Working on a new play? In this workshop, we'll take a deep-dive into characters - what makes them work and how do you get to know yours? Combining studying a contemporary play, group discussion and practical exercises, this webinar will provide plenty of inspiration to get your characters on their journeys!

A bit about Deirdre:

Deirdre O'Halloran is the Literary Manager at the Bush Theatre, working to identify and build relationships with new writers, commission new work and guide plays to the stage. At the Bush she's dramaturged plays including Edinburgh First winner Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd, The High Table by Temi Wilkey and An Adventure by Vinay Patel. Deirdre was previously Literary Associate at Soho Theatre, where she worked as a dramaturg on Girls by Theresa Ikoko and Fury by Phoebe Eclair-Powell. She led on Soho Theatre’s Writers’ Lab programme and the biennial Verity Bargate Award. As a freelancer, Deirdre is an experienced workshop leader, has worked as a dramaturg on plays including Restoration by Shaun Dunne, and has read for Sonia Friedman Productions.

If you have any specific access requirements for this workshop, such as a BSL interpreter, please get in touch with James on james@wildcardtheatre.co.uk.

In order to make the sessions as accessible as possible we have made them Pay What You Can. Once you have booked your slot, details of how to pay will be made available each week after the workshop.

Looking at a different script every week, Donnacadh will lead a series of laboratory style rehearsal sessions using his particular approach to text and early rehearsals, with a few Zoom adaptations... The sessions are 'drop in', so you can join for as often or as little as suits you (space permitting), and they are a great opportunity to keep those acing muscles working while the industry is in lockdown.

Bringing together a range of influences, including Viewpoints, Linklater and Meisner, Donnacadh’s unique actor centric approach to early rehearsals is freeing, surprising and rigorous.

Actors will be asked to do specific preparation on a different play text each week and will be given the details of how to join on Zoom in advance of the workshop.

The Sessions

Monday 'Workout' (10am - 1pm)

10am Hellos | Yoga | Exploratory run of the opening section of the play | 11:30am tea break | Discussion of character, relationships, objectives and tactics | Continue exploratory run | 1pm Finish

Wednesday character improvisation (5pm - 7pm)

5pm Hellos | Improv Game | Discuss backstory to explore | begin backstory improvisations | 6pm tea break | feeding back on discoveries and setting next direction | Continue backstory improvisations | Finish

Thursday 'workout' (10am - 1pm)

10am Hellos | Yoga | Exploratory run of the opening section of the play | 11:30am tea break | Discussion of character, relationships, objectives and tactics | Continue exploratory run | 1pm Finish

Thursday scene rehearsal (5pm - 7pm)

5pm Hellos | Begin rehearsal style exploration on one scene or short section from the play | 6pm tea break | Continue exploration | 7pm Finish

A bit about Donnacadh:

Donnacadh is an award winning new work specialist whose productions have played at The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End, and internationally.

His acclaimed production of Rotterdam by Jon Brittain won the 2017 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, playing in the West End, across the UK, and in New York after it's humble beginnings at Battersea's Theatre503. His recent production of gig-theatre hit Electrolyte by James Meteyard and Maimuna Memon for Wildcard has played two sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe and toured the UK and Ireland, with plans for performances in London and internationally

Favourite productions include: Always Orange by Fraser Grace for the RSC, which reopened The Other Place Theatre; My World Has Exploded a Little Bit, and Rejoicing at her Wondrous Vulva the Young Woman Applauded Herself, both created with writer/performer Bella Heesom; PEEP at Edinburgh and Latitude festivals; a major Irish production of King Lear staring the late great Gerard Murphy; and as an Assistant director to Michael Boyd, the RSC’s multi award-winning Histories Cycle (The Guardian’s ‘Production of the Decade’). He has had the benefit of learning in the rehearsal rooms of Simon McBurney, Dominic Cooke, Greg Doran, Rebecca Gatward & Jonathan Mumby, and has been mentored by James Macdonald. He has taught and directed for most of the UK's top Drama Schools, in particular RADA, LAMDA and BOVTS.

For more, check out Donncadh's website