands on in a practical manner encouraging students to learn and progress whilst also having fun.”
Richard S. – Kingston
“The truth will set you free. The Meisner technique will help you access it – in yourself and in others – moment-to-moment, in your daily life. Michael is a highly skilled and attentive instructor, and will teach you to find that truth – whatever it may be for you.”
Ginny Stride (Actors Richmond Centre)
“Hi Michael – You’ve anticipated my communication, with thanks, to you & to say what fun it was (as well as informative).You made it all very clear. The consensus was very positive. We definitely want you back to carry on the good work while it is still ‘warm’ in our psyches!
Thanks again for yesterday – one of our best workshops!”
Kerrie-Anne P. – Merton
“The Meisner Technique class is a brilliant way to discover more about who you are. Whilst it has helped me grasp a deeper sense of self awareness it has also given me a better understanding of the acting world. I have become more confident in expressing myself and have enjoyed creating life-changing emotional moments with people outside of my usual circle.”
Ross J. – Worcester Park
“I truly believe if we are truly going to be the best we can be, then we have to get out of the way of ourselves first, as there is no greater enemy than the enemy within. This class enables you to unlock your potential and take it as far as it can go, through structured feedback and encouragment. This is the most productive acting class I have ever attended. If you are serious about acting or about becoming a professional then this class will help you achieve that.”
Ben H. – Film Maker – Worcester Park
“I just wanted to say thank you for a great class last night. The technique is absolutely brilliant and it was fun working with your students. I was very impressed that ‘the words that are said’ are very much in the back seat of where the meaning comes from, and the class made this very clear through the exercises. The technique really exposes the root emotions and allows you the freedom to explore your own portrayal of emotion and the observation of it in others. Reading subtext from the person you are acting with, expressing it and reflecting it back really gives you freedom to act without thinking about ‘acting’. I loved it. Thank you.”
Alice H. – West London
“Michael’s Classes have allowed me to grow so much, not just as an actor, but as a person. The skills I’ve learned are simple but essential to improving my craft and every class poses a new challenge.”
Paolo C. – Teddington
“This class gave me the possibility to get back in touch with acting after some years and it gave me that possibility with a sense of freshness and immediate connection to the other actors. It gave me a sense as if this is the most important tool for an actor: to be in immediate connection with the others and within himself. Thank you..”
Leah V. – South West London
“This class has helped me come to terms with what I am truly feeling, giving a name to each nuance of emotion while reconciling that with the physical reactions that come alongside those emotions, something I personally tend to overthink. It’s helped me understand how my own body language is interpreted by other people, something that’s useful in day to day life. Putting words to our thoughts about another persons reactions and emotions helps to access the underlying processes that happen when we interact with another human, and makes you give some thought to why you react subconsciously the way you do. I’m someone who’s in the media industry as another kind of entertainer and came to this class interested in acting and seeing how the techniques used in acting can help inform my own work…”
Benjamin W. – Germany
“We don’t learn how to ‘feel’ at school.
Not being happy most of the time does not mean that I don’t have feelings of happiness. It’s me not connecting to the feeling and expressing it.
The Fundamentals class taught me the art to connect, retrieve, and express my feelings. In other words, I learned by doing, what my true version of myself is, behind the façade of versions I am not, but try to be — as we are all raised up to survive in society.
What a wonderful journey of self-discovery!
In the first sessions I was struck that I did not have a clue of how another person is feeling. The class enabled me quickly to attain the ability to pinpoint the feeling behind the action of a person and naming it.
Even after half a year of weekly sessions I do not stop being surprised of how the ability of expressing my own, and my counterpart’s feelings flips a conversation instantly into one between two ‘true’ selves — the essence of human communication! Without the class I would not have learned this.
…”
Phil A, Surrey
“The Meisner Technique is very different to any other acting class that I have attended. It is not about pretending, as Michael insists on a truthfulness that is challenging, liberating, frustrating, uncomfortable, funny, exposing and difficult. If you have acted before, you may know the feeling of being a truer version of yourself when apparently being someone else, but in the repetition class you get to be a truer version of yourself every time you make a comment. It can be difficult for a variety of reasons, but on the other hand it is also the easiest thing you could ever do, expressing yourself completely freely without the social constraints, expectations and demands of everyday life. You cannot stay in this class without developing both as a more truthful actor and as a more genuine person. Michael demands the best and is not shy about calling out unconvincing performances. There is nowhere to hide, but then again, with Michael there is no need to hide. He takes great pleasure in you discovering, or maybe uncovering is a better word, the real you.
On top of the weekly repetition class, which is like a workout at the truthfulness gym, Michael offers other classes which take a more profound look at the craft of Acting with scripts. Unless you have done Meisner before, it is a different approach to the way we are generally taught and it requires unlearning what may have become second nature. Like the repetition class, this is a challenge and requires you to go on a journey that will probably continue forever. These classes provide the context for the weekly workout and are invaluable for understanding how to become a better actor. There are always new things to learn and a landmark achievement to go past (and occasionally it feels like there are a lot more of the former than the latter). But after some 70 classes, I just cannot imagine my week without a visit to the Meisner gym!…”
Sara M, Surrey
“I’ve been attending Michael’s classes for just over a year – both the regular Fundamentals and Next Level courses – and have truly felt my acting skills improve more than I have with any other classes I’ve undertaken. I feel more in touch with my own emotional intelligence, and far more confident in my ability to express myself truthfully as well as pick up on and respond to the emotions of my acting partners. Michael is constructively critical and extremely discerning as a teacher, and a class rarely goes by when he doesn’t point out a useful aspect for me to learn from and develop my acting ability. I find this learning process challenging in the best possible way, and trust Michael’s judgement wholly and implicitly. I feel certain that I have grown a fair deal since starting these classes, and am very grateful to have access to them and to Michael’s unparalleled direction on a weekly basis! “
Gallery
WE’RE CURRENTLY RUNNING 1-2-1 Pre-Audition Coaching via Zoom.
E-mail
info@acteach.uk
Reach out!
When you think about how your success at this audition will lead to your success at the next one, the connections you make, the money you make (if it’s for a paid role), and how it resets your career as an Actor; Hold on to that thought. Now compare it to no investment here, no success, yet another failed audition and yet another year of the same mindset of “Doing the best I can alone”, and ask yourself: Is it worth leaving today’s opportunity on the table? If you’re truly serious about your career as an Actor, working with an experienced Coach will short-cut your path to success.