This on-demand course draws on the training methods of legendary acting coach Sanford Meisner.

At the heart of the class is a simple idea: acting is reacting. 

In other words, you don’t need to do anything unless something happens to make you do it.

This turns out to be a great lesson for both actors and improvisers.

Another discovery in this work is that you don’t need any acting craft or improv software to create scenes with emotional depth – it happens naturally with Meisner’s mantra of “Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

Some ideas we’ll explore:

– Being available to what’s actually happening
– What you do doesn’t depend on you
– A moment of silence isn’t nothing
– Vulnerability fuels the scene

Meisner taught Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Alex Baldwin and his students received 37 Academy Award nominations, so he was onto something!

“Improv as it should be…surprising, educational and liberating.”
– Here & Now People Student

“Acting is reacting.”
– Stella Adler

This course is on-demand – register your interest
If this appeals, please register your interest. It’s not a commitment — but you’ll be the first to know before it goes on general sale.

Details

• Dates confirmed once 10 people register
• Aiming for spring 2026
• 2 x Sundays 10:00am to 4:00pm
• £80

Who’s it for?

This course is for anyone interested in acting without a script. It’s primarily aimed at improvisers, but it’s open to actors and aspiring actors too. We’ll explore both dramatic scenes and the truth in comedy.

The work focuses on emotional availability and attunement rather than performance technique.

No specific experience is required, though familiarity with embodied performance or self-expression can help. (Although sometimes starting with less performance “software” can be an advantage.)

About the facilitator

Alex Menhams is the founder of improv school Here & Now People in Woodbridge, Suffolk where he teaches classes that are playful, mindful, truthful and hopeful. 

He teaches and performs improv across Europe and loves exploring the connections between presence, play, mindfulness and humour. He has taught Meisner for Improvisers for Here & Now People and other improv schools.

Alex also works as a facilitator, learning designer and leadership guide (www.alexmenhams.com) and is passionate about the power and possibilities of creative group work.