BE THE CHANGE BLOCK THREE SESSION NINE - MEISNER WITH VANESSA HAVELL

Wonderful session last week with Vanessa Havell leading the group in Meisner! Our second workshop on this technique by popular demand!

The group were led through the Repetition exercises to then start working with text. An amazing process to witness - with the connection and authenticity established between them in the Repetiton exercises moving seamlessly into the textwork.

Vanessa trained as an actress at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

Her professional performing career spans twenty years and she has worked in tv, film, theatre and musical theatre.

Alongside her performing career Vanessa teaches extensively. She recently directed Uncle Vanya and the World Stories project for Arts Ed, where she also taught acting technique classes. She currently teaches acting technique and acting through song on the BA (Hons) course for UWL, and prior to that taught acting at the Margaret Howard Theatre School. She has guest taught at many colleges including Bird, Ayr, Conel, and The Actors Class. She has directed numerous plays and musical theatre projects and was assistant director on The Morning (Pentameters Theatre). She also teaches privately.

Vanessa was the founder, manager and artistic director of the 1940’s singing group The Marjorie Belles. Together they performed extensively in England and Europe at many famous vintage events. They were also featured on BBC Radio 2.

Vanessa teaches Meisner at MPAA and has taught sessions for Arts Ed. Together with colleague Kate Maravan she has developed ‘Meisner in Song’, a unique practice that uses Meisner Technique and other presence exercises in song to help performers free their voice and discover new and creative ways to help them remain present and connected when singing.