Performance Course

performing the pathway to freedom

unique performance course starts 13th October

Have you always wanted to perform?

Does the idea of performing in front of others thrill or slightly terrify you?

Do you want to take your performing to a whole new level?

What would you express if you knew you could not fail?

Performance is a part of life. More and more life calls on us to perform. Career paths can be blocked if we fail to come up to the mark and life too has a way of singling out and rewarding those who perform well.

Performance too can bring liberation, excitement, a sense of achievement, of being utterly alive and in touch with all our senses. It mirrors too many of the experiences we seek when we yearn for freedom.

Perhaps you’ve been promising yourself that experience for some time. To get out of yourself! To feel fully alive!

Perhaps you’ve always longed to go to drama school or be in the movies, or play in a band, or speak in public or live life in a more creative way.

And you know that performing would unlock something powerful in you, a part of yourself that you never express, a part of you that could potentially unlock many other doors too…

This is a rare opportunity to join this unique, liberating group culminating in a performance before an invited audience exploring through theatre, movement, music and expression the powerful Shakespearean play of King Lear.

A safe haven to challenge yourself, make breakthroughs in self expression, charisma and personal power. There will be no lines to learn (unless you choose to), no set moves, but an invitation to go with the flow of your heart and spirit and follow the impulses of the authentic performer within. An opportunity too to be seen, witnessed and validated in an empathic and supportive group , and at the same time free yourself of the internal limitations and emotional baggage that is holding you back.

From a Past Participant
When the performance was over I was on a huge high. At last after many years of searching I had played a main part. Although we all had. But for me it was a huge achievement.
“Medea” in particular was an amazing part to play. I felt like a free spirit and in that role I had no doubts, no concerns and found a huge amount of self confidence which pushed me to fly and fly.
Subsequently since the performance I have found a new inner, self confidence. I now trust my instincts and able to make decisions in all areas of my life that come from a very deep place within. I have at last come into my power and I now feel totally a woman. I know if I put my mind to it I can achieve anything I want to.
Lela, healer

From The Joy of Performance, an article that Lela wrote for the Making Moves Newsletter as a result of the last project in 2006 from which the above words have been taken.

King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful play – it is a story of madness, badness, illusion and the redeeming power of love.

The project is an opportunity to:

• make breakthroughs in areas of self expression, charisma and personal power
• discover your untapped, creative potential
• break out of your “box”, overcome inhibitions, self-consciousness, or shyness
• take a leap forward in your personal/professional life
• connect with others in a meaningful and inspiring way
• live life more in creative flow
• benefit emotional and physical health
• transform  blocked energy

For all levels of experience from complete beginners to those with performing experience/background.

How it works?

The program meets weekly at the Upper Room in Camden Town, culminating in a weekend workshop at the end of which, the performance will be presented to an invited audience of friends.

The program is divided into 3 phases: Exploration, Rehearsal & Performance.

Each phase will enable you to move seamlessly to the next phase so that you are sufficiently prepared for the final performance, and in a good place to make breakthroughs.

We will be drawing on tools, techniques and structures from drama therapy, theater and personal development approaches that are a powerful combination, enabling you to open up to your creative flow, let go of inhibitions and inner restrictions, get out of your head and operate from the authentic performer within.

In the Exploration phase we will be exploring the story of King Lear.  A supportive group atmosphere quickly emerges through group co-creativity, performance, sharing and reflection, enabling you to connect with others in a powerful way, receive feedback, learn and expand.

In the Rehearsal phase, you will be working in small groups to create a performance presentation drawing on your experience in the Exploration phase, and you will have the opportunity to choose which roles you wish to play and how you want to express the themes of the story. There will no lines to learn  – as any spoken word will evolve naturally out of the piece. If you wish to learn some Shakespeare you be encouraged to choose a text andwe will find a way of integrating this  in with what . I guide the process rather than directing it, drawing out the resources and creativity of each member of the group.

The Performance Weekend is designed to prepare you for the performance – so everyone knows more or less what they’re doing. We will go through the piece a couple of times so by the end of Sunday afternoon (11th December), when the “audience” arrive everyone will be ready.

You can invite friends and loved-ones  and to choose whether you want to invite anyone at all. For some people performing in front of friends is more challenging than in front of strangers. Most people find the presence of friends in the audience the most empowering and important aspect of the whole experience.

There will be two post performance designed to reflect on the whole process, acknowledge personal achievement and reflect on the impact of the performance on your life.

What you won’t get in this course 

Unlike many theater productions which are the vision of the director, and in which the director is driving the process, this process is driven by you and the other group members. There will be empathic guidance from Claire who’s craft and skill as a playwright will ensure that the final result is powerful, moving and entertaining. In fact audience members from past performances have been stunned by what they saw, sitting on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

There will be no director ordering you about and telling you what to do, or giving you the third degree burn to get out the best in you. For many professional performers this is incredibly liberating.

You won’t get stuck with a bit part. You’ll have the opportunity to choose the parts you want to play, male of female, small or large.

You won’t get ego’s running the shows. Past participants have commented on the non-competitive, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere in the group.

If you have a tendency to hide behind a role or go into automatic (this is more typical for people with drama or performing backgrounds) you will be encouraged to step beyond your mask and allow your performance to come from a deeper place.

Listen to this audio in which I answer (I hope) most of your questions. I’ve divided it into 3 parts but it’s still quite a big file so it may take a minute or so to upload.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

6 minutes This audio includes general information and an overview of the course.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5 minutes The audio answers the question “will it be any good?” and any concerns about the quality of the final performances etc

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5 minutes  This audio addresses issues of people who have previously had bad experiences on similar courses/drama school? And more about the final performance.

What’s included

• 9 evening sessions
• Performing Weekend
• Support, empathy and encouragement to bring out the very best in you.
• Follow up conference call 2 days after the event
• Follow up session to reflect on achievements
• Bonus Guide: Vocal Exercises and Preparation for Performances and Presentations
• Bonus CD: A photographic record of the performance

The  also includes the benefit of my expertise as an award winning playwright who has been creating magical theatre experience since 1990. I have also taught in numerous drama schools and have over 15 years experience of running groups, supporting people to break through their limitations in a very safe atmosphere,

The group also has limited places – to ensure you receive the maximum benefit and are able to achieve the kind of breakthroughs that I describe above.

So you may be wondering – how much on earth does this course cost? And how can you possibly afford it?

Most people pay on average between £1000-2000 to resolve these kind of issues and achieve this level of breakthrough. And many of my clients have told me they’ve paid out literally thousands and haven’t got half of what they got from this course in just 9 short weeks.

Whilst the course clearly should be priced at this level, I have no intention of doing so – because such a price wouldn’t help the people who stand to benefit most from this course. So I’m offering it at just £375 if you catch the early bird discount (pay by 23rd September). And even then you don’t have to pay all at once. When you pay your £100 non-refundable deposit your place is booked and you can pay the balance in 3 monthly installments.

So why would I do that?

Firstly I’ve never been in it for the money – if so I assure you I wouldn’t be doing this kind of work. This work feeds my soul – and this particular course feeds it more than perhaps anything else I do. And so part of it is a pleasure for me. And I enjoy working with the kind of people that are attracted to my personal development courses. They are motivated, enthusiastic and  a pleasure to work with.

I also know that there are many performing arts courses a lot cheaper than mine. Whilst you won’t get anything like what you would get from this course – and you might even have a damaging experience (particularly if you are an introvert or not so good at putting yourself forward),  so I have tried to arrive at a price that both reflects the value of the course but also won’t break the bank.

So here’s more information about the course.

DETAILS
9 evening sessions Thursday 13th October – December 8th Times: 7.30-9.30pm
Performing Weekend  10th-11th December 10-5pm (approx)
Post performance support call  Tuesday 13th December 7.30-9.30pm
Follow Up Evening – will be arranged during the group

Venue: The Upper Room, 8 Greenland Street
Tube: Camden Town

Cost: £425 (£375 if booked  by £23rd September and non refundable deposit of £100 paid)
the balance may be paid in 3 further installments

STILL NOT SURE
This may be because you’re not sure quite what’s entailed  and you don’t want to commit yourself to something that might turn out to be  a waste of time and money.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
This is why I offer a money back guarantee, because I know how effective the group is. If you attend 7 out of the 9 group sessions sessions and the full weekend and participate fully in the sessions and you have gained nothing from the experience then I will refund you money in total. You can email me or  call me if you want to know more. I usually ask you to wait 6-8 weeks after the course applying for your refund.

TO BOOK
Send an email (see below)  expressing your interest and reasons for wanting to join the project or call 0208 838 0329

Thank you for your interest.