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There’s nothing quite like stepping into the training room with Both Feet for the very first time, completely unaware of what’s to come and a little bit terrified at the same time. Ironically, that’s just life, isn’t it? After years of hard-work, a lot of tears and discovering who I actually am, I received the email that I’ve wanted for so long offering me a place at drama school. I’d wanted it since being that little eight-teen year old that jumped on a train to Sheffield after a google search of ‘Meisner, Manchester’ in the hopes of keeping up acting classes after leaving sixth form. Out of the sea of links and websites, I was drawn to Both Feet. Either good marketing or just trusting my gut, whatever it was, it was the best decision I could’ve made. I laugh now because I just had no idea of the journey that was in front of me and the friendships and connections that I would form throughout the next few years. And if I could sum it up, I would. But there’s actually not a way to do that. All I know right now, is that Both Feet has made me a better human before anything else. The acting is just a bonus. It’s taken me ages to think of a way to reflect on my journey to this point now, how can I summarise almost four years with Both Feet without turning it into a novel? Something that changed for me, and is a huge reason why I feel like I got into drama school this year, is that I took ownership of my journey and who I was. That included those years of rejection that I’d put so much shame on. Fuck that. So, let me talk you through all those years of ‘rejections’.
2018. I’d left college with my A-Levels and I’d began working a full time job to appease my parents and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. After searching on google for ‘acting classes in Manchester’ ‘Meisner Manchester’, Both Feet appeared and I signed myself up. I walked into the room at 18, no idea what Meisner actually was, and was met by Steph. A smiley, bold and lovely woman who told me all about her morning poo within five minutes of meeting her. Sitting around with a handful of other actors of all ages and personalities, I felt like such an imposter. I’d been rejected from drama school and I had no professional credits to my name. When I was told to sit opposite another actor, my mind went into overdrive telling me how to get it right, how to beat the game, how to be the best. And Steph soon stopped me and told me not to bullshit and fuck being polite. At 18, I can’t tell you how terrifying that was. I turned up everyday scared shitless, but each time I got up, sometimes I’d have a breakthrough and sometimes I wanted to throw a chair through the window. I kept wanting to get to ‘the acting’ because I now realise I just wanted to hide. But slowly, and I mean slowly, I let my guard down. After the intensive week, I was hooked on Steph’s nurturing style and began to work with more ease rather than fighting it.
2019. I attended almost every both feet class and course I could. From tech gyms to audition workshops to movement and voice training, I really threw myself in. I completely and utterly trusted Steph. Because I saw how other actors in the room connected to others, how easily they found truth by just being themselves and cutting the bullshit. I discovered new techniques like Laban and had the most transformative week with Barbara Houseman in Leeds where I found my love for mindfulness. I was even writing my own work and being supported by actors from Both Feet in producing this and developing it further. All the while, I was working a full-time job that I hated whilst being involved with youth theatre productions so that I was fully immersed in acting and performance. The only thing I wasn’t working hard on, was my own well-being and making space for me. But we’ll come to that in a bit. With only two full days off a week and filling my days to the brim, it doesn’t come to much surprise that I was rejected from drama school auditions again.
2020. The year my life changed. We all know what happened this year. And in a way I’m grateful for it. Because I was forced to stop, and as you could read from 2019, I was not giving myself any space to breathe at all. Steph started creating classes and courses that we could do on Zoom so I got involved with as much as I could at the time. If you haven’t noticed already, Steph will go above and beyond to innovate and make valuable courses for the community of Both Feet. I was involved in a digital scene study where she invited a casting agent to give feedback and aid our professional development as well as free-writing sessions and more. But I owe such a big BIG thank you and it changed my life to Steph’s New Pathways course. I was at a low point, a really low point. I was depressed, I didn’t know who I was or what I enjoyed anymore, but the one good thing about hitting rock bottom, the only way to go was forward. With a group of beautifully open and down-right amazing humans, I embarked on changing my thoughts and inturn, changing my life. I owe so much to those 12 weeks and more, because for the first time ever, I wasn’t just thinking about how to get into drama school, I was truly focused on myself. I got far with auditions but not quite close enough, so I took Steph’s recommendation to check out a course called Year Out Drama which I successfully got into. My new found freedom and confidence, combined with moving to a new city for the first time ever was a successful ending. I went into the course with courage and being open to whatever was thrown my way, working 10-5 and sometimes 10-9 five to six days a week. I absolutely loved it. For the first time in a very long time, I was solely focused on performing and myself, and not on drama school auditions.  2021. Although this isn’t a year of rejection, it’s brings us to now. It’s the first year that I haven’t been directly involved with Both Feet for a very long time. And now that I think of it, it’s almost like the Nanny McPhee effect. When you don’t want it, it’s there for you but when you think you need it, it isn’t. And when it isn’t directly there, you naturally put into practice everything it ever taught you. I went into those drama school auditions cutting every bit of bullshit I could and I was the most prepared I have ever been. And I had the most success, final recalls almost everywhere I applied and an offer. I hope you can see that from 2018 to now, those rejections that I got were not failures. Because I was not ready, I wouldn’t have been able to fully take what I need from a three year course because other shit needed to happen first. And it made me who I am right now, warts and all.
So, in a couple months time, I start my three year training and I am so unbelievably excited for it, but terrified. But I know deep down that no matter what, I am ready, because of my training and my experiences with Both Feet as well as a hell of a lot of life experience. And just like Steph always says, we are all a work in progress. So, to every single person who’s supported me a long the way, the Both Feet community, my wonderful 8 humans, Steph - thank you for believing in me every step of the way. And for sharing this beautiful journey with me. I know I’ll always have a home to come back to. Rhia x
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 At Both Feet we are passionate about providing a safe space for emerging and professional actors to develop and nurture their craft. A space to remember how it feels to get out of their heads and into their entire being, to be bold, courageous and honest.
Currently Both Feet is made up of Steph and Adam. Steph now lives in Wales and also runs Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat (and is mum of 2 small humans) and Adam is full time course leader at Leeds Conservatoire (and dad of one small human) - these changes in our lives have naturally had an impact on what we've been able to offer through Both Feet. We're now looking to add more wonderful, dynamic, generous, knowledgeable and exquisite teachers, coaches, trainers to join our team so we can provide a rich and regular training programme. If you work with professional actors and are based near Leeds and/or Manchester we would love to hear from you. The programme will be designed around the team and your specialism so we're flexible with bringing you in as a stand alone class or regular sessions. Perhaps you specialise in voice, movement, yoga, mindfulness, film/tv, mask, clowning, singing, Meisner or any other skill that actors would deeply benefit from. To apply fill in this very short form with your CV and a short video (no more than 5minutes) introducing yourself, your specialist skills, your passions, a proposal of what you could offer. Deadline: We'll be keen to hear from people on an ongoing basis but we are currently designing the first programme so the sooner we hear from you the sooner we can see if we're a good fit and build you in! Any questions, get in touch: stephanie@both-feet.co.uk  Yes! You heard that statement Both Feet changed my acting but, most importantly, myself and my attitude towards everything. But before I start raving on about Both Feet and how thankful I was for my scholarship, let me take you through my journey. 2018...I was leaving LIPA Sixth form. I had just had my first round of Drama School auditions. In all honesty, it wasn't a bad first try at 18. I got two recalls, three foundations courses offer. The only slight problem, I couldn't afford them. That was a hard pill to swallow. I left LIPA with no clue where my next place would be and was ready to go back to my bar work. Then one night, while flicking through Facebook, I found Steph's post about a scholarship for a year's worth of Meisner training with Both Feet. I applied, not expecting anything. But to my absolute surprise and pleasure, I got the scholarship. I screamed on the bus when the email came through. I was super, super excited to start and booked onto the intro course. I was on my train to Manchester when it hit me (maybe a bit late). WHAT THE F*CK IS MEISNER. I walked into my first class at 18 years old and super nervous. This curly-haired lady greeted me with the biggest and warmest smile, Steph. We all settled into class, and then we were invited to sit in these two chairs opposite each other and state what we see in the other actor. I rolled my eyes, thinking, what has this got to do with acting! Telling someone what they look like what is that going to achieve?! Then it was my turn to sit in the chair. I swaggered up, thinking, "I got this". I was looking at this person, and my mind went blank. Then the voice in my head started panicking, "DO SOMETHING". So I started "acting". Steph stopped the exercise then said, "Cut the bullshit". I was stunned, but she was right. I didn't have to do anything apart from just be, which for us actors is a terrifying thing. I continued the intro weekend, and I am not going to lie, it was hard! Then something shifted in the group. On the second day, a pair of actors in front of my eyes were falling in love. It looked effortless. They finished the exercise then said they just felt so connected. In my head, something clicked. I wanted to do that. To be in the scene so connected with another human and to work with ease, not effort. After that, I did every class I could do. I was hooked. It was a challenging year I felt constantly pushed. Sometimes I got it, and things just made so much sense. Other days I was ready to walk out but what made me want to stay was because when I acted in Both Feet class, the work that I saw and created was the best work I had ever done in my life. To work with ease and truth. I even went back and did the intro course three times! Because there is always something new to learn. Before I knew it, the dreaded drama school auditions came back, but instead of going into the room trying to guess what they wanted, through my training with Steph, I went and was me. For the first time, I was comfortable just being me. Because guess what, that is more than enough. And if you wouldn't believe it, I got into Drama School!
I have been training with Steph for over three years now, and I still go back whenever I can. Because of the magical atmosphere in that room, the groundedness it gave me. Because of the actor it made me but most importantly, the person. But also, Steph continuously checks in and says her famous quote, "What do you need?", to the lovely little community that Both Feet has. So when we all said we didn't like our headshots, BAM Steph organised a headshot day with Shift Focus. And guess what, it was the most pleasurable experience but most importantly the best headshots because Steph made us bring us to the headshots just like our training. Our work with Steph is always transferable. That's why when she announced her creation of Bodlondeb Studio, the collision of outdoor actives and Meisner, we all jumped to the opportunity. Because the most crucial thing, especially after this weird year of zoom, is reconnecting to our bodies as actors because that's our instrument. So why not have a Meisner class where we have to jump into work then feel the sensation of actually jumping off a cliff in the afternoon! Because I can put money on it, it will make every actor who takes part in that course more connected with their bodies and themselves plus their work. I am about to head into my third and final year of Drama School training, which terrifies me. But I know I will be okay because of my training with Both Feet to find calmness in my acting work and personal life. Finally, proof what Steph does work. In my most recent scene study at school, I got this comment from the director, which makes me think of Steph and her training "Emily is always ready and open, and easy to work with. She is always ready to jump in with both feet." So to Steph, Adam, every single amazing visiting tutor and actor I got to meet during my training. THANK YOU! Plus to all the people I am yet to meet through this amazing community of Both Feet and Bodlondeb Studios. See ya soon Emily x While we're here...It would be daft not to share Emily's awesome business venture whilst we're here:
Your Little Theatre A small business focused on bringing a little theatrical magic and new experiences directly into the homes of professional thespians, art-lovers and amateurs alike! We are based in Yorkshire, and part of our mission is to bring our customers into contact with new play texts, without increasing their carbon footprint, and while also uplifting other small businesses to create the perfect ‘ensemble’ of sustainable, enriching, and above all, enjoyable products. Our product ranges are all diverse and affordable, perfect for creativity on a budget. Whether you’re a student simply trying to survive a round of Drama School auditions, or just seeking that perfect gift for the thespian in your life, Your Little Theatre has got you covered.
We've been a little quiet over the last six months because I have been busy, busy building Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat here in North Wales, in my garden.
We open in a matter of days (9) and there is still a huge amount to do so I'll keep this short and sweet - I am deliriously tired! 
It's really important to me that I make sure people who genuinely can't afford the training can come. Adam and I have run several year long and course specific scholarships to ensure our doors remain open to those who need it.
I've been so busy with the build and choosing wood, paint and taps that I had missed some elements of launching the retreats that are deeply important to me and this is one of them. So I had a think. For this 9 night course specifically it costs me just under £200/person to have someone on site (not including my time, accommodation or paying off loans etc) so I couldn't offer a full scholarship as we don't have the funds to cover the rest but I could at least offer it at cost price, giving my time and accommodation as a gift. I reached out to some people in the industry to ask if they knew anyone who might be interested in the training and specifically those who wouldn't normally be able to access it. One very kind soul, writer, maker, director, VO artist Dermot Daly, offered to cover the cost of one place, as a gift to someone who would deeply benefit. Well that blew me away. "I’ve been lucky in the opportunities that I’ve had and continue to have and am fully aware that stories like mine are few and far between. If I can rebalance in some small way then I will. The idea of using a fee for a voiceover to gift training to someone is just beautiful and I know that what you do is awesome and brilliant." So here we are, able to offer a fully funded place on our first ever Actor Training Retreat to a brilliant and deserving soul who is in a position to down tools and get to Wales on the 12th July! To Apply
We'll keep it simple. Email me on stephanie@both-feet.co.uk or fill in the contact form by Wed 7th July about why you'd like to come on the retreat and why we should offer you the scholarship.
More Information About the Retreat
12-21st July
Introduction to Meisner, 9 night retreat in North Wales With the great outdoors to guide the training into your body Here's Steph chatting about it https://fb.watch/6rY_ejvPNx/ A deeply immersive, experiential and tailored programme designed to deeply connect you to yourself, each other and your craft. Includes: - Accommodation - Food package for arrival evening and first morning and kitchen basics ie tea, coffee, spices, oils etc (you can let us know food requirements on booking). - 7 days training in The Meisner Technique from basic repetition and exploring the impulse to move all the way through to text analysis and scene work. - A beautifully fused coaching experience from the acting studio into the wild and back again with Steph and our partner activity instructor. - Activities: Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Archery, White Water Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Foraging & Campfire, NB we reserve the right to change or adapt the activities if necessary - Food at the campfire and something foraged & handmade to take away ie teas, cordials muscle rub, salves, first aid ointment. Full info: https://www.bodlondebretreat.co.uk/introduction-to-meisner Arrive Open, Leave Changed  Gift someone our trainingIf you know a professional actor or someone who's seriously working to become an actor then this will be the perfect gift.
Plus you'll be supporting local, it's a win win! We are one of the top actor training companies in the North of England who specialise in The Meisner Technique and the actor's well-being. What they'll get: We will send the voucher to the email address provided with any message you would like. You can specify what date and time you'd like it sending. We will CC you in so you know it's arrived safe and sound. To give you an idea of prices here's some of our offerings (follow the links for full info): ★ The Foundations, The Meisner Technique (Leeds or Manchester): - Introduction to Meisner 2 Day - £95 - The Core 6 Day - £270 Over the 8 Days you will be introduced to all the exercises designed by Sanford Meisner which will take you through to working on a script. ★ 1 hour of 1:1 with Adam or Steph (on Zoom): £60 This can be whatever you want it to be. Audition prep, monologue work, text work, a chat about the industry. Literally anything. ★ Free Writing: An Actor's Best Friend (online course) - £15 Usually runs once a month, dates added regularly ★ Headshot Day - £175 Dates added regularly. Only available to those who have started training with us. More info and to order: 🎁 www.both-feet.co.uk/gift 
Photo by Shift Focus / John Edward James Photography
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Next one: 2nd November, 7-8.30pm
(Register below) Maybe you've enjoyed some stillness and taken the opportunity to breathe, and now you're reaching out. Maybe you've felt really overwhelmed and have pulled away from your creativity or questioned who you are, and now you're reaching out. Maybe you feel heavy in your heart or lost in your head, so now you're reaching out. Maybe you've been frantically working to keep yourself and/or others afloat or your mind busy, but now you're reaching out. Maybe you're feeling warm, lifted and supported, And you're here to extend that out. Either way, join us. There'll be no pressure to be anything other than here.
CONNECT is simply a space for us to come together
breathe, talk, listen, be and most importantly, connect. Not on a business level but on a personal one. No frills. No money, no agenda. Just us in this positive space. I'll guide you through, don't worry. If you are an Actor and/or Maker then this space is absolutely for you. Will there be moments of awkward Zoom etiquette? Of course there will! But it'll shift quickly if you let it. I am a firm believer that together we can rise the tide. So let's wrap our arms around each other. Steph x Fill in the registration form below to get the Zoom link :-)  NB this is our Steph but it is not a Both Feet project
Deadline to apply: Monday 28th Sept, noon Group audition on Zoom - times to be allocated, Tuesday 6th October 3 weeks in January 2021 (tbc) @ £494/week We’re very keen to hear from a diverse range of actors to ensure the piece reflects the diverse social and cultural world we live in. To apply: Complete this application form Must haves: Confidence in your ability to work with improvisation A willingness to jump in and explore An openness to devising The project: Award winning writer Sam Brady and director Stephanie Upsall love to make work from the heart whilst also pushing boundaries. This project will be doing exactly that as an unscripted, interactive play that combines Zoom and live performance. We’ll say no more. Rehearsals will more than likely be all on Zoom but we’re considering bringing us all together at some point, that would be in Manchester. A decision will be made closer to the time. This first stage is for the R&D (with an online public showback) which will inform a full piece later in the year. Everything is subject to a successful funding bid. We do have a history of receiving ACE funding, working in this format and working with each other so we stand in good stead. If you’re successful in getting an audition we’ll give you full info and a time slot. Our promise to you: we’ll be in touch either way. Any questions, please get in touch: stephanie@both-feet.co.uk "We had an amazing time, getting dressed and not having to wait in a queue for the toilet! Haha ?"
Theatre meets ZOOM: Live performances by the Both Feet community
Sunday 2nd August 7.30 - 9pm ("doors" open from 6.45pm) @ Your Place, Zoom FREE You must register below to get the Zoom link!
(NB you will need to have a Zoom account, don't worry, it's super easy and free). BOOKING CLOSES @ 7.15pm on Sunday We miss the real-ness and the live-ness so we're having a lot of fun playing with how many theatre elements we can bring to this. We can't wait to share and connect with you (and your furry friends!) Line Up below Make an Evening of it Many of us make an evening of it when we go to the theatre, so why don’t you do the same? Here’s a few suggestions:
We’d love to see any photos of you embracing any of these suggestions or any of your own theatre rituals! Use the hashtag #bothfeetLIVE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Arrive early to have drinks with friends In Zoom I (the host) have the power to allocate people to Break Out Rooms. If you would like to hang out with other people before the show starts, you can let me know in advance HERE - or you can let me know if you’re up for being put in a room with a few strangers! I will put you back in the same rooms for the interval. And please don’t worry - if you don’t want to socialise before the show just arrive any time and keep your video off. A note from Steph: These last few months have been hard but they've also presented many of us a chance to reflect, discover and develop as people and as creatives. I have been carefully designing courses to help actors (and me as a director!) to fully embrace technology, to find the fun with it and to trust it’s still possible to connect with scene partners and whoever is watching too, even with miles between us. It has been a new challenge gracefully accepted by those I've been working with. Through playing, exploring, discovering and jumping, we have come to see that working in your home alongside family, housemates, children, pets, neighbours and washing machines (!) is different - but very much doable. More than doable. Both Feet LIVE is a way for us to connect with you. You, the audience, are the heart of live theatre and we’ve deeply missed you. See you on Sunday we hope. Steph x Promo Vid with thanks to James @ Shift Focus 
Missing live theatre? Us too.
Theatre meets ZOOM: Live performances by the Both Feet community Sunday 28th June 7.30 - 9pm ("doors" open from 7pm) @ Your Place, Zoom FREE RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW (NB you will need to have a Zoom account, don't worry, it's super easy and free). We miss the real-ness and the live-ness so we're having a lot of fun playing with how many theatre elements we can bring to this. We can't wait to share and connect with you. Make an Evening of it Many of us make an evening of it when we go to the theatre, so why don’t you do the same? Here’s a few suggestions:
We’d love to see any photos of you embracing any of these suggestions or any of your own theatre rituals! Use the hashtag #bothfeetLIVE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Arrive early to have drinks with friends In Zoom I (the host) have the power to allocate people to Break Out Rooms. If you would like to hang out with other people before the show starts, you can let me know in advance HERE - or you can let me know if you’re up for being put in a room with a few strangers! I will put you back in the same rooms for the interval. And please don’t worry - if you don’t want to socialise before the show just arrive any time and keep your video off. A note from Steph: These last few months have been hard but they've also presented many of us a chance to reflect, discover and develop as people and as creatives. I have been carefully designing courses to help actors (and me as a director!) to fully embrace technology, to find the fun with it and to trust it’s still possible to connect with scene partners and whoever is watching too, even with miles between us. It has been a new challenge gracefully accepted by those I've been working with. Through playing, exploring, discovering and jumping, we have come to see that working in your home alongside family, housemates, children, pets, neighbours and washing machines (!) is different - but very much doable. More than doable. Both Feet LIVE is a way for us to connect with you. You, the audience, are the heart of live theatre and we’ve missed you, deeply missed you. See you on Sunday we hope. Steph x Promo Vid with thanks to James @ Shift Focus  I have been quiet on this because I couldn't find the words even though I needed to speak. So I'm just going to keep this really simple.
Over the last few weeks I have done a lot of thinking about, and listening to, and reflecting on, the Black Lives Matter movement. My heart is heavy for many people whom I know, and many people I don't. What Adam and I want to say is that our space is safe. I won't say everyone is treated the same, because no one is the same, we all need different things but we do, and will, open our arms to everything that you are and everything that you bring with you. Many of us want more understanding, empathy and action and we want to learn and be educated so if there's something you think we can do better or to open our arms wider, we're all ears. Steph (and by proxy, Adam) xxx |
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Listen with your Gut, not your Head