The Acting Lab

ike a mini-version of drama school! [Max: 12 participants]

Dundee Improv Workshops: A fun and friendly series of workshops to re-acquaint you with your inner child! Improve your confidence, communication, concentration, creativity and spontaneity in a structured and supportive environment. Don’t be scared: you don’t have to be fast, funny or a natural performer :) [Max: 12 participants]

One to One Coaching available in Acting, Public Speaking and Voice. See website for full details. Audition Preparation offered for prospective drama school students and actors at any stage of their careers. Corporate workshops to boost your employees' and colleagues' confidence and communication skills. Intermediate Acting Course (returning soon): Serious about acting? Get stretched and go to the next level with our powerful, professional, friendly and fun workshops, culminating in an exciting opportunity to perform our scenes! [Max: 12 participants]

Other workshops have included: Audition Preparation, Building a Character, Acting is a Team Sport, Tackling a Monologue, Scene Study and Breaking Bard: An Introduction To Shakespeare. Tutor: An experienced actor, director and teacher, Elaine Newton graduated from RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). She also trained in film acting in Los Angeles and at the Bilingual Acting Workshop in Paris, using American models for naturalistic acting. Her international training has given her the knowledge base and breadth of experience to provide students with support and inspiration along with structured, practical acting techniques. Great confidence can be gained from these and transferred to any aspect of life. Testimonials:
“An eye-opening journey of self discovery with equal measures of joy, hilarity and serious craft. Highly recommended as a fun and enjoyable class with serious depth.” (Ed Broughton of Bonnie Brae Productions, Dundee)

"Elaine is a fantastic teacher and makes you feel at ease to go for it push yourself out of your comfort zone. Excellent course!!!” (Jayne Elisha Duncan, Dundee)

“Being a complete beginner to acting, I had no idea what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed all parts of the course and, even in the final production, I didn’t feel the fear I expected.” (Chris Trewartha, Dundee)

“It’s a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Very good for helping build confidence that can be used in other walks of life.” (Joe Fordyce, Dundee)

Despite my initial anxieties. I enjoyed the experience immensely. It gave me the opportunity to meet and work with some lovely people. I have since been invited to give talks to groups of people, which I would never have considered previously. Thank you Elaine for your encouragement and commitment.” (I Haggart, Dundee)

"Great fun. Anyone interested in theatre could benefit from this chance to work on skills in a non-threatening way, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere." (Heather Cochrane, Dundee)

“The Acting Lab was a new and excellent experience. As a non-actor, I joined to learn more about voice projection and stage presence. It was fun and professional, with Elaine helping us grow our skills each week with varied and innovative ways to get the best out of us. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to enhance their acting skills or improve stage presence”. Roberts, Forfar)

“Elaine’s methods involve physical work and learning to use your voice – the latter being particularly helpful to me as a singer. You learn teamwork and character development. She is an accomplished actor and director – I have seen her turn around a scene that was not happening, and make it work in a very short time. I would recommend her to anyone who is serious about acting, whether as a career or hobby.” (Niall Robertson, Dundee)

“I can honestly say the work we did was invaluable in the long process of artistic development. Elaine concentrates on real foundations for breathing, voice work and movement in a holistic and supportive atmosphere. Every week as the group progressed we studied character development with the What, Why When, Where and How questions. She gave us all the tools to perform and progress. Whatever you want to do in art. Elaine's classes will prepare the whole person for an Artistic Life.” (A Anzer, Paris)

“It’s always a great pleasure and gratifying to work with highly professional people, who can share and impart their skills to others. This is a perfect description of Elaine. She puts in place, along with the energy of each individual in the group, an intensely stimulating atmosphere of learning, self-searching and powerful expression.” (M Crowhurst, Paris)

"Elaine patiently guided us through the scenes of a difficult and dark play by Sarah Kane, and encouraged us to question what we were doing and to come up with more effective ways of communicating the text. It takes a lot to have such a light but insightful and professional touch” (J Duff, Luxembourg)