The Rehearsal Room - acting & drama classes and workshops in Melbourne Victoria Australia

Screen Acting Classes that will change your view of performance

7pm nightly at The Rehearsal Room in Armadale, Melbourne, Australia (and Sundays, too). Plus a very 'hands-on' successful TV Presenter's course.

RECENT ACTOR'S COMMENT ...

" I have attended many workshops over the past few years, and yours are still the best & most memorable. I also believe your presenting course is the best one going around. "

- Selene Ng January '08

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" I have a mate that did a couple of audition workshops, and his acting has improved significantly. There is obviously something very valuable in what you teach. I can't wait to get on board!"

- Nicholas Dubberley, January '08

"I’m so grateful because this experience made me stronger and made me really think about what I really want… and it is definitely acting…I want acting! I want action! ... and I am really loving it all."

- Karla Francisco March '08

Whether you are beginner or an experienced professional this uniquely practical view of the acting process will refine and focus your performance like no other.

Jules Lund attended The Rehearsal Room acting classes in 2002 to prepare for his role as a presenter.

"I still use the 5 point checklist … make sure I am externally focused … all that stuff we learnt about in the Rehearsal Room.

I do it because it works." (MORE ...)

- Jules Lund "Getaway"; "Dancing on Ice"; " Big Questions"

These Screen Acting Workshops will lead you to the best way -

to be 'real'
to deliver the scene
to take direction
to balance character and drama
to audition

"You get a solid foundation for your acting, with Richard. Acting is about making choices and trusting them, this process will help you do that."

- Paul O'Brien "Home & Away" (HSV-7)

Through all levels of these classes a unique view of the Stanislavski process is presented in a way that will change your view of acting forever. "I am enjoying the classes very much so far, and I think I am receiving the best tuition I have ever had. I have never been taught such theories before …"

- Caroline Harding

"The Rehearsal Room has been a huge learning ground for me.

I have done 4 acting workshops (terms) and each time evolved to another level. The processes taught are easy to understand and they work!" (MORE ...)

- Andi Lew - Melbourne Women (HSV-7); Shopping for Love (GTV-9); Beyond The Boundary (Channel 10)

Are you told your acting is too big for the screen? Do your have difficulty working out why your character is in the scene? Do you have difficulty making big changes and taking direction quickly? Do you fear doing a cold read?

Do you want to act but fear you don't have the talent?

Richard Sarell believes "Acting is simple. Its all the things we let get in the way of a good performance that makes acting hard."

Simple things are easy to do. . . . . . . Hard processes invite failure.

"That is what is so invaluable about The Rehearsal Room and Richard as a teacher … the personal attention and open forum he provides to get to the root of problems, discuss them and ultimately … fix them.

The more workshops and classes I have attended the more I trust the process and the more solid it becomes." (MORE ...)

- Jackie Rae Lythgo "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" MTC & STC

Richard Sarell has been directing TV drama for over 25 years. His shows have won awards for Best Actress, Best TV Series, and been nominated for an International Emmy.

This experience brings a hands-on practical approach to the acting process he teaches.

(Above: Richard Sarell with Kerry Armstrong working on MDA - ABC TV)

The years of auditioning and directing actors have given him a deep insight into no-nonsense paths to creating good performance.

These classes are not about vague and confusing acting theories. They provide a clear and practical way to efficiently and professionally get on with doing the job either in front of the camera or on stage.

(Right: Richard Sarell on the set of MDA - ABC TV)

"I have observed leading teacher directors in the US and UK and Richard shares with them that facility to guide actors through the guff to the heart of the scene."

- David Paterson (Lost, Neighbours, On The Beach, Blue Heelers)

The Rehearsal Room uses simple principles. This means the actor can be in control of their choices. They can change performance easily, quickly and confidently.

Professionals everywhere use processes that produce a high percentage return.It's no different for actors. You need to use an approach that has the most chance of producing a good outcome.

(Above: Richard Sarell with Steve Kearney working on MDA - ABC TV)

"The Rehearsal Room "language" gives me as an actor, a really good basis for communication across the board and a way of interpreting what other directors/ actors are trying to say. It's a really practical way of avoiding confusion and uncertainty when I'm working with someone whose way of working is unfamiliar.

Richard Sarell is a wonderful teacher - kind, perceptive, encouraging and with a passion for his work that makes every class a joy." (MORE …)

- Caroline Lloyd, Neighbours (regular guest cast)

Stand out from the crowd. These workshops make professional actors better, bolder and more hirable.

"After studying acting in California and New York with top
professionals nowhere have I found the Stanislavski technique as effectively applied to film and television work. Richard's workshops provide an essential anchor; with such clarity you will be able to apply the knowledge to all your work. "

- Cecelia Specht (Las Vegas, Star Trek Entreprise, Accent Coach "Blonde")

Richard has a designed a course that builds core skills. It is explained with commonsense clarity. Four levels provide a clearly developed pathway to understanding.

"The Rehearsal Room process became a basic foundation for me. With a solid foundation wheels don't fall too far from the wagon. The process gives me a readiness during the non-working period - and when the opportunity strikes I face it calmly and confidently - KNOWING that I've been doing it all along." (MORE ...)

- Frieda McKenna "We Can Be Heros" ABC-TV; "The Wedge" ATV-10

'Understanding' and 'experience' build skill. At The Rehearsal Room you get a balanced diet of both these elements. Mostly, actors are schooled in a limited amount of useful knowledge and a lot of experience/practice. This means that often you spend a lot of time practicing unproductive techniques. Don't waste your time.

"Having worked with a number of your students now, I have been extremely impressed by the improvement in their craft. Without reservation I can heartily recommend The Rehearsal Room classes."

- Richard Jasek (Director MacLeod's Daughters, Secret Life of Us, Blue Heelers, Horace and Tina, Heart Break High)

Find out the facts that are useful. Acting classes should be generating continued growth in performance. Nowhere else will you achieve such a clear understanding of how acting works.

"His years as a director have given him an extremely keen eye to problem solve for students individually. I would definitely recommend The Rehearsal Room as a very useful resource for working or budding actors. " (MORE ...)

- Felicity Soper, MDA, Neighbours, Richmond Hill

Stanislavski theory is wonderful. But mostly it is taught in a confusing and impractical way. Tertiary acting institutions frequently teach a variety of other methods too, leaving the student to choose what suits them best. The Rehearsal Room specializes in one point of view. It is understood, it is practiced and it works.

"I have learnt more in a few weeks at The Rehearsal Room than I did in a 3 year Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre performance …These classes are suitable for anyone, people with no experience to people with plenty, you can always teach an old dog new tricks and believe me it makes life so much simpler." (MORE ...)

- Christine Dixon B.A.

Plus there are other classes which focus on Audition Skills, Monologues (a DVD for secondary school students) and TV Presenting. FOR THE FULL LIST ...

"Richard's acting coaching has always given me the confidence to front up to any audition knowing I have the character in the bag. The audition workshops have given me fantastic exposure to casting agents and the feedback that I have received gives me the assurance that the Rehearsal Room process works every time. " (MORE ...)

- Darren Mort (Neighbours, Blue Heelers)

"At THE REHEARSAL ROOM … I was able to quickly overcome my long held misconceptions about what acting is and was ushered into a place of freedom, spontaneity and connection within the scene." (MORE ...)

- Glen Quinn (Mamma Mia - national tour)