Hello, my name is Brigid Panet. I am a freelance teacher of acting and a theatre director working mostly at RADA and also at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The Actors Centre in London and The Lir in Dublin. Next month, gong to Madrid to work with actors there.
I am fascinated by the processes of acting; have written a book of my working methods (Essential Acting, pub. Routledge.). But that’s not enough because I keep learning from the actors I work with. And now (even though my book has gone on to a second edition with more ideas in it) I feel the need to keep exploring and sharing the techniques for confident, truthful playing that are helping the actors who I am teaching.
My main interest at the moment is in the way we learn our lines; it’s an essential skill but can so often be boring, scary and deadening. I have found ways which are simple and enjoyable to use, which give the actor insight, freedom and understanding of the text, character and situation of the scene… or, for auditions, of the speech.
So, occasionally, I will be offering these techniques for you to experience, to see if they help.
The most important thing is our truthful connection with the direct experience of the character, moment to moment; the line learning comes with it, effortlessly! The secret is how to start the creative process, building slowly, securely,cheerfully, the firm foundation.