The Workshop Professional Actors Studio Birmingham

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The Workshop Professional Actors Studio Birmingham

MONTHLY MASTERCLASSES FOR ACTORS IN BIRMINGHAM
* Theatre, TV, film & audio
* Filmed pieces
* Sessions with visiting industry professionals

25/09/2026

3 SPACES LEFT!

TV SCRIPT WORKSHOP

How different can the same scene feel when you play it opposite a different actor?

This October, we’ll be working with TV scripts, exploring scenes, characters, subtext and different ways of approaching the same material.

Two weeks before the session, you’ll receive a script to really familiarise yourself with — preferably learn it.

During the session, we’ll:

• Work on scenes and characters
• Explore different takes and interpretations
• Play with subtext and what’s happening beneath the words
• Experiment with different castings and scene partners
• Explore how the same script feels when played opposite different actors
• Film the scenes so you can watch your work back afterwards

The aim is to give you the opportunity to experiment, make choices and discover what happens when you approach a scene in different ways.

You’ll receive your filmed scenes after the session, giving you the chance to reflect on your work and see what you can learn from it.

WHEN: Saturday 10th October 2026, 2–5pm
WHERE: The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
COST: £38, payable in advance

Places are strictly limited and your place is confirmed once payment has been received.

Come prepared to play, experiment and get stuck into some great TV material.

HOW TO BOOK: email [email protected]

www.estherstanford.co.uk

14/09/2026

TV SCRIPT WORKSHOP

How different can the same scene feel when you play it opposite a different actor?

This October, we’ll be working with TV scripts, exploring scenes, characters, subtext and different ways of approaching the same material.

Two weeks before the session, you’ll receive a script to really familiarise yourself with — preferably learn it.

During the session, we’ll:

• Work on scenes and characters
• Explore different takes and interpretations
• Play with subtext and what’s happening beneath the words
• Experiment with different castings and scene partners
• Explore how the same script feels when played opposite different actors
• Film the scenes so you can watch your work back afterwards

The aim is to give you the opportunity to experiment, make choices and discover what happens when you approach a scene in different ways.

You’ll receive your filmed scenes after the session, giving you the chance to reflect on your work and see what you can learn from it.

WHEN: Saturday 10th October 2026, 2–5pm
WHERE: The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
PAYMENT: £38, payable in advance

Places are strictly limited and your place is confirmed once payment has been received.

To book email [email protected] or DM.

If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Come prepared to play, experiment and get stuck into some great TV material.

04/09/2026

THE CREATIVE ACTOR — JANUARY 2027

I’ve moved the eight-week acting lab to January, and I’m really looking forward to starting the year with this course.

The Creative Actor is an eight-week space to experiment, make bold choices, develop your own acting toolkit and create original work.

We’ll work with character, improvisation, voice, screen acting, scene work, different approaches to technique and creating original material.

The aim isn’t to find one “right” way to act. It’s about experimenting with different approaches and working out what actually works for you.

We’ll take risks. Get things wrong. Make things. Film.

And we’ll ask:

What makes you interesting?
What do you have to say?
What choices do you make when nobody tells you what to do?
What happens when you stop trying to give the “right” performance?

The course will culminate in an informal sharing of some of the work we’ve created together.

6 January – 24 February 2027
Wednesday evenings · 7–9.30pm
The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham
One session will take place at The Crescent Theatre.

£200 — payable in full or by instalments.

Places are limited.

DM me or email me if you’d like to join.
www.estherstanford.co.uk

28/08/2026

WHAT: THE CREATIVE ACTOR
Finding Your Voice · Making Bold Choices · Creating Original Work

An 8-week acting lab in Birmingham this autumn.
A space to explore, experiment and play with different aspects of acting — character, improvisation, voice, screen acting, scene work and creating original material.
We’ll try different approaches to the work, different acting techniques and different ways of building a character, and we’ll look at what actually works for you.
Because I don’t believe there’s one right way to be an actor.
No actor has to have one fixed practice. You take what you need, when you need it. One approach might unlock something that another doesn’t. The point isn’t to follow a method religiously — it’s to build your own toolkit.
We’ll experiment. We’ll take risks. We’ll get things wrong. We’ll make things.
And we’ll ask:
What makes you interesting?
What do you have to say?
What choices do you make when nobody tells you what to do?
What happens when you stop trying to give the “right” performance?
Across the eight weeks we’ll work with character, improvisation, voice, screen acting, different approaches to technique, scene work and original material — culminating in an informal sharing of some of the work we’ve created together.
We’ll also be filming large portions of your work.

WHO’S IT FOR?
Actors at all stages of their career — from early professionals to seasoned performers. Not suitable for complete beginners.

WHEN:
Wednesday nights.
7th October-25th November 2026 inclusive
2-5pm

WHERE:
The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham

PAYMENT:
£250

WHO RUNS IT?
Led by award-winning actor, writer, director, podcaster, and producer Esther Stanford.
Trained at the BAFTA-winning Television Workshop, Esther brings over 30 years of experience across stage, screen, and audio — from the BBC to the RSC. She works both in front of and behind the camera, and as an on-set acting coach. Esther also offers 1–1 coaching for professional actors and has two TV shows currently in development with a BAFTA-winning production company.

WANT TO BOOK?
DM me or email [email protected] reserve your space or ask any quest

26/08/2026

I’ve been having lots of conversations with creatives over on the aptly titled “Conversations With Creatives”.

What is becoming more and more apparent to me is how important it is to be able to develop your own work, your own voice, the ability to really play, take charge of your own career a bit more, try different acting styles, build your own toolkit AND be in a safe space with other creatives.
People to be inspired by, bounce ideas off.

So, I’m running The Creative Actor from October.
An 8 week actors lab.
All of the information should be in the carousel.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or queries.

To book please email [email protected]
Places are limited.

www.estherstanford.co.uk

21/08/2026

And now for something a bit different…

WHAT: THE CREATIVE ACTOR
Finding Your Voice · Making Bold Choices · Creating Original Work

An 8-week acting lab in Birmingham this autumn.
A space to explore, experiment and play with different aspects of acting — character, improvisation, voice, screen acting, scene work and creating original material.
We’ll try different approaches to the work, different acting techniques and different ways of building a character, and we’ll look at what actually works for you.
Because I don’t believe there’s one right way to be an actor.
No actor has to have one fixed practice. You take what you need, when you need it. One approach might unlock something that another doesn’t. The point isn’t to follow a method religiously — it’s to build your own toolkit.
We’ll experiment. We’ll take risks. We’ll get things wrong. We’ll make things.
And we’ll ask:
What makes you interesting?
What do you have to say?
What choices do you make when nobody tells you what to do?
What happens when you stop trying to give the “right” performance?
Across the eight weeks we’ll work with character, improvisation, voice, screen acting, different approaches to technique, scene work and original material — culminating in an informal sharing of some of the work we’ve created together.

WHO’S IT FOR?
Actors at all stages of their career — from early professionals to seasoned performers. Not suitable for complete beginners.

WHEN:
Wednesday nights.
7th October-25th November 2026 inclusive
2-5pm

WHERE:
The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham

PAYMENT:
£250

WHO RUNS IT?
Led by award-winning actor, writer, director, podcaster, and producer Esther Stanford.
Trained at the BAFTA-winning Television Workshop, Esther brings over 30 years of experience across stage, screen, and audio — from the BBC to the RSC. She works both in front of and behind the camera, and as an on-set acting coach. Esther also offers 1–1 coaching for professional actors and has two TV shows currently in development with a BAFTA-winning production company.

WANT TO BOOK?
DM me or email [email protected] reserve your space or ask any questions.

www.estherstanford.co.uk

19/08/2026

SEPTEMBER’S MONTHLY MASTERCLASS:
COMEDY

WHAT:
Learn to trust your instincts, think on your feet, and thrive in comedy.
We’ll explore how to create spontaneous, truthful moments while building confidence and presence — and discover new ways to think outside the box as an actor.

This session will focus on:
• Exploring the fundamentals of comedy improvisation and what makes a scene funny
• Developing confidence in making bold choices and committing to them
• Learning to listen, react and build with your scene partner
• Exploring timing, rhythm, physicality and the unexpected
• Developing scenes and create playful, spontaneous work
• Finding comedy through character, situation and truthful behaviour
• Letting go of overthinking and trusting your instincts

WHO’S IT FOR?
Actors at all stages of their career — from early professionals to seasoned performers. Not suitable for complete beginners.

WHEN:
Saturday 12th September 2026
2-5pm

WHERE:
The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

PAYMENT:
£38

WHO RUNS IT?
Led by award-winning actor, writer, director, podcaster, and producer Esther Stanford.
Trained at the BAFTA-winning Television Workshop, Esther brings over 30 years of experience across stage, screen, and audio — from the BBC to the RSC. She works both in front of and behind the camera, and as an on-set acting coach. Esther also offers 1–1 coaching for professional actors and has two TV shows currently in development with a BAFTA-winning production company.

WANT TO BOOK?
DM me or email [email protected] to reserve your space or ask any questions.
www.estherstanford.com

theworkshopactorsstudio birmingham

10/08/2026

TWO SPACES LEFT!

WHAT: Saturday 15th August, 2–5pm – Playing with Subtext

This workshop is for actors who want to explore one of the most powerful tools in performance — subtext. The art of what your character really means beneath the words they say.

Across the session, we’ll work practically to:

• Understand what your character really means beneath the words they speak

• Make layered, specific choices that reveal hidden thought and feeling

• Explore how subtext changes the way a scene is played — and watched

• Develop stillness, silence and intention to communicate what words alone can’t

• Use filmed work as a tool for reflection, growth, and learning

The group will also film their work during the class, and footage will be shared afterwards for personal reflection and development.

The focus is on grounded, connected performances where every choice has meaning — and what’s left unsaid is just as powerful as what is.

Led by

Professional actor training in a supportive, practical environment.

WHEN: Saturday 15th August 2026, 2–5pm

WHERE: The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

PAYMENT: £38
Places are limited.

Email [email protected] or message to book.

20/07/2026

AUGUST CLASS NOW ON SALE!

WHAT: Saturday 15th August, 2–5pm – Playing with Subtext

This workshop is for actors who want to explore one of the most powerful tools in performance — subtext. The art of what your character really means beneath the words they say.

Across the session, we’ll work practically to:

• Understand what your character really means beneath the words they speak

• Make layered, specific choices that reveal hidden thought and feeling

• Explore how subtext changes the way a scene is played — and watched

• Develop stillness, silence and intention to communicate what words alone can’t

• Use filmed work as a tool for reflection, growth, and learning

The group will also film their work during the class, and footage will be shared afterwards for personal reflection and development.

The focus is on grounded, connected performances where every choice has meaning — and what’s left unsaid is just as powerful as what is.

Led by

Professional actor training in a supportive, practical environment.

WHEN: Saturday 15th August 2026, 2–5pm

WHERE: The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

PAYMENT: £38
Places are limited.

Email [email protected] or message to book.

29/05/2026

SOLD OUT

The June class SCRIPT TO SCREEN has now sold out.
The July class will go on sale on Monday 15th June and the class will be on Saturday July 18th, 2-5pm Central Birmingham.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the monthly classes please email [email protected]

www.estherstanford.co.uk

Address

London

Website

http://www.estherstanford.co.uk/

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