ACTING CLASSES - NOVEMBER 2026

Ben graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama and has been acting professionally for over 20 years working in theatre, film, Television, Motion Capture and BBC Radio. He also has extensive training in the Miesner Technique, working 1-2-1, in groups, with young actors in the Big House Theatre Company.

As an Actor he's most recently completed the 10th and final season of Outlander for Sony Pictures. Notable experiences include being directed by Kathryn Bigelow in the feature film Zero Dark Thirty; developing the character of Lord Fallon for two seasons in the series Harlots alongside Samantha Morton, and Lesley Manville; being a member of the Factory Theatre Company and playing in their rehearsal room style Hamlet – where the actors knew all the parts, and roles were decided spontaneously on the night by paper-scissors-stone; and touring country for 9 months with Alan Bennett's classic play The History Boys, learning how it can be different every night, night after night.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Picasso. 

In this series of playful classes inspired by the Miesner Technique we'll explore how to play with impulses and how spontaneity can help these impulses lift the words off the page. 

Starting with the foundational practice of Stanford Meisner - The Repetition. Participants introduced to this practice will explore how being open to what is happening in the moment and following instinct is such a powerful tool for the actor. Working in pairs we'll observe how impulse leads to impulse, and how ultimately from this evolves both character and story, what Meisner called - "living truthfully in imaginary circumstances."

It is a practice of presence that demands each partner show up in the moment, continually putting their awareness on the other and letting themselves respond instinctively to their impulses. 

Being alive to these impulses frees the actor and we'll look to continue this spontaneous connection into text work. Responding to the script with less bound or controlled ideas and giving our imagination space to play. 

Scripts and scenes will be provided participants are welcome to bring scripts / scenes with them, if they'd like, it may be helpful to have more words to play with, these can be duologues, monologues, from theatre or film. 

Come to try something new, remind yourself of something known, connect to others in the room, and play. 

Access to the NVT: Please be aware that from 28th September to 6th November, Western Road will be closed to vehicles between Holland Road and Montpelier Road. This will affect access to the New Venture Theatre throughout this period. Please allow extra time for your journey as latecomers may not be admitted. 

Accessibility: This event is presented in the South Hall (Bar) which offers full accessibility.