![]() We had a wonderful chat with Dr Henrie Lidiard answering people's questions about our Enneagram for Actors, Writers & Makers Retreat, 5-14th October. Click on the videos to get a feel for us and the retreat and if you want to know more you can get in touch.
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I am the founder and creator of Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat in North Wales. It's where we run our actor training retreats, it's also where I coach humans in their humaning but we also hire it out. I've noticed that generally bookings are for the weekends which means this beautiful space is sat there unused many week days. So I thought, why not open it up to creatives wanting to get away, rehearse, create and be inspired on those quieter days at a discounted rate? It sleeps up to 12 people and has a beautiful and adaptable studio space which overlooks the valley and rolling hills. It's hard not to be inspired here really. It has a piano and huge bifold doors to expand the space in the warmer months. If you would like the gather the team and get away for some creative time, this is your place. "Wonderful accommodation built to a high standard, with the user in mind. The studio provided an excellent communal space and there was also a roof terrace with breathtaking views. The lounge / kitchen was the perfect space for our group of nine to chat and prepare food." - Google review, May 2022 So long as it's out of school holidays you can book in advance to grab the dates you want.
The logistics: A nonrefundable deposit of £200 will be required to secure your dates A minimum of 3 nights during the week @£200/night (instead of £455/night) Monday to Friday This discounted rate is only available for theatre and film creatives and makers (excludes classes or money generating bookings and/or corporate groups) Your booking includes the entire building: kitchen studio balcony 3 en-suite bedrooms, 12 beds, seriously comfy mattresses parking internet Any questions, I'm here. Steph x
Tuesday 19th April, 7pm
@ Slung Low, Holbeck, Leeds You are invited to our 5th Birthday Party!
I started to write this blog when it was still 2021 but I couldn’t find the words so I left it alone. I have now returned as it feels like this last year is far too important to go unmarked. It’s hard to comprehend the difference between right now and a year ago. The studio was known as “the outbuilding”, it was derelict and surrounded by piles of mud and the rest was simply a concept - no website, no booking system, no logo. I couldn’t even begin to imagine that it would actually be something, let alone what it actually is. There are wonderful actors/humans in my life now who I hadn’t even met yet. I hadn’t been white water rafting or stand up paddleboarding or even wild swimming and I certainly hadn’t danced the five rhythms. Goodness, it had been over a year since I had even taught The Meisner Technique! Almost everything I was doing was online, including making a show and I had forgotten what it was like to be in a room with you, to hold you, welcome you with my arms open. And now I haven’t run an online class in months because I’ve been so busy being with you. Every single day I’ve worked to recreate the balance of being a mum, teaching, coaching, running a business, building a new one and managing, creating and designing "the build" whilst somehow also (just about) being a wife and a friend. I’ve had to integrate self care into every element of my doings so I could be mentally, physically and emotionally well enough to keep up the juggling act. Sometimes I’ve felt like I was failing (which is totally ok) and other times like I could run the world (also totally ok!). Covid scuppered many plans. Notably (but certainly not limited to…) pushing mine and Sam Brady’s Arts Council Funded project back (and back and back). It pushed the cost of building materials up (and up and up) to 80% which meant we found ourselves in mega financial trouble as we built the studio, taking out loans we didn’t know how we would pay back. It closed down classes we had booked in and filled up. It even shut down the first Both Feet Retreat in July which was utterly devastating after everything we did to get open in time. And it’s meant that Adam has had to be working many hours at Leeds Conservatoire designing options for every scenario so he’s not been able to work with us at all. Covid has certainly kept us on our toes. BUT… Goodness. I now have Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat here at the top of our drive in North Wales which is home to all of Both Feet’s actor training retreats. I’ve had actors travel from all over the UK to stay with me here and deepen their understanding of their craft and strengthen their relationship with themselves. Together we’ve jumped off epic rocks into freezing cold water, rafted and SUPed the white waters, slept under the stars, made fire, foraged, done scene work in the river, created showreels and shared bread. We have all changed and there are no words available to express how much richer my world is for sharing these experiences with those who have come here. I ran weekly classes in Manchester where actors were traveling from as far as Norwich and Newcastle each week to hone their craft with us - every class a surprise. I’ve questioned everything about my practice, who I am as a human and a coach. I am changing and so is my work and those who have been training with me have been journeying with me too - which takes real courage to move with the changing tide. I’ve worked with James at Shift Focus to provide beautiful headshots and Fly Girl Films to create unscripted showreel scenes. We have continued to develop my relationship with the very honest, knowledgeable and world renowned voice coach and director Barbara Houseman whom again, rocked my world and changed my work. I taught acting to acting students in Manchester’s ICTheatre for a term. I have teamed up with Dermot Daly of Arts Peers and offered full & half scholarships so there’s open access to our training - something we’re building into the fibre of Both Feet. I’ve been taking 3 groups of stunning humans (and actors) through a programme I designed in 2020 using Free Writing as a tool for change. The process and people are deeply embedded in my heart and continue to change me. I also retrained as a Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and extended my multiple brain integration techniques by training as a Master Coach. I began my journey in the Enneagram with Hen of NLP in the North and completed the Loving Your Life in 30 Programme. Developing myself as a human has been vital to my ability to keep working honestly with you. And on top of that Adam and I have received phone calls throughout the year from actors who have ended up in dream roles in TV and theatre and accepted places at drama schools they’ve been fighting for since they were old enough. Those are definitely the best kind of calls. The Meisner Technique is at the core of what we do but our training is not about being “good at repetition”, repetition is simply the springboard in. Our training is about offering you a safe space to really, truly, deeply learn how you do you so you can serve yourself as a human and an actor and those calls tell us we’re doing ok. It’s cold today but the sky is blue and I am ready for you 2022. I promise I will keep on learning and developing, questioning and challenging. I will turn work off at the end of each work day and I will have time out each month, so I can serve myself and those around me better. The more present mum I am, the more present coach and teacher I will be. Thank you to every soul who has joined us, shared a part of themselves with us and helped us in any way. You are deeply appreciated. I’m also sorry to anyone who hasn’t heard back from me about various things - I hope you can understand why. Please give me a nudge if you feel you can forgive me. And finally... Both Feet has just turned five years old and what a way to mark how far we’ve come. Who wants to help me organise something to celebrate?! Steph xxx
End this year with self care, love & connectionHi, I’m Steph. I’ve recently opened Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat in north Wales which sleeps up to 12 people. I’ve been struck over and over recently about people who may spend Christmas on their own or are seriously in need of something different to give their hearts a chance to heal and it just occurred to me that instead of opening the retreat to Airbners this Christmas, that it could be put to better use closer to my heart and values. So if you know a theatre/film maker or creative who's in need of connection this Christmas, please, please share far and wide. I’ll keep it simple for now... Come to North Wales for some self care over Christmas. 23-27th December #PayWhatYouCan You’d spend a few days in the rolling hills of North Wales, going on adventures, resting, playing, sharing food and most importantly, connecting. I’ll spend some time with you exploring you, self care, mindful practice and we’ll go for a beautiful walk. You'll need to send in a video introducing yourself so I can make sure the people who come here are well suited - it’s an integral part to of how this space runs beautifully and easily. Simply fill in this form to register your interest.
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 ![]() Money is tight. Headshots are important, an investment, your marketing material. Yet for some reason I see so many actors be unprepared when it comes to choosing photographers and attending their shoot. Here are a few thoughts from me on making every penny count.
Since writing this blog we've actually started to run our own Headshot Days with me (Steph) coaching and James of Shift Focus behind the camera. Find out more HERE. ![]() Money Talk I'll be honest with you, without my teaching I won't earn a penny. Both Feet is my full time job and I'm the sole provider for my lovely little family so I'm not sure what our way through is yet but I'm trusting we will find a way. I also know that you will be in a very similar position and for many of you money is now a serious issue - potentially to the point that it's hard to put food on the table and pay rent let alone pay for training. SO... For now all the online stuff, I'll do on a (guilt free) Pay What/If You Can basis and I'll trust that if you can give anything at all, you will and if you can't, from the bottom of my heart, it's OK. Yes, we all have bills and food to pay for, this isn't about money, this is about working together. This is about adjusting and exploring something new, our now. (With that out of the way) Let's Play Obviously there are certain things we can't do online, and that's good, because at least it means that when this all blows over we won't have created a world where everything can be done online so we will have to reconnect in person! BUT there are things we can do, which is ACE. Let's keep working, keep challenging ourselves and flexing those muscles. It's good for our head, heart and gut. So over the next few days and weeks we'll be releasing some fun challenges and things to do and we'd love for you to get involved. It might be for just you, you and another actor (familiar or not) or even you and your family. Either way, it'll keep you on your toes and ready for anything whilst continuing you on your journey of simplifying, calming the chaos and trusting. We'll be looking at...
I shall be looking into online platforms which means some of these we can do and share together and others we'll do on a 1:1 or a 2:1 basis. They're just the ideas bouncing around atm, I'm sure there's a million more. Do you have any other ideas or things that would be useful to you during this time? Tell me what you need - you know that's the most important starting point for me. Drop me and email stephanie@both-feet.co.uk ARE YOU IN? ARE YOU UP FOR SOME CHALLENGES AND SOME FUN? Right, I've been working since 5am so I'm going to switch off now and pick up again tomorrow. Steph xxx ![]() As actors, makers and creators many of us already live with a lot of uncertainty, it comes with the territory, sadly so does depression and anxiety. So I know that for many of you this may be feeling heightened as each announcement comes and jobs / gigs / shows / events get cancelled. It is with a heavy heart that I finally announce Both Feet classes will be putting their feet up (temporarily). We don't yet know what this looks or feels like and even though our heart is heavy we are still feeling optimistic. Why? Well... There is one thing I know for sure: you and me, we're resilient f*ckers. We have the special kind of brains that adapt, that turn a challenge into something beautiful. We see ways to make use of what we have now. Yes our worlds are changing. Yes we may feel overwhelmed / scared / [insert word of your choice] but let's all take a moment, step back and check out the massive sack of resources we have. What do we know from our training?
When Shakespeare was quarantined because of The Plague he wrote King Lear If you're someone who can get stuff in your head and need to calm the chaos (and even if you're not!) then definitely take this time to connect with your present self. Replaying the What Ifs through your mind is probably not going to be great for you so trust you have loads of tools to help with that, if you choose to use them.
That's all I have to say right now. I'm going to figure out ways we can stay connected, because we need to so if you have any ideas, talk to me. We are a family, we'll get through this together. All the love, Steph xxx and of course, Adam sends his love too "Onward we go! We’ll be fine, we got this. Plus, if we can be useful to any of you you know where we are." 🙌🏻 Every time I design a new course or come up with a new idea, it’s always in response to listening to actors talking about things they’re struggling with or frustrations about the industry. I’ve seen a lot of headshots over the years. Some great and some really, really poor ones. When an actor joins this industry, how do they know what is good or not? How do they know how to prepare themselves properly for the shoot and do they even know themselves well enough to be creating their sales pitch in the first place? It got me thinking. I approached my really rather talented cousin James of Shift Focus / James Green Photography to see if he wanted to join forces to offer headshots to actors training with us at Both Feet. He was totally game. And what a wonderful treat for me - I only have three blood relatives left and he’s one of them so getting to bring together our two lives/major passions is really quite special. James is technically a phenomenal photographer, he absolutely knows his stuff. He is most definitely an artist rather than someone who’s just bought a nice camera so I knew our skills would be a perfect match. The biggest hurdle with headshots is providing a space where an actor can be themselves, which means it needs to be safe. I figured if I’m working with actors who I’ve been training, they already trust me, they already know the space will be safe. Plus I know them well enough to be able to coach them on different looks and through any struggles they might be having and push them to be simple but bold and brave. I’m a firm believer that we’re better together. So, instead of doing solo shoots I wanted to run a whole day shoot with up to 8 actors. This would mean everyone would have time to change clothes and hair etc without a load of pressure but most importantly comradery would lift spirits, ease nerves, offer inspiration and raise the bar. James and I ran our trial shoot in January and I’ve got to say, we’re both pretty chuffed with the outcome. Always learning and ready for what's next, we’re now planning our next Headshot Day and designing a similar set up for Showreels - very exciting!! It’s worth saying that I have zero interest in going into headshots and showreels but I do have a deep rooted investment in the actors I work with so, what James and I are offering will only be open to actors training with Both Feet. See you soon? Steph x I am chuffed with my new acting head shots, they have already got me some good auditions. James is a highly skilled, friendly and hard working photographer. During the session I felt relaxed and really enjoyed myself too. I have been acting for 10 years now and had lots of head shots done, but these are my favourite! ~ Josie Cerise |
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