Category Archives for "Acting Classes & Workshops"

Apr 20

Acting – Advanced Workshop Class

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

Advanced Workshop

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

Tutors:



Thursday 20 April – 22 June

10 weeks

7.00pm to 9.30pm

Richard Sarell
Kyahl Anderson

ENROL NOW

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULLY AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH LIVE FACE-TO-FACE TEACHING
email Richard@rehearsalroom.com or ring 0407 226 620 for more details  
BUILD YOUR SKILLS WHILE KEEPING RISK FREE

This is a workshop for experienced actors. You will learn the broad array of sophisticated techniques that have been developed at The Rehearsal Room. Making powerful decisions that engage an audience, balancing the character against the action, managing performance intensity and character complexity will all become effectively within your control.

David Paterson Chopper, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Saving Mr. Banks, Frost Nixon

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.

What will be covered in this course?

1) Master a new acting vocabulary

Put yourself in charge of a new terminology that is totally focused on practical outcomes. The understanding you will achieve of how your acting techniques empower and activate your choices will liberate you.

2) Refine professional skills that put you in charge

These techniques will enable you to stand tall in any professional discussion about character or story and the best ways to deliver them.

3) Avoid making clichéd choices

Actors frequently make predictable choices without even knowing it. The Rehearsal Room techniques will teach you how to avoid the obvious cliché. They will also teach you how to make the obvious choice richly complex and potently real.

4) Learn how to REALLY serve the text

There is much taught about analyzing the text but the majority of that instruction is based on a ‘literary model’. Refine your understanding of story and how the writer creates the script. Put yourself in charge of the interpretation of that script with common sense and powerful techniques that are practical for the actor. This is the powerhouse of the actor’s decision-making process.

5) Realize the connection between physical action and the dialogue

Physical action and the purpose of the conversation are inextricably linked. In life they are united. It must be the same for the actor.

6) Understand the way the actor’s mind makes decisions

Actors frequently make decisions that they ‘feel’ are right but can’t explain with clarity. They can’t explain them because often they don’t actually make sense. Understanding how the mind makes decisions is very useful for the actor.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You have good foundations in place and want to build your skills more in a practical and sophisticated way
  • Your understanding of process is strong but you need bigger challenges to stretch your capabilities
  • You love what you do but you want to find out more
  • You want a bigger repertoire of skills to keep a performance fresh and vital
  • You know you can push your skills further but aren’t clear how to do it

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • You will make the same mistakes over
  • Will find it hard to change patterns that you know are unproductive
  • Your friends will be polite about your performances but never enthusiastic
  • You will lack confidence that choice you have made is the right one
  • You will believe everything a director tells you even when it doesn’t make sense
  • You won’t be able to interpret direction in a practical way

ABOUT RICHARD...

The major element that excites Richard about The Rehearsal Room acting process is that for thirty years it has continued to evolve. It has never lost any of its original goals but more and more practical ways of fulfilling those goals have continually emerged.

Richard makes sure that there are simple rules that assess the quality and practicality of new understandings. Those rules include...

· is the new concept simple and active

· does the new concept reflect life

· can the whole concept be clearly defined in a very short sentence

· can you do it

· does it produce an instant result.

It’s the possibility of a new discovery that gets Richard out of bed each morning with enthusiasm for the day ahead. The discoveries might come from finding a new perspective on how our minds make decisions in a psychology book. Or it might be some buried ingredient in one of the standard acting texts. But discoveries often come from an actor in a class. Because actors are empowered by The Rehearsal Room process to think about the practicalities of their choices sometimes they have sudden realizations about a new concept. And new techniques often emerge when Richard is trying to find another way to explain an existing concept.

Because the foundations of this process are so strong the new concepts always conform to the original overall goals. But Richard finds it exciting, even inspiring, to see what emerges next. You will find it exciting too. And you will also be inspired to continue the quest for further understanding.

THIS COURSE STARTS - Thurs 20 April 2023

MELBOURNE


ENROL NOW

Learn skills you will use throughout your career. Learn to be real, to be versatile, to be a great listener and to be skilled in auditions. The Advanced Workshop will make you the director’s best friend.

Nov 22

WEBINAR 10: Monologues

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 10: Monologues

Dates:

Sunday 22 November

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Times:

6:30pm - 8:00pm Melbourne
7:30am - 9:00am London
8:30pm - 1opm New Zealand

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10AUD

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 10:
5 star rating



 "Great skills you can apply ... with immediate results" - Travis Waite (Melbourne)​​
"The webinar was brilliant! The demonstrations. were the best part of it." - Kanapathipillai Kapilthev (Sri Lanka)
"Don't be fooled by his humility, Richard is an exceptional teacher." - Janet Watson-Kruse (Melbourne)

On the whole actors love doing monologues.

So ... why do monologues go wrong so often?  

In WEBINAR 10: you will learn where all the traps are; why those traps so cleverly entice you to fall into them; how to recognise them and how to avoid them.

Bring a monologue to the session so you can test out the techniques and see how they work for you.  

WEBINAR 10: on Sunday 15 November 2020 - $10
6:30pm Melbourne;  8:30pm Auckland;  7:30am London 

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 10:

Richard knows his stuff.  He knows what actors must do to be real and he will explain it in simple terms that you can use now.

5-STARS

Kyla K Phoenix  - actor

Getting your choices into the ballpark is the first step for the actor.  Once you have done that understanding how to refine and adjust them without losing your way is the next step.

Because monologues can be really challenging they are a great skill builder for you basic acting process.

Alec Hartnell

"

Richard Sarell is one of the best teachers of acting. The world is lucky to have him in it and I’m so happy I found The Rehearsal Room. Wish I found it years ago! Time and money well spent! 

5-STARS

Alec Hartnell - actor

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

Explore techniques that have been 35 years in development.  They bring a new clarity and functionality to acting technique.  

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 10:
Sunday 22 Oct
6:30pm Melbourne;  8:30pm Auckland;  7:30am London

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Sep 26

WEBINAR 4: The Actor/Director Relationship

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 4:  
The Actor/ Director Relationship
(in the audition room)

Dates:

Sat 26 September

Duration:

1.5 hrs

Times:

11am - 12.30pm

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 4:

Get WEBINAR 5: FREE if you sign up now for WEBINAR 4:
                                              WEBINAR 4: "The Actor/Director Relationship - in the audition room
                                              WEBINAR 5; "The Actor/Director Relationship - on the set

Director Film 1 Paul Burns

90 minute WEBINAR - $10

Director Film 2 Maggie Brittingham

IN THIS WEBINAR two directors will direct two pairs of actors to audition for a character in their short film.   (ACTORS PLEASE NOTE: Although these stories are yet to be shot the castings on this occasion are for the purposes of the Webinar.  The ultimate casting for the shoot will be an entirely separate process.)  Actors can now apply to audition for a role in this Webinar by submitting a self test audition.  Some actors will be chosen directly from the self test, others will perform their callback audition as part of WEBINAR 4: on Saturday 26 September at 11:00am.  More information for Directors HERE.

HERE.

ACTOR'S AUDITIONS - for five characters in two different films.

            FILM 1:    AMELIA (25 - 35);  SIAN (40 - 50) and JESSIE (50 - 60)

              FILM 2:       MUM - Julia (40 - 45) and DAD - David (45 - 50)

The Webinar Difference:  Actors must enrol in the Webinar to be able to apply to audition. ENROL HERE ($10)

EVERY ACTOR WHO APPLIES WILL GET TO SUBMIT A SELF TEST FOR THE CHARACTER OF THEIR CHOICE. DEADLINE FOR SELF TESTS IS 5PM TUESDAY 22 September - all auditioners will receive personal, individual feedback from Richard Sarell.

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 4: NOW

THE WEBINAR PLAN
The two directors are both Honours students.  The films are their final exercise to complete their degree.  Initially actors will be selected from their self test audition. Then some of the actors will be directed in a call back audition at 11:00am Saturday 26 September as part of WEBINAR 4:   The final selection will be made as result of the callbacks.

On Sunday 3 October at 7pm in WEBINAR 5: the successful actors will be directed in another scene from these two short films.

There will be two separate Webinars on the actor/director relationship. During the webinar both directors and actors will receive feedback on the effectiveness of their communications.

THE AIM
Ground Zero for actors and directors is the actual time on set when they are working together.  The focus of these sessions is to learn how actors and directors can best collaborate to produce the dream production they are both working towards.

New creative partnerships might blossom from this collaboration.

THE COST
The cost of each of these one and a half hour webinars is $10 per participant.

ACTORS - once you are enrolled email Richard@rehearsalroom.com with the name of the character you wish to audition for in the subject line.  Richard will then forward you the script.

The deadline for your self test submission is Tuesday 22 September 5pm.
The directors will choose the candidates for the callback audition on Saturday 26 September at 11am.
EACH ACTOR THAT SUBMITS WILL INDEPENDENTLY RECEIVE PERSONAL FEEDBACK FROM RICHARD about their audition.

Directors email your interest HERE

DIRECTORS can still apply
If you would like the opportunity to actively participate in future Webinars on the actor/director relationship - choose a script - it should be a short film of approximately 10 - 15 minutes that you own or have copyright clearance on.

Then all you have to do is ...

  1. email Richard@rehearsalroom.com
  2. put "Actor/Director WEBINAR" in the subject line
  3. In the body of the email provide a short description of yourself by way of an introduction.
  4. Include a one sentence description of the film you wish to use and the age range of the characters you require.

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 4:
Saturday 26 Sept
11:00am to 12:30pm

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Sep 12

WEBINAR 3: Playing Drunk

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 3:  Playing Drunk (or anything else)

Dates:

Sat 12 September

Duration:

1.5 hrs

Times:

11am - 12.30pm

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10

ENROL NOW

90 minute WEBINAR - $10

                                         ... or bring-a-friend  -  $5 each
There are three common mistakes actors make.  Playing Drunk is one situation in which you could make all three mistakes.  We will use this exercise to discover how to follow a simple and effective decision-making path no matter what acting decision you are making. 

Acting tasks such as playing drunk don't come along very often  -  take this opportunity to be ready to apply yourself to that unusual acting challenge.

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN TESTING OUT THE OPTIONS.

There are very different levels of drunken behaviour.

After two groundbreaking webinars that explore powerful new preparation techniques - this webinar is ... "play time"!!!

That's the plan for WEBINAR 3.          ENROL HERE


In our first 'eye-popping' Webinar "ANATOMY OF A SELF TEST AUDITION" we saw that 68% of actors fell into a basic self test trap.  If you don't know what the trap is  ... you will  fall into it, too!!! 

In Webinar 2: "Improving Your Self Test" six actors tried out our new techniques with outstanding success.  Jump on board for Webinar 3: to find out what happens next.

ENROL HERE

LEARN TO BE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

IMPORTANT:   

Be prepared to do some acting in this session.
Learn a short speech (15 seconds) or learn a short scene with a friend (1 minute)
You could be invited to test out an exercise.

What you will learn in this session?

1) There are many ways to play drunk or drugged

In this session we will explore as many as we can.  Find out which approaches work for you.

2) Analyse different levels of inebriation

You will be able to assess the effectiveness of these techniques yourself.

3) How different actors applying the same parameters reach different results

This will be a greenhouse for the development and growth of our concepts.  

4) Actors will grow their understanding of how to improve their choices

By changing the choices and measuring the outcomes actor will learn to be more flexible and creative.  They will be gain a new confidence when taking direction.

5) Bring your ideas and learn how to learn

Acting is a collaborative art.  Practice sharing ideas and taking direction.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

Saturday 12 Sept
11:00am to 12:30pm

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW

YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Apr 18

Acting Essentials Workshop

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

Acting Essentials

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

Tutors:

7pm Tues 18 April - 20 June

10 weeks

7.00pm to 9.30pm

Richard Sarell
Kyahl Anderson

O

TALK TO RICHARD NOW

OVER FORTY YEARS RICHARD SARELL HAS DIRECTED TOP RATING, AWARD WINNING TV SHOWS. HE NOW COACHES WORLD CLASS ACTORS WITH HIS SIMPLE AND UNIQUE PROCESS.

Perfect for beginners - Essential for experienced actors
email contact@rehearsalroom.com or ring +61 407 226 620 for more information  
THESE UNIQUE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE WORLD WIDE.

The Rehearsal Room process is ever expanding. It continually discovers exciting new add-ons that deliver greater flexibility and understanding.  

The internet has made this unique Australian technique available to you - no matter where you are in the world. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!  You have discovered the acting education you have been seeking all your life but never found.

As a result, you have found the tools to start your acting career here - or advance your established career and book more gigs.

FREE DOWNLOAD:
Avoid falling into the trap that ensnares between 70% - 95% of actors on their first run in the audition room, despite being well prepared.

Casting directors reveal that actors regularly make this mistake without even knowing that they have done so. Here is your chance to remedy a major flaw in actor training.
DOWN LOAD HERE

How To Succeed Where 70% Actors Fail
  • 11 powerful new acting techniques that make your performance shine
  • banish your acting fears and boost your confidence
  • easy to understand theory
  • learn quickly with modern psychology based teaching techniques 
  • use these skills in your next audition in no time at all

Clearly explained acting processes that are easy to understand and quick to apply.

Logical techniques you will use with confidence. 

Gain deep understanding of how they work, why they work and what outcome they produce.

Fix the problems and fill the gaps other acting processes have left you to deal with.

"ACTING REVOLUTION"  COMING SOON on Amazon.  

WHAT MAKES THIS A REVOLUTION?
The Rehearsal Room process will turn what you know about acting upside down.   It will challenge your understanding, fixing your problems and filling in the gaps. Create and modify characters in seconds. Deliver powerful stories through exciting performances.

Auditions made simple. Understand the process.
Know how to OWN YOUR AUDITION!

AKINA EDMONDS LANDS KEY ROLE IN 'HAMILTON'
Why?  Because, in her audition, she delivered.
Akina Edmonds was such a standout choice she was amongst the first to be cast.  
"What's really exciting, and confronting, is that we're asked to bring our own version - truly bring our own version" to the audition she told Vogue magazine.  The version of 'Satisfied' Akina offered nailed it!

"I wanted to look at it like I would for any scene, which is as a conversation," she told Vogue reporter Hannah-Rose Yee. "This is just another conversation."

READ THE VOGUE ARTICLE HERE

Understanding 'conversation' is how Akina nailed her audition!

This revolutionary approach to acting - takes you from reading the script, to preparing the audition and the final performance.

This is a new, unique and powerful tool.

TURN YOUR ACTING TALENT INTO A SKILL.
LEARN A PROCESS THAT IS PRECISE, PRACTICAL and PROFESSIONAL.

If you are an actor who has a problem with nerves or stress this is the course for you?
Nerves are mostly generated by uncertainty.  
There is no longer anything to be nervous about ...
            when you know what you are doing,
                        why you are doing it,
                                    how you will do it
                                               and
                                                      that it will work.

DON'T LEAVE YOUR ACTING CHOICES TO CHANCE!

Crispian Belfrage - London based actor

"

I have completed 14 years of training including 3 years at L.A.M.D.A. in London, 2 years in Stella Adler technique in Los Angeles, and 1 year with Ivanna Chubbuck, plus much more.  But after 12 months online at The Rehearsal Room I am booking great roles in high end projects, through top casting agents.
I understand it. It is simple and it works.

Crispian Belfrage - actor (London)

THE REHEARSAL ROOM IS DIFFERENT
Creative, spontaneous, audience captivating performances result from this unique process.

A production of Shelagh Stephenson's "The Memory of Water" wowed audiences in Melbourne in 2017 with a different performance every night. What other acting process can do that?

It is the clarity and precision of this process that delivers such creative freedom for the actors.

Traditional processes are vague, evocative, confusing and teach acting half-truths. This confusion is detrimental to an actors emotional and professional well being.

The Rehearsal Room guarantees all confusion or doubt will be eliminated. It offers a clear and precise, step-by-step process that YOU will understand.

Wendy Alberni - actor, singer

"

I used to be standing in the wings bathed in sweat and visibly shaking.  Now when I'm waiting for my entrance cue all those nerves have gone away.  I am too busy focusing on my preparation routine to think about whether I am nervous or not. Your process has removed all that stress.  So much fun.

Wendy Alberni - actor, singer

TERTIARY COURSES DISAPPOINT
Three year university courses can be a waste of time for many actors.
Actors often emerge from university degree courses confused and NOT ABLE TO CONFIDENTLY AUDITION.

Free Report exploring the "10 Reasons Why University Trained Actors Don't Get Hired"


NOW THESE SESSIONS ARE ONLINE  it means actors from anywhere in the world can join these Australian devised classes.
Working online has not changed the quality of these classes and neither has it changed how much you will learn from each session.

Actors from around Australia and the world including US, UK, Canada, India, Brazil, New Zealand and Japan have been benefitting from The Rehearsal Room process for the last 24 years

For more information ring +61 407 226620 and book a free one-on-one half-hour  session to sample these techniques.  Alternatively email contact@rehearsalroom.com

WHEN WE WERE WORKING IN A STUDIO THIS WAS HOW ACTORS RESPONDED TO THIS UNIQUE APPROACH TO ACTING PROCESS

A Complete Acting Process

Ann Truong -Romper Stomper, Strike Back, Hard Target 2, Hunters, Schapelle, Neighbours

"Something clicks in every class. It’s an amazing feeling - knowing that you are going to learn something profound but you are yet to have any idea of what that is until it happens. I return each week excited knowing that I am about to experience this." 


What will be covered in this course?

1) Casting Directors want you to be able to change

Actors with university degree courses (like NIDA) are taught to find the perfect performance for a scene.  But in the professional audition room Casting Directors know there isn't one perfect version of a scene.  Casting Directors know there are many options for a scene and the professional actor who can see lots of possibilities is an actor who can take direction.

2) Surprise the Casting Director with your skill

An actor who creates characters that experience real 'moments of surprise' stands out in the audition room and on the set. All the great actors play beautiful moments of surprise. Learn techniques for playing surprises that are ONLY TAUGHT HERE. Moments of surprise are the key to being real in performance.

3) Engage an audience and you will engage a Director

Directors want to hire actors who can engage an audience with the comedy or the drama.  If you can totally engage an audience with your performance, the professionals who want to hire you will instantly recognize your skills.

4) Gain a modern understanding of Stanislavski techniques

This is a no bullshit approach to traditional theories. It cuts through the complexities of other acting processes and explains them in a simple common sense language. You will be empowered by your new understanding of Stanislavski process. This is an acting process that makes sense.

5) Understand story so you can break a scene down quickly

Instead of questioning if you actually understand the story of a scene. Learn how to break down story effortlessly every time.

6) Remove confusions and clearly measure your success

Instead of walking out of an audition feeling flat and confused. Learn how to make every audition count. Acquire skills that enable you to measure your success.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You are looking for a place to start building professional acting techniques
  • The training you received at a reputable school or university confused
  • When the teaching you have experienced kind of makes sense but isn’t clear about what you have to do
  • A feeling that acting and life can be simpler has you looking for more
  • You sense your acting teacher is just directing you how to do a scene not teaching you how to act

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • You will make slow progress trying to find a system that works for you
  • Active realistic listening will probably elude you
  • Flexibility to take direction will be difficult
  • Basic acting skills, like how to end scenes, will be confusing
  • You won’t know how to put yourself in charge of your career
  • An acting process that grows with you and for you won't be a fun part of your life

ABOUT RICHARD...

Richard first discovered the core values of this technique when he was directing drama at the ABC in Melbourne in 1984. In an actor/director workshop run by the marvelous teacher Murray Hutchinson a simple, clear and common sense approach to Constantine Stanislavski’s theories was explained. Richard was captivated by the wonderful practicality of this approach and immediately started exploring it. He also began using it as the foundation of his directing techniques.

After watching Richard direct an actor on the ABC series “Embassy”, experienced British actor Brian Marshall commented, “That was pure Stanislavski!!” Other actors began to notice the difference and soon some began asking Richard to teach them the techniques he was using. Those requests generated what has now become The Rehearsal Room acting school in Melbourne. Over thirty-two years those common sense concepts have continued to develop and evolve.

This is a practical, professional approach focused on delivering the performance outcomes that directors and casting directors are looking for. Unlike any other acting process before it, the main focus of this approach is on engaging and entertaining an audience. Actors who can do that are a sought after commodity. Richard loves teaching it. You will love learning it.

Tuesday 18 April 7pm 2023

Learn skills you will use throughout your career. Learn to be real, to be versatile, to be a great listener and to be skilled in auditions. This workshop lays all the foundations for a professional acting career.






ENQUIRE NOW
Jan 24

The Salon (weekday evening)

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

The Salon (week nights)

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

Tutor:

Full Fee:

Deposit:

TBA - WEEKDAY EVENINGS

4 weeks OR 8 weeks

7pm to 9.30pm weeknights 

Richard Sarell

$250 or $500 weeknights

$61.50

EXPRESS INTEREST HERE

"The Salon"  -  a place for working professionals to practice their skills and explore techniques.

Actors bring their own scenes and determine their own focus for sessions or can choose to use scenes from The Rehearsal Room's files
  

Trained actors and working actors can use The Salon to keep exploring their craft. Supported by an experienced professional director they can also choose to record their scenes or exercises on video to study or analyse before their next session.

David Paterson Chopper, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Saving Mr. Banks, Frost Nixon

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.

EXPRESS INTEREST HERE

What does The Salon provide?

1) A supportive environment to explore your chosen goal

Experienced actors know what they need to work on.  Sometimes they just want to keep working.  That's what The Salon provides - a chance to follow the creative performance path each individual wants to explore.

2) Professional advice and support

Guidance can be helpful to expand challenges or suggest solutions.  Richard Sarell's professional expertise enables him to offer encouragement or alternative options to a variety of performance processes.  Often the best guidance simply clarifies that the actor is on the right path.  Richard will support in actor in their goals.

3) Well organised and productive sessions

A professional working space makes sure that individuals are respected and that goals are clearly organised.  The Salon operates on the basis that actors are clear about their purpose so that they can assess their progress or achievements.

4) Logical and professional strategies will apply

Assessments by other actors and Richard will be logical and clearly argued.  That way they are supportive and the critique is helpful.  Statements such as "I feel that worked" or "I feel that didn't work" are not specific enough.  Debate will be based on clear reasons.

5) Opportunity to expand techniques

Richard specializes in very effective and efficient techniques that have evolved to work at the speed required for TV and screen.  One technique equips actors with between 2 - 10 minutes preparation to attend an audition with 9 options to offer. And switching between those options during an audition takes between 10 - 20 seconds.  Actors interested in exploring those and similar techniques can choose to do so.

6) Flexible use of the time and space

Actors will be supported in using the time and space in the most efficient way to make sure they gain maximum benefit from the sessions

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You have a strong foundation to your acting process and you want to keep working
  • You have had difficulty finding a supportive professional place to work at expanding your skills
  • You know that maintaining your craft means constantly practicing
  • You are committed to your skills but have an open mind to assess the value of new techniques
  • You are confused about some aspects of acting technique and are seeking some clarification

THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF …

  • Your acting process is well oiled, working beautifully and requires no further practice
  • Doubts about your choices for a scene never happen and you are always confident of your preparation for auditions
  • Working quickly for screen performances is no problem for you and you always have lots of options
  • It is too hard to find 2.5 hours a week to work on your acting in your current schedule
  • Missing out on the fun of this great experience won't bother you    🙂

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over 25 years working as a professional TV director Richard worked with actors with widely ranging skill sets.  From the trained but inexperienced to the totally untrained to the highly trained and very experienced.  He always remembers with pride that after giving notes to WAPA trained actor Niki Wendt on the second series of "Embassy" British actor Brian Marshall commented, "That direction was pure Stanislavski." 


Because some actors were not formally trained Richard had to evolve a variety of methods of dealing with them and that's the source of his range of skills to help steer an actor through a scene.  He loves discussing the nuances of acting but does so in very practical ways.  Sharing his views of acting process with actors who have wide experience and skills is very rewarding for him. 

In November 2017 The Rehearsal Room techniques were thoroughly tested in a production of Shelagh Stephenson's "The Memory of Water" which Richard directed. The response from critics and audiences was fantastic.  They loved the vibrantly fresh performances.   

​

One exciting aspect of  this production was that performances were different every night.  There were eleven performances and eleven different endings.  Despite the changes the actors spontaneously brought to each performance the same story was delivered in each show. The result was a rich lifelike spontaneity.  Critics comments such as ... the "performers are subtle, connected, and more truthful with a whisper than many an actor is with a holler" and "truthful to the point we forgot we were seeing a play" ... reveal the success of this approach.

​

 Richard often says, “When I hear actors analyzing the potential problems in a scene and sharing a range of simple solutions my spirits instantly rise."  His unwavering belief is that actors need to be in charge of their choices.








THE FIRST SALON SESSION CAN START AS SOON AS THERE ARE ACTORS TO FILL IT.



​


EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST BELOW

Nov 08

WEBINAR 9: What Kind of Actor Are You?

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 9: What Kind of Actor Are You?

Dates:

Sunday 8 November

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Times:

6:30pm - 8:00pm Melbourne
8:30am - 10am London
9:30pm - 11pm New Zealand

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10AUD

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 9:

WEBINAR 9:  8 November at 6:30pm

5 star rating



 "Great skills you can apply ... with immediate results" - Travis Waite (Melbourne)​​
"The webinar was brilliant! The demonstrations. were the best part of it." - Kanapathipillai Kapilthev (Sri Lanka)
"Don't be fooled by his humility, Richard is an exceptional teacher." - Janet Watson-Kruse (Melbourne)

What kind of actor are you?  
Why do you need to know?  
And what you can do about it?

There'll be lots of interesting examples and the opportunity for you to work out the answers to those questions yourself.

WEBINAR 9: on Sunday 8 November 2020 - $10
6:30pm Melbourne;  8:30pm Auckland;  7:30am London 

Download the scenes once you enrol so you are set to  participate in this interactive, experiential learning experience.

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 9:

Richard knows his stuff.  He knows what actors must do to be real and he will explain it in simple terms that you can use now.

5-STARS

Kyla K Phoenix  - actor

You have acting instincts, don't you!  
Which direction do they point you in?  Do they have a bias?  How do you exploit them?  How do you modify them? Know your strengths?

Understanding how acting process works is the first step.  Knowing how your process works is the next step.  A correct diagnosis of any problem is the straightest pathway to fixing it.  Understanding and celebrating your strengths is essential.

Then take your performance to NEW HEIGHTS.

Alec Hartnell

"

Richard Sarell is one of the best teachers of acting. The world is lucky to have him in it and I’m so happy I found The Rehearsal Room. Wish I found it years ago! Time and money well spent! 

5-STARS

Alec Hartnell - actor

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

Explore techniques that have been 35 years in development.  They bring a new clarity and functionality to acting technique.  

Explore techniques that not only effectively deliver creative choices for the actor but also enable you to measure the chances of success.  

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 8:
Sunday 8 Nov
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  8:30am London

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Oct 25

WEBINAR 8: Acting by Numbers

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 8: Acting by Numbers

Dates:

Sunday 25 October

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Times:

6:30pm - 8:00pm Melbourne
8:30am - 10am London
9:30pm - 11pm New Zealand

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10AUD

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 8:
5 star rating



 "Great skills you can apply ... with immediate results" - Travis Waite (Melbourne)​​
"The webinar was brilliant! The demonstrations. were the best part of it." - Kanapathipillai Kapilthev (Sri Lanka)
"Don't be fooled by his humility, Richard is an exceptional teacher." - Janet Watson-Kruse (Melbourne)

Using a numbers system is a simple and fast way to manage character complexity and control the drama - sounds counterintuitive for an actor, doesn't it?  But it works.  It is a powerfully simple tool that will amaze you with the results it produces..

WEBINAR 8: on Sunday 25 October 2020 - $10
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  9:30am London

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 8:

Richard knows his stuff.  He knows what actors must do to be real and he will explain it in simple terms that you can use now.

5-STARS

Kyla K Phoenix  - actor

Getting your choices into the ballpark is the first step for the actor.  Once you have done that, understanding the value of numbers for the actor can help you stay there.

And on top of that, using numerical values can help you make fine adjustments to a performance. They can also clarify the communications between actor and director.

Alec Hartnell

"

Richard Sarell is one of the best teachers of acting. The world is lucky to have him in it and I’m so happy I found The Rehearsal Room.  Wish I found it years ago! Time and money well spent! 

5-STARS

Alec Hartnell - actor

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

Explore techniques that have been 35 years in development.  They bring a new clarity and functionality to acting technique.  

Explore techniques that not only effectively deliver creative choices for the actor but also enable you to measure the chances of success.  

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 8:
Sunday 25 Oct
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  8:30am London

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Oct 18

WEBINAR 7: Listening

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 7: Listening

Dates:

Sunday 18 October

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Times:

6:30pm - 8:00pm Melbourne
8:30am - 10am London
9:30pm - 11pm New Zealand

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

$10

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 7:
5 star rating



 "It warmed my heart to see such a bunch of serious actors" - Ofer Shafir (Israel)
"The webinar was brilliant! The demonstrations. were the best part of it." - Kanapathipillai Kapilthev (Sri Lanka)
"Don't be fooled by his humility, Richard is an exceptional teacher." - Janet Watson-Kruse (Melbourne)

​Sanford Meisner's techniques are much loved by many actors and directors.
But what are the strengths?  What are the traps? What are the myths?

WEBINAR 7: on Sunday 18 October 2020 - $10
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  9:30am London

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 7:
Alec Hartnell

"

Richard Sarell is one of the best teachers of acting. The world is lucky to have him in it and I’m so happy I found The Rehearsal Room. Wish I found it years ago! Time and money well spent!

5-STARS

Alec Hartnell- actor

Listening is the most fundamental element of the acting process. It's active listening that drives all the actors choices and makes a performance real.

This webinar explores the secret of good listening. It will identify the problem areas that you most regularly face and will get you try a brilliant exercise that is a refreshing application of Meisner technique.

Elizabeth O'Callaghan

"

Richard Sarell is a Master of his craft! In just 90 minutes he delivered a comprehensive webinar, provided many useful tools and devices to explore, as well as a thought provoking discussion.  Really looking forward to the next webinar on the Actor Director relationship.

5-STARS

Elizabeth O'Callaghan - actor

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

Explore techniques that have been 35 years in development.  They bring a new clarity and functionality to acting technique.  

Why do 70% of actors make the same mistake in the audition room?  That's a lot of actors making a basic mistake.

Perhaps there is a fundamental flaw in acting training that is the cause of such a consistent problem.

Explore techniques that not only effectively plan creative actors choices but also enable you to measure the chances of success.  

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 7:
Sunday 18 Oct
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  8:30am London

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

Oct 11

WEBINAR 6: The Actor/Director Relationship Pt3

By Richard Sarell | Acting Classes & Workshops

WEBINAR 6:  FREE
The Actor/ Director Relationship
(on the set)

Dates:

Sunday 11 October

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Times:

6:30pm - 8:00pm (Melbourne time)

Tutors:

Richard Sarell

Fee:

FREE         (usually $10AUD)

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 6:
5 star rating


THE SECOND FREE FIVE STAR WEBINAR

 WEBINAR 6; "The Actor/Director Relationship Pt 3" - working on the set

THIS WEBINAR will explore the techniques that lead to a clear actor/director communication.  ​How to give direction and how to take direction is the focus of this Webinar.

WEBINAR 6: on Sunday 11 October 2020
6:30pm Melbourne;  8:30pm Auckland;  9:30am London 
More information for Directors HERE.

IN WEBINAR 4 - the actors were cast
​IN WEBINAR 5 - we explore fantastic, simple techniques that enable actors to create characters and change them in seconds.  Director's to control the outcomes and the discussion.
THEN IN WEBINAR 6 - the directors apply the processes and the actors deliver their performances.

ENROL FOR WEBINAR 6: FREE
Alec Hartnell

"

Richard Sarell is one of the best teachers of acting. The world is lucky to have him in it and I’m so happy I found The Rehearsal Room. Wish I found it years ago! Time and money well spent!

5-STARS

Alec Hartnell- actor

THE WEBINAR PLAN
To explore the techniques that have been 35 years in development to bring a new clarity to acting technique.  Why 70% of actors make the same mistake in the audition room and how to fix it is the latest revelation from this remarkable approach.

These processes will be shared with two emerging directors so that they can then test them out directing four actors in two different scenes.

WEBINAR 5: explains these powerful techniques.
WEBINAR 6: actors and directors apply them and test them out.

​In future webinars you could be one of the actors to explore the processes.

THE AIM
Ground Zero for actors and directors is the actual time on set when they are working together.  The focus of these sessions is to learn how actors and directors can best collaborate to produce the dream production they are both working towards.

New creative partnerships might blossom from this collaboration.

THE COST
The cost of these one and a half hour webinars is usually $10 per participant - but these next two sessions are FREE.

Elizabeth O'Callaghan

"

Richard Sarell is a Master of his craft! In just 90 minutes he delivered a comprehensive webinar, provided many useful tools and devices to explore, as well as a thought provoking discussion.  Really looking forward to the next webinar on the Actor Director relationship.

5-STARS

Elizabeth O'Callaghan - actor

DIRECTORS can still apply
If you would like the opportunity to actively participate in future Webinars on the actor/director relationship - choose a script - it should be a short film of approximately 10 - 15 minutes that you own or have copyright clearance on.

Then all you have to do is ...

  1. email Richard@rehearsalroom.com
  2. put "Actor/Director WEBINAR" in the subject line
  3. In the body of the email provide a short description of yourself by way of an introduction.
  4. Include a one sentence description of the film you wish to use and the age range of the characters you require.

LEARN TO GENERATE PERFORMANCES THAT ARE CREATIVELY PLAYFUL and CONVINCINGLY REAL

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • Clear and logical explanations work for you
  • An acting adventure is always fun
  • You love being involved with the development of new ideas
  • Understanding more about the actors and directors skill is your passion
  • Feel you often fall into the same traps
  • Often aren't clear about your choices so you just wing it.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • rather than being relaxed at tackling new ideas you will be stressed
  • you could restrict your openness to new processes
  • applying yourself to unusual tasks will be challenging
  • making the obvious choice will become a more regular trap
  • you won't be confident about floating an unusual idea
  • the same mistakes will continue to occur

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that that there were many unusual behaviours that he would have to encourage actors to adopt for their character.  One thing became quickly plain.  No matter how odd the behaviour was there was always a conscious or unconscious reason driving it.  Everything happened for a reason.

Working out how and why unusual behaviours occurred was fascinating.  Then learning to translate that knowledge into acting technique was another fascinating challenge. He became very skilled at it.

Actors have to do the same thing.  On some occasions they too are confronted by the unusual and have to start from scratch to work out a practical way to apply a new understanding to a performance.

This webinar will also therefore explore learning how to learn.

WEBINAR 6:
Sunday 11 Oct
6:30pm Melbourne;  9:30pm Auckland;  9:30am London

Have a fun time learning. 

ENROL NOW



YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE eNEWSLETTER MAILING LIST HERE.

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