Workshops and responses
Bella leads workshops for professional actors and drama groups schools, universities and teachers, on a variety of “to order” subjects, including:
Regularly praised by actors, students and teachers alike for her energy, commitment, and passion for the subjects of acting and teaching, here are just a handful of responses to some of her workshops:
"Bella has been one of my go-to practitioners when I have been examining and building my own practice over the last two years. Her publication Facing the Fear was a crucial text referred to during my investigation into the effects of stage-fright in performance. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been able to attend her detailed and intimate workshop. She approaches the work of a trainer from the perspective of actor and this insight and the clarity in which it was imparted through the workshop, was an illuminating and valuable contribution to my education as a trainer."
(Catherine Ruscombe-King, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"It was one of the delights of my life to finally meet Bella whose books have been such an inspiration to me, particularly recently when by coincidence I re-read them to prepare for my active analysis directing this term. Such a joy simply to play and make connections."
(Jake Harders, Community Drama and Diploma Manager, RCSSD)
"Besides [Bella's] wonderful demeanour and presence, I also loved how she carefully scaffolded the learning experience for us. Many times during the workshop, I also felt like I was getting a much more cohesive understanding of Stanislavsky - things were clicking together! She too extra care to answer/cover all our questions, and the most memorable takeaway for me, in particular, was the concept of the 'psychophysics'. I could not have graduated from Actor Training and Coaching without a "felt understanding" of this fundamental learning."(Melissa Chiew, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MFA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"Bella has been one of my go-to practitioners when I have been examining and building my own practice over the last two years. Her publication Facing the Fear was a crucial text referred to during my investigation into the effects of stage-fright in performance. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been able to attend her detailed and intimate workshop. She approaches the work of a trainer from the perspective of actor and this insight and the clarity in which it was imparted through the workshop, was an illuminating and valuable contribution to my education as a trainer."
(Catherine Ruscombe-King, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"Bella demystified Active Analysis and showed it to be an approachable, accessible and incredibly useful technique for script work and devising. She was humble, honest and it was great to see her openness to discovering more about her own practice. It felt like collaborative work not guru worship."
(Matthew Morgan-Stevens, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"I couldn't recommend her more as a scholar, pedagogue and person."
(Parke, Fech, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MFA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"The clarity that Bella is able to offer in her work is testament to both her passion for the subject and also its genuine use for actors."(Jamie Wheeler, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD, 2019.)
'I particularly liked how the work always came back to a connection to your partner in the scene, the sense of dynamic listening - being actively, physically and imaginatively engaged at every moment. [...] I learned a huge amount, while feeling that the whole process was about exploring creativity - the work on awakening the 'inner creative state' is definitely something I will use in the future. A lot. She was allows incredibly nice!" (Georgina Rich, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"Bella’s work with teachers was right on target. The teachers in the seminar had a wide range of knowledge levels and Bella managed to give every one of them a powerful experience. Her gentle and welcoming manner made them comfortable and ready to participate and they came away with new insights and ideas. Not only did the teachers replenish their artistic souls but they came away with lessons to teach to their student; she understood what they needed artistically and pedagogically. Bella’s intelligent and engaging approach took them quickly and efficiently to higher level thinking and practice. Her knowledge is great in scope and her humble manner makes her students comfortable and ready to learn."
(Roberta Wells-Famula, Director of Education, The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego)
"Absolutely brilliant, intense, thought-provoking and also fun!" (Actors Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"Fantastic, enlightening, extremely rewarding, you will gain so much knowledge."
(Actors Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"If you want to find the connection between your voice, mind and body, this workshop will help you enormously." (Actor's Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"Excellent pace – packed with useful stuff that had been specially selected and researched for my particular group’s needs. – Phenomenal." (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: R. Davis, Head of Drama, Netherhall School, Bury St Edmunds.)
Bella was excellent – her energy and enthusiasm were captivating and the students used her exercises and ideas in their own work on their A level practical the next day. They also used material from the workshop to put into their portfolios for the A level practical. (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: Caroline Schilt, Head of Drama, Brighton and Hove School.)
"Excellent work – everyone 100% involved and learning. It put Stanislavsky into perspective.". (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: Mrs Crisp, Head of Drama, Hartismere High School.)
"The epitome of a course leader - outstanding and excellent knowledge. Excellent communication. Excellent structure and review built into two days." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: R. Warner, Head of Drama, Aylesbury Grama School, UK)
"Great, accurate and passionately inspiring leader. Perfect." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: D. Bek, Independent Film-maker)
"Absolutely great - I learnt so much." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: H. de Mattos, Head of Drama, St James Senior Girls School, UK)
"A great workshop leader. The pace was exactly right and no questions felt silly or unworthwhile."
(National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: L. Tullett, Drama Teacher, Woldingham School, UK)
"I was a student of yours at UCR in 2015. I remember your passion and worship towards the craft of acting, and your techniques are some I still keep under my sleeve. What an enlightening experience it was to be trained under your wings, and for that I am more than grateful. [...] it changed my life FOREVER. [...] I will never be able to play you back for this. EVER. So I write this thank you email, because it's the least I could do." (UCR alumnus, 2019.)
Fees for workshops are negotiable depending on venue, group size, and subject of workshop.
- The Psychophysical Actor
- Stanislavsky's Active Analysis
- Verbatim Theatre & Fact-Based Drama
- The Inner Creative State
- Brecht and Stanislavsky
- Michael Chekhov’s techniques
- Shakespeare and the Power of Language
- Devising and Collaboration
Regularly praised by actors, students and teachers alike for her energy, commitment, and passion for the subjects of acting and teaching, here are just a handful of responses to some of her workshops:
"Bella has been one of my go-to practitioners when I have been examining and building my own practice over the last two years. Her publication Facing the Fear was a crucial text referred to during my investigation into the effects of stage-fright in performance. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been able to attend her detailed and intimate workshop. She approaches the work of a trainer from the perspective of actor and this insight and the clarity in which it was imparted through the workshop, was an illuminating and valuable contribution to my education as a trainer."
(Catherine Ruscombe-King, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"It was one of the delights of my life to finally meet Bella whose books have been such an inspiration to me, particularly recently when by coincidence I re-read them to prepare for my active analysis directing this term. Such a joy simply to play and make connections."
(Jake Harders, Community Drama and Diploma Manager, RCSSD)
"Besides [Bella's] wonderful demeanour and presence, I also loved how she carefully scaffolded the learning experience for us. Many times during the workshop, I also felt like I was getting a much more cohesive understanding of Stanislavsky - things were clicking together! She too extra care to answer/cover all our questions, and the most memorable takeaway for me, in particular, was the concept of the 'psychophysics'. I could not have graduated from Actor Training and Coaching without a "felt understanding" of this fundamental learning."(Melissa Chiew, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MFA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"Bella has been one of my go-to practitioners when I have been examining and building my own practice over the last two years. Her publication Facing the Fear was a crucial text referred to during my investigation into the effects of stage-fright in performance. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been able to attend her detailed and intimate workshop. She approaches the work of a trainer from the perspective of actor and this insight and the clarity in which it was imparted through the workshop, was an illuminating and valuable contribution to my education as a trainer."
(Catherine Ruscombe-King, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"Bella demystified Active Analysis and showed it to be an approachable, accessible and incredibly useful technique for script work and devising. She was humble, honest and it was great to see her openness to discovering more about her own practice. It felt like collaborative work not guru worship."
(Matthew Morgan-Stevens, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"I couldn't recommend her more as a scholar, pedagogue and person."
(Parke, Fech, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MFA, RCSSD, 2019.)
"The clarity that Bella is able to offer in her work is testament to both her passion for the subject and also its genuine use for actors."(Jamie Wheeler, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD, 2019.)
'I particularly liked how the work always came back to a connection to your partner in the scene, the sense of dynamic listening - being actively, physically and imaginatively engaged at every moment. [...] I learned a huge amount, while feeling that the whole process was about exploring creativity - the work on awakening the 'inner creative state' is definitely something I will use in the future. A lot. She was allows incredibly nice!" (Georgina Rich, Graduate on Actor Training and Coaching MA, RCSSD)
"Bella’s work with teachers was right on target. The teachers in the seminar had a wide range of knowledge levels and Bella managed to give every one of them a powerful experience. Her gentle and welcoming manner made them comfortable and ready to participate and they came away with new insights and ideas. Not only did the teachers replenish their artistic souls but they came away with lessons to teach to their student; she understood what they needed artistically and pedagogically. Bella’s intelligent and engaging approach took them quickly and efficiently to higher level thinking and practice. Her knowledge is great in scope and her humble manner makes her students comfortable and ready to learn."
(Roberta Wells-Famula, Director of Education, The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego)
"Absolutely brilliant, intense, thought-provoking and also fun!" (Actors Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"Fantastic, enlightening, extremely rewarding, you will gain so much knowledge."
(Actors Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"If you want to find the connection between your voice, mind and body, this workshop will help you enormously." (Actor's Centre, London: Participant: Introduction to Stanislavsky's Toolkit)
"Excellent pace – packed with useful stuff that had been specially selected and researched for my particular group’s needs. – Phenomenal." (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: R. Davis, Head of Drama, Netherhall School, Bury St Edmunds.)
Bella was excellent – her energy and enthusiasm were captivating and the students used her exercises and ideas in their own work on their A level practical the next day. They also used material from the workshop to put into their portfolios for the A level practical. (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: Caroline Schilt, Head of Drama, Brighton and Hove School.)
"Excellent work – everyone 100% involved and learning. It put Stanislavsky into perspective.". (National Theatre In-Service Training for Teachers: Mrs Crisp, Head of Drama, Hartismere High School.)
"The epitome of a course leader - outstanding and excellent knowledge. Excellent communication. Excellent structure and review built into two days." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: R. Warner, Head of Drama, Aylesbury Grama School, UK)
"Great, accurate and passionately inspiring leader. Perfect." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: D. Bek, Independent Film-maker)
"Absolutely great - I learnt so much." (National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: H. de Mattos, Head of Drama, St James Senior Girls School, UK)
"A great workshop leader. The pace was exactly right and no questions felt silly or unworthwhile."
(National Theatre, In Service Training for Teachers: L. Tullett, Drama Teacher, Woldingham School, UK)
"I was a student of yours at UCR in 2015. I remember your passion and worship towards the craft of acting, and your techniques are some I still keep under my sleeve. What an enlightening experience it was to be trained under your wings, and for that I am more than grateful. [...] it changed my life FOREVER. [...] I will never be able to play you back for this. EVER. So I write this thank you email, because it's the least I could do." (UCR alumnus, 2019.)
Fees for workshops are negotiable depending on venue, group size, and subject of workshop.