Acting: Exploring Meisner

Sally Reid

Directing credits include; Aganeza Scrooge (Tron), The Angry Brigade (RCS), Smile, The Bookies (Dundee Rep), 10 Things to do Before You Die, Outside In and What the Animals Say (Play Pie Pint), Call to Adventure (NTS), 2020 Stories (SYT), Scot Squad – Hogmanay Special (BBC Scotland) and River City (BBC Scotland)

Sally has also worked extensively in the Scottish Theatre, television, and radio industry for many years as an actress. Theatre work as an actress includes: Shirley Valentine (PFT), Sally (PPP), Cinderfella (Tron), Low Pay, Don’t Pay (Glasgow Life/Tron), Wendy and Peter Pan (Lyceum), How To Disappear (Traverse), Rhinoceros, (EIF/Lyceum), The James Plays (NTS), Time and The Conways (Dundee Rep), Days of Wine and Roses (Jezebel/Tron). TV Credits include; Scot Squad (8 Series For BBC Scotland), Karen Pirie, Annika, River City, Only An Excuse, Two Doors Down.

She trained at Langside College, Glasgow and The School at Steppenwolf in Chicago where she trained in Meisner, Viewpoints and improvisation with ensemble members.

There are no entry requirements for this course.

The course is designed so that motivated students will benefit from the training. We expect you to undertake a certain amount of self-directed study and preparation out with class times.

Students should be open, honest, generous, respectful, hard-working and willing to work as part of a team.

The course will involve a step-by-step guide through the Meisner technique; REPETITION, ACTIVITY AND TEXT.

The first part takes form with the fundamental practical exercise of the Meisner technique; REPETITION – where students sit opposite a partner and observe, listen and repeat instructions. The repetition exercises form the core of the Meisner training, with more detailed simple instructions as the work progresses. The three components of observing, listening and repeating are key.

The second part will involve some self study and preparation. Students will be asked to prepare a simple ACTIVITY/exercise to bring in and use for the following week’s repetition.

The third part will be using the Meisner technique alongside TEXT. Students will apply the technique to give scenes.

There will be self directed hours in this part of the course where the scene partners work together on scenes.

• Plan and prepare to attend all classes
• Dress comfortably in clothes which are suitable for the activity you are taking part in.
• Bring a notepad and pen/pencil in case you wish to make notes.
• Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your class.

This course is suitable for students aged 16+, with no or little experience. Students should be keen to learn and plan to attend all classes.

This course will run in-person on Monday evenings for 10-weeks from 20 January – 24 March 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

The course fee is £275 which is the equivalent to £27.50 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.