Foundation in Acting (Part-Time)

James Westphal

Course Leader

James is a neurodiverse Actor, Writer and Coach originally from Portsmouth and based in London. He trained in Acting at ArtsEd as the Leverhulme Scholar and graduated with a first-class degree. He is also soon to complete his Masters in Psychological Sciences with Brunel University. As well as running the Part-Time Foundation Acting course at ArtsEd, James is a visiting lecturer and project director for IC Theatre (BIMM group) and has worked at a host of other drama schools and institutions such as Identity where he was the Part-Time Resident Acting Tutor. He also runs his own public speaking and acting coaching company, James Westphal Creative Development.

Polly Jordan

Classical

Polly trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London.

As an actor, Polly’s theatre credits include Trespass (UK Tour), Blithe Spirit (Swansea Grand Theatre) Blood + Chocolate (York Theatre Royal/Pilot Theatre) and Beacons (Devonshire Park Theatre). Polly has appeared in commercials, music videos and also works as a voiceover artist. Polly’s work as an assistant director includes UK Tours of Invincible (Original Theatre Company) and Not about Heroes (Blackeyed Theatre).

Polly is a visiting lecturer across several drama schools including Central, Mountview and Arts Ed and is co-facilitator of Mayflower Theatre Southampton’s actor training initiative ELEVATE. She is co-founder of Ace Audition Coaching which aims to demystify the drama school audition process and help emerging actors from all backgrounds access further actor training.

Skye Hallam

Movement 

Skye Hallam is an Anglo-Indian actress from Kingston Upon-Thames. Skye trained at RADA, graduating in 2016 and making her stage debut with TARA Theatre in ‘Paradise of the Assassins’. Her credits include ‘The Crown’ (Netflix) ‘The Alienist’ (TNT/Netflix) and Daniel Alfredson’s film trilogy ‘Intrigo’. Skye’s debut one woman show ‘Heads or Tails’ was Offie Nominated for best digital show at the Brighton Fringe Online in 2021 and a live theatre version of the show is in development. Skye is also freelance director; her credits include ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Hamlet’ at LAMDA. Last year Skye finished a UK tour as assistant director on Kali theatre’s new production ‘Phantasmagoria’, written by Deepika Arwind.  Skye has just finished playing Olive Lashbrooke in John Van Druten’s ‘The Voice of the Turtle’ at Jermyn Street Theatre for which she has received an Offie nomination for supporting performance. Skye is an associate acting teacher at LAMDA, RADA and Arts Ed specialising in Meisner and Laban technique, her #MeisnerwithSkye and #LabanwithSkye drop in classes run monthly at the Old Diorama. Skye is also a member of the audition panel at LAMDA for the foundation, BA and MFA acting courses. Skye is currently directing the Arts Ed 2nd year BA students in ‘Punk Rock’ by Simon Stephens.

Matthew Harrison-James

Matt is a voice and accent coach based in South London; he’s taught at many of London’s leading training institutions: RADA, Rose Bruford, Arts Ed and Mountview where he was senior voice tutor he’s also worked at Shakespeare’s Globe and coached clients internationally. His teaching encompasses voice, accent, audition technique, vocal extremes, show coaching and the wider application of voice to the performance industry. He teaches through a mixture of detailed guidance and playful exploration.

Adam Bal

Adam trained in musical theatre at the Guildford School of Acting and recently earned an MA from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Adam has an extensive background in theatre, having toured the country’s top playhouses with various productions alongside the West End. Adam has also worked in television and film.

In addition to his acting career, Adam has taught at several prestigious London drama schools. Adam specialises in teaching a variety of methodology-led practices.

• Fundamentals of Acting
• Acting for screen
• Industry Audition technique
• Exploration of Monologues and Drama School Preparation (if applicable)
• Voice and text
• Improvisation
• Movement
• Sight reading

As well as continuing to work on the skills from Term 1, students will then begin to cover:

• Industry audition preparation
• Acting Practitioners
• Professional practice and Etiquette
• Duologues
• Panel Auditions and Feedback

May 24th

June 28th

July 26th