Speech and Drama Studio

07/02/2025

Creative Speech Formation Training with Geoff Norris
by Michelle Kaplan 31.03.2019

I had my Speech Training with a Lion. He was born in Africa and grew to maturity in lands over the sea. His roar was the sound of thunderstorms and volcanoes; his growls were like the rumblings before an earthquake, but his purr was in harmony with Nature itself. To be in his presence was like being close to the heart of a fire, and when he tossed his shaggy mane the flames would burst into life!
Geoff Norris is a master of his art. A great soul and spirit, he is a passionate, inspirational teacher and performer of Speech and Drama who works out of the source of the Logos. Geoff has a wonderful command of the English language and the powers and forces that live within the sounds of speech. The insight that I have gained through his vast experience and expertise has been invaluable. Geoff was relentless in his endeavour to encourage me to reach for my highest creative potential and I felt myself going through a powerful transformative process through our work together.
I received a fully comprehensive training from Geoff and was also extremely fortunate to have been able to work with Agnes Zehnter from the ‘Am Wort’ Speech Formation School in Dornach, Switzerland whose expertise and wisdom enhanced my training process.
I am deeply grateful to this Lion who brought me close to the heart of the fire! My warmest thanks and appreciation to you Geoff.
Michelle Kaplan Stodel Eurythmy Trainer at Kairos Eurythmy Training Cape Town, South Africa Speech Formation Diploma

24/09/2024

What is support? Saying yes to everything even when it's a severe lowering of standards leading to the future death of art ? Or is support actually speaking out and telling the Emperor he is naked or she for that matter. What is the responsibility of leadership and is quantity ever acceptable over quality? Can one or should one ever graduate anyone who cannot walk the talk, and cannot differentiate sufficiently even if they can talk the walk ?

05/02/2024

Congrats to Gregers Brinch. 7th graduate of the Speech and Drama studio.

A Gleam of Dew- the longest journey. Stroud 27th January 2024

Gregers joy, enthusiasm and warmth of soul shone forth again and again.
I was mesmerized from the start.

25/06/2023

A REVIEW

“The Story of the Fourth Wise Man” by Henry Van D**e, presented by Geoffrey Norris. A Review.

Every January at Epiphany I am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a Galette des Rois, at Phillippe Conticini, - a favourite cafe/patisserie of mine in Camden Town. It is a wonderful, almond-based sweet prepared expressly for and sold at the Feast of the Epiphany memorializing the visit of the Three Magi/Kings or Wise Men to Bethlehem to honour the infant Jesus.. It cannot be purchsed at any other time of year. It is a special treat for me.

This year, however, I was lucky enough to have be granted another treat that equalled the Gallete - it was Geoffrey Norris’ presentation of The Story of the Fourth Wise Man by Henry van D**e read on Zoom on the last of the Holy Nights. The sweetness of van D**e’s words are in themselves a treat. However, Geoffrey Norris’ performance only added to the goodness of the tale.

I was alternatively entertained, inspired, cheered, moved, tearful and then wholesomely restored to what I can only describe as a sense of “belonging in the right place”. Norris’ facility took the experience beyond the simple reading of the story. He infused the narrative with an inner truth that quite literally seemed to glow. Embodying at different times not only the thoughts and feelings of the Narrator telling the story but also those of Artaban, the Median – the Other Wise Man, who in the words of Van D**e :

“also saw the star in its rising, and set out to follow it, yet did not arrive with his brethren in the presence of the young child Jesus. “ Of the great desire of this fourth pilgrim, and how it was denied, yet accomplished in the denial; of his many wanderings and the probations of his soul; of the long way of his seeking, and the strange way of his finding, the One whom he sought—I would tell the tale as I have heard fragments of it in the Hall of Dreams, in the palace of the Heart of Man..”

Norris’ rare gift as a Storyteller is remarkable as he inhabits each character, each moment and each emotion with a kind of therapeutic, healing warmth. It certainly had a carthartic effect on me and other listeners as they seemed to be visibly moved and cheered.

As a Dramatherapist, dealing much with the soulful healing that clients experience from the carthatic value of fairy tales, narratives, biographies and autoethnoraphy, such a skilled telling as Norris brought us is enormously valuable and warrants a wider arena. It would be worthwhile if these “live” readings could be transformed into CD recordings which would give it a greater practical usefulness in education, therapeutic application as well as good and inspiring listening pleasure.

Certainly, if you have a chance to catch a reading that Geoffrey may give I would certainly say it would be something special that I feel sure you would value doing.

Bruce Howard Bayley
HCPC Registered Dramatherapist
Founder: tribhuvan threefold psycho-spiritual dramatherapy
Anthroposophical Study and Research

25/06/2023

Thanks so much Geoffrey.
From Bruce Howard Bayley to Everyone 08:21 PM
Wonderful Geoffrey...! Your embodiment was marvellous...Thank you..!
From teddyprestbury to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thanks Geoffrey for your beautiful presentation. It was wonderful.
From Linda Meisinger to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thank you … you can never hear it too many times …. Thank you for your reading again.
From Douglas Davidson to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thank you Geoff. No words for the experience. Thank you. D
From Sophia to Everyone 08:23 PM
Thank you Geoffrey Norris for your beautiful and potent reading! Wondrous and soul-filling!
From Smadar Bunzl to Everyone 08:25 PM
That was a wonderful gift. Thank you Geoff
And I would love to know from Liora where one can read this in Hebrew
From Cherylann Castanieto to Everyone 08:25 PM
Thank you so much Geoffrey! Every time I hear you tell this story it speaks so deeply in me. Just wonderful!!
From Robyn Hauenstein to Everyone 08:25 PM
The beauty of experiencing the reverent story in a “mouth to ear” manner (even via Zoom!) is beyond anything that can be felt just by reading. Thank you so much for this very special gift Geoffrey!. You brought it so to life and your heart forces provided such healing and nutrition to us.
From Joanna to Everyone 08:26 PM
Yes, Robyn!!!
From Patricia Fenkell to Everyone 08:27 PM
Amazing! Is there anyone left with a dry eye?
From liora oriel -Israel to Everyone 08:27 PM
its not published, yet. its in out branch..... write me and ill ask the translators permition
From juliexigaki to Everyone 08:28 PM
A beautiful and wonderful gift Geoff - warmest thanks
From liora oriel -Israel to Everyone 08:28 PM
[email protected]
From Dermond Murray to Everyone 08:29 PM
Thank you Geoffrey. Blessings over Epiphany's unfolding. Best wishes to you all, and thank you especially Sue for all your efforts in making these online presentations possible.
From Tesa Jalandoni to Everyone 08:30 PM
Thank you for the wonderful story and the wonderful experience of the 12 holy nights with all that has been presented in this community.
From James to Everyone 08:31 PM
Thanks to Sue and Adrian.
From Smadar Bunzl to Everyone 08:32 PM
thank you Liora!
From Becky McGrath to Everyone 08:32 PM
Thank you for everything! 🥰
From Elizebeth to Everyone 08:32 PM
thank you very much Geoffrey what a lovey ending to the holy Nights to send us grace into the New Year.
From Lisa’s iPad (2) to Everyone 08:32 PM
Thank you!

From my zoom reading of "the Other Wise Man" Holy Nights 2022

18/06/2023

From a reading on zoom of The Other Wise Man by van D**e. Holy Nights 2022/23

Thanks so much Geoffrey.
From Bruce Howard Bayley to Everyone 08:21 PM
Wonderful Geoffrey...! Your embodiment was marvellous...Thank you..!
From teddyprestbury to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thanks Geoffrey for your beautiful presentation. It was wonderful.
From Linda Meisinger to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thank you … you can never hear it too many times …. Thank you for your reading again.
From Douglas Davidson to Everyone 08:22 PM
Thank you Geoff. No words for the experience. Thank you. D
From Sophia to Everyone 08:23 PM
Thank you Geoffrey Norris for your beautiful and potent reading! Wondrous and soul-filling!
From Smadar Bunzl to Everyone 08:25 PM
That was a wonderful gift. Thank you Geoff
And I would love to know from Liora where one can read this in Hebrew
From Cherylann Castanieto to Everyone 08:25 PM
Thank you so much Geoffrey! Every time I hear you tell this story it speaks so deeply in me. Just wonderful!!
From Robyn Hauenstein to Everyone 08:25 PM
The beauty of experiencing the reverent story in a “mouth to ear” manner (even via Zoom!) is beyond anything that can be felt just by reading. Thank you so much for this very special gift Geoffrey!. You brought it so to life and your heart forces provided such healing and nutrition to us.
From Joanna to Everyone 08:26 PM
Yes, Robyn!!!
From Patricia Fenkell to Everyone 08:27 PM
Amazing! Is there anyone left with a dry eye?
From liora oriel -Israel to Everyone 08:27 PM
its not published, yet. its in out branch..... write me and ill ask the translators permition
From juliexigaki to Everyone 08:28 PM
A beautiful and wonderful gift Geoff - warmest thanks
From liora oriel -Israel to Everyone 08:28 PM
[email protected]
From Dermond Murray to Everyone 08:29 PM
Thank you Geoffrey. Blessings over Epiphany's unfolding. Best wishes to you all, and thank you especially Sue for all your efforts in making these online presentations possible.
From Tesa Jalandoni to Everyone 08:30 PM
Thank you for the wonderful story and the wonderful experience of the 12 holy nights with all that has been presented in this community.
From James to Everyone 08:31 PM
Thanks to Sue and Adrian.
From Smadar Bunzl to Everyone 08:32 PM
thank you Liora!
From Becky McGrath to Everyone 08:32 PM
Thank you for everything! 🥰
From Elizebeth to Everyone 08:32 PM
thank you very much Geoffrey what a lovey ending to the holy Nights to send us grace into the New Year.
From Lisa’s iPad (2) to Everyone 08:32 PM
Thank you!
From Sue Peat to Everyone 08:32 PM
[email protected] or bank transfere to Adrian Hotten, sort code: 07-01-16 account number: 31466776

25/01/2023

A REVIEW

“The Story of the Fourth Wise Man” by Henry Van D**e, presented by Geoffrey Norris. A Review.

Every January at Epiphany I am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a Galette des Rois, at Phillippe Conticini, - a favourite cafe/patisserie of mine in Camden Town. It is a wonderful, almond-based sweet prepared expressly for and sold at the Feast of the Epiphany memorializing the visit of the Three Magi/Kings or Wise Men to Bethlehem to honour the infant Jesus.. It cannot be purchased at any other time of year. It is a special treat for me.

This year, however, I was lucky enough to have be granted another treat that equaled the Gallete - it was Geoffrey Norris’ presentation of The Story of the Fourth Wise Man by Henry van D**e read on Zoom on the last of the Holy Nights. The sweetness of van D**e’s words are in themselves a treat. However, Geoffrey Norris’ performance only added to the goodness of the tale.

I was alternatively entertained, inspired, cheered, moved, tearful and then wholesomely restored to what I can only describe as a sense of “belonging in the right place”. Norris’ facility took the experience beyond the simple reading of the story. He infused the narrative with an inner truth that quite literally seemed to glow. Embodying at different times not only the thoughts and feelings of the Narrator telling the story but also those of Artaban, the Median – the Other Wise Man, who in the words of Van D**e :

“also saw the star in its rising, and set out to follow it, yet did not arrive with his brethren in the presence of the young child Jesus. “ Of the great desire of this fourth pilgrim, and how it was denied, yet accomplished in the denial; of his many wanderings and the probation's of his soul; of the long way of his seeking, and the strange way of his finding, the One whom he sought—I would tell the tale as I have heard fragments of it in the Hall of Dreams, in the palace of the Heart of Man..”

Norris’ rare gift as a Storyteller is remarkable as he inhabits each character, each moment and each emotion with a kind of therapeutic, healing warmth. It certainly had a cathartic effect on me and other listeners as they seemed to be visibly moved and cheered.

As a Drama-therapist, dealing much with the soulful healing that clients experience from the cathartic value of fairy tales, narratives, biographies and autoethnoraphy, such a skilled telling as Norris brought us is enormously valuable and warrants a wider arena. It would be worthwhile if these “live” readings could be transformed into CD recordings which would give it a greater practical usefulness in education, therapeutic application as well as good and inspiring listening pleasure.

Certainly, if you have a chance to catch a reading that Geoffrey may give I would certainly say it would be something special that I feel sure you would value doing.

Bruce Howard Bayley
HCPC Registered Dramatherapist
Founder: tribhuvan threefold psycho-spiritual dramatherapy
Anthroposophical Study and Research

07/10/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ZZX-aNa0s

Casper Hauser. Written by Lars Thor Smith. Spoken by Geoff Norris.

30/08/2022

Sounding the Silence /Moving Voice and Speaking Body - Geoff Norris
Saturday 3rd December
Venue: Rudolf Steiner House 35 Park Road London NW1 6XT
10.00 – 16.00
This introductory workshop in Steiner Creative Speech will explore the mechanics and dynamics of the spoken word leading to a more integrated and grounded use of the creative power of speech. Starting from movement and gesture we will explore the spheres of presence and delivery, looking at qualities of breath, gesture, musicality, rhythm, intonation, phrasing, and emphasis, leading to a relaxed, imagination-filled power of expression.
The workshop is open to all who have an interest in strengthening their powers of communication, but especially those who are involved in the performing arts, as well as poets, teachers, and lecturers. All participants need to learn a short text in their mother tongue (monologue, poem or descriptive passage/story of 2-5 min in duration), be prepared to dive playfully into the creative dance of language and be open to experiencing the grandeur and power of inspiration.
Geoff Norris is an actor, director, storyteller, speech, drama and movement teacher with over 46 years of experience both teaching and performing.
He is a master teacher of “Steiner Creative Speech” and has given many workshops worldwide, integrating the approaches of Rudolf Steiner, Michael Chekhov, Viola Spolin, Wilton Cole, and others including his own, to a wide variety of participants, actors, singers, dancers, teachers, therapists, students and interested lay people.
He also runs a bespoke training for those interested in gaining a Goetheanum recognised Diploma in Steiner Creative Speech.
For more information: www.speechanddramastudio.com
‘By bringing a spiritual core element to the work, Geoff Norris has pioneered an efficient and very effective system of training and exploration for actors; regardless of their background or acting experience. He embodies and ably demonstrates the principles of energy and how to bring this into the voice and the body. Fusing his origins in Eurythmy and operating from a spiritual foundation Geoff has created a truly unique and dynamic form of training for the modern actor. I always come away enriched and enlightened from Geoff”s classes and have found it works across the board in many forms of acting from TV to Film, and also theatre’.
Oliver Gatz Actor Bristol Old Vic
Voicing the Silence

The Studio aims to enliven and embody the Speech and Drama impulses of Rudolf and Marie Steiner, and to integrate the work with the techniques of contemporary and compatible theatre innovators.

30/08/2022

The Studio aims to enliven and embody the Speech and Drama impulses of Rudolf and Marie Steiner, and to integrate the work with the techniques of contemporary and compatible theatre innovators.

03/07/2022

Geoff,



This is Rocky Sansom from the Voice and Speech Review (VSR). I’m writing about your VSR article:



Vocal Traditions: Steiner Speech



As you know, your article was a part of the six-year “Vocal Traditions” series in the journal. All the articles in this series have been picked up to become a Routledge book called Vocal Traditions: Training in the Performing Arts, and your article will be one of the chapters!



The book is slated to publish in February 2023. All proceeds go to support VASTA. Below is all the formal information along with a discount as a thank you for being one of the contributing authors.



Congratulations!



It’s my pleasure to share this news with you. Thank you for your article contribution. I’m excited that your article will have an even wider accessibility now that it’s in book form.



Let me know if you have any questions.



All the best!



Rocky







Title: Vocal Traditions: Training in the Performing Arts (London: Routledge, 2023)

ISBN: 978-1-032-40832-3

Planned Publication Date: 20 February 2023





Rockford Sansom, PhD, MFA
Editor
Voice and Speech Review
[email protected]
www.vasta.org/voiceandspeechreview

Thank you for this exciting news ..

25/06/2022

a great experience working in Taiwan

All day workshop in Taiwan . Amazing energy and ability