Actor’s Lab: The Responsive Actor

The Responsive Actor

The Responsive Actor is a 10-session Actor’s Lab course focused on helping actors connect to themselves, their character, their ensemble and their audience. Led by an active industry professional, this course brings current experience from the acting world into the room. The first few weeks focus on building vocal and physical awareness, helping you become more familiar with your instrument as an actor. From there, the course takes a mostly body-led approach, using tools such as Laban efforts and contact improvisation to help you become freer while working with other actors. As the term develops, these tools will be applied to character and text in a safe, exploratory and focused training environment. Many actors do their best work when they are able to be present and in a state of flow; this course is designed to help you find that by developing your ability to be active and responsive to those around you. Across the course, you will develop the skill to stay present, connected and responsive — with yourself, your character, your ensemble and your audience. The course runs from 8 September to 17 November, 7pm–9.30pm, with one week off for half term. The full schedule can be seen below. The Responsive Actor is for actors at Player and Pro level. Players are actors who have completed at least two years of acting classes and are ready to take their work further. Pros are actors with professional paid experience who want to keep their craft sharp. You can find more detail about all levels, including The Spark, on our Offerings page. Places are limited and entry is by a short phone interview. This helps us keep the standard in the room high, so everyone taking part is ready to contribute, develop and grow. To apply, please book your place with a holding deposit. If, after the phone call, we feel the course is not the right fit at this stage, your deposit will be refunded. The full 10-session term is priced at £150, making it a highly competitive option for regular actor training in Cambridge. Concession rates are also available where needed. Unusual Crowd is a non-profit theatre company, and keeping actor training accessible and affordable is central to how we work. We want to create a serious but supportive space where actors can stay active, take creative risks and continue growing, without cost becoming an unnecessary barrier. For those looking for more casual drama classes to build confidence, meet people and enjoy acting in a relaxed social setting