Studio 53two - Training for Creatives

Our Story

The Manchester Actors’ Platform, MAP, was created in 2015 by actor/acting coach Simon Naylor. Designed to benefit adult actors, its focus lies primarily on providing services required at an affordable cost. In a world saturated with practitioners,
self-help specialists, show-reel producers, headshot photographers and more, MAP hopes to bridge the gap between the affordable and the achievable.


Simon’s background as an actor means that he has, and still is, experiencing just how tough the industry can be, not just to break into, but to survive in. Combining his 10 years teaching experience at some of the country’s leading drama schools, a rich and varied experience on stage, screen and radio and some reassuring Northern roots, all of the services MAP provide aim to cut out the b*******t. We provide what actors need, when actors need it, and at a price affordable to actors.

Offering workshops, classes, seminars, show-reels, headshots and simple advice, Simon uses those professionals he has had the pleasure to work with over the last decade who share the same ethos as he does.

On top of this, MAP operate MAP Productions and produce their own work both in Manchester and across the country, providing paid work for primarily working class actors, in new-writing and re-imagined regional productions.


We can’t guarantee you a successful career, we can’t get you that big audition, nor can we tell you the magic words to open up the mythical door to success. What we can do is guide you through whatever stage of your career you are at and, whilst remaining honest and down-to-earth, offer advice, help and development - maybe even a stage - which might just set you off in the right direction.