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Totnes & Kingsbridge Acting Classes 2026-27
"Finally, I understand what acting is"
Student on our 1 day Acting Workshop at Riga University
Do you want to add something to your life, that will expand your skills, confidence and sense of freedom and well-being? Or are you an experienced or professional actor who wants to deepen their craft?
Learning to act is not about performing but is a deep skill that requires the ability to shift your state of mind to that of the character. This can be learned by anyone and has a profound effect on your life as you understand more about your consciousness and how it works, and how to shift your own state of mind at will. This has an impact on every area of your life including relationships, work, self-expression and communication.
“I learned more about acting today than in 3 years on my performing arts course”
Ash, participant in weekend workshop
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how to create characters for stage and screen
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how to be spontaneous and create inspiration on stage and in life
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how our own 'character' is formed
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how to create purposes for the character and for our own lives
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how the imagination works and how to maximise it's potential
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how to deal with difficult relationships / situations
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how to create or change a 'state of mind'
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how to deal with unwanted thoughts & complexes
“This week was like a mind explosion, you have changed our lives”
Participant in short theatre project in Russia
Information
I plan to run this class for at least 1 year (3 terms). They are not ‘drop-in’ classes, but a course, designed to give you a complete grounding in acting technique. You honestly do not need any experience or any self-perceived ‘talent’. You only need to be willing to turn up on a regular basis, take on new ideas and be open to feedback & guidance, and also be willing to laugh at yourself (and others).
You will learn simple and clear points of reference for acting, for directing, for communication and for working with others, including how consciousness develops and invisibly runs our lives. Other benefits of this training will be: increased understanding of yourself and others; increased choice over your interior life (your thoughts and emotions); increased independence & resilience; reduction in anxiety & social-anxiety. You will slowly learn how to hold different states of mind freely in front of an audience / camera, ie. learn how to change your state of mind at will.
What this is not: comedy improv, text or scene work.
We may move onto working on dialogue scenes in terms 2 or 3.
The course is equally valid for someone who wants to become a professional actor or someone who simply wants to explore and develop themselves within this craft.
Conditions of attendance:
A willingness to take onboard new ideas and try things out. A willingness to take onboard feedback, share feedback with others, share your experience openly and explore new ways of thinking.
A willingness to do some homework.
Ability to be punctual and consistent with attendance.
Schedule:
Important note: Dates are subject to change - the tutor is an actor & director still working in the profession. Classes (even multiple classes) may be postponed, even at short notice. If this happens, especially if more than one week in a row, we may use an online class to maintain progress.
Totnes times:
Saturdays 11am-12.45/1pm: Classes will run for 1 hour and 45 minutes, but may run up to 2 hours.
Totnes dates:
Saturday 5th & 12th September: an introductory session. You only need attend one of these: come and find out whether you feel the style of the class suits you. Then Saturday’s 19th Sept – 24th Oct and 7th & 14th Nov and 14th Dec (10 sessions with two breaks). Please keep 21st Nov free as a back-up date in case we have to miss a different week during the term.
Kingsbridge times:
Fridays 7pm-8.45/9pm: Classes will run for 1 hour and 45 minutes, but may run up to 2 hours.
Kingsbridge dates:
Friday 11th September: an introductory session to find out whether you feel the style of the class suits you. Then Friday’s 18th Sept – 23rd Oct and 6th Nov & 13th Dec and 13th Dec (10 sessions with a half-term break). Please keep 20th Nov free as a back-up date in case we have to miss a different week during the term.
Cost:
£20 per session, payable in minimum of £60 blocks (for 3 classes), in advance, except by discussed arrangement in special circumstances. Total cost of term 1: £200 (for intro session and then 9 sessions)
Where:
Birdwood House in Totnes. Harbour House in Kingsbridge.
Booking:
To book for one of the introductory workshops, please click here and send email (to alex@creatingfreedom.co.uk) or message me on 07968 48 48 43 with your full name and whether you wish to attend on 5th or 11th or 12th Sept. I will send confirmation of your place and details for payment of £20 for the introductory session. If you are under 18 let me know and we will arrange to speak together with a parent or guardian.
When you book the introductory workshops I will reserve you a provisional place on the course or waiting list and ask you to confirm within a certain time after the intro class. Places will be available on a 1st come 1st served basis (maximum class size around 12-16 depending on size of the space).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acting?
You could say that very simply, the job of an actor is to create a character. You work out how and what the character thinks and then think those thoughts, and experience the resulting feelings or emotions. Acting is creating another consciousness and holding that consciousness for the period of time on stage or in front of the camera. It takes time and understanding to develop that skill and is a liberating experience; just requiring a good tutor, a willingness to put aside one’s own important thoughts, and a lot of practice.
The contract we enter into is that I try to be the best tutor I can be and you try to be the best student you can be. That’s it.
What is the acting methodology?
My teaching is grounded in the ‘Science of Acting’ developed by Sam Kogan, a student of Maria Knebel, who was a colleague of Konstantin Stanislavski. I studied with Sam at the School of the Scence of Acting 1996-2000 as an actor-director-tutor, and became a senior tutor at the school until it closed in 2021.
It is a thorough, common-sense, grounded and powerful acting technique and brings with it a host of side-benefits for life.
Who is the tutor?
Alex Dower grew up in Rattery, went to KEVICS and was part of Playgoers. He then trained at Liverpool Polytechnic and the School of the Science of Acting in London as well as with Brazillian Director Augusto Boal and in ‘Directing for Camera’ with the Directors Guild.
He spent two years touring prisons with Geese Theatre Company and then performed extensively in the London Fringe, at the Royal National Theatre, in the West End, regional theatres and on various tours. Also in film, TV, radio & commercials: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Eastenders, The Bill, Killing Eve, Invasion, Banged Up Abroad, Pink & Green & many others.
As a director he has worked in Russian Prisons, UK mental health rehabs, refugee camps, African villages, with deaf-blind people & with children with disabilities & learning difficulties. As a teacher he has taught mainly for the School of the Science of Acting but also for the Old Vic, National Theatre, various London Drama Schools and International Universities.
IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1544555
“The Atom Bomb of Acting Techniques”
Richard Brake - Actor in Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan, Peaky Blinders ...
One to One Acting Tuition
One to one tuition as well as character or audition preparation is available on request.
email alex@creatingfreedom.co.uk / 07968 48 48 43
One to One Work with People with Learning Difficulties
We work closely with individuals to develop their communication and comprehension,
either live or online. We have helped prove capacity for legal cases and prepared people for
auditions, interviews and change in their lives.
