THE LONDON ACTOR DIRECTOR LAB
The hardest part of directing isn't the camera.
It's the actor standing in front of it.
The Actor Director Lab helps directors unlock truthful, emotionally compelling performances through rehearsal with professional actors, script analysis and practical exploration.
Directors develop the confidence, language and collaborative skills to lead actors with clarity and trust.
Founded in London by director Mandi Riggi, a long-time student of Judith Weston, author of Directing Actors.
Drawing on Judith Weston's rehearsal philosophy and years of directing theatre, film and television, the Lab offers directors a practical space to deepen one of the most important skills in directing: working with actors.
More than 180 directors have trained with the Actor Director Lab, many returning to continue developing their practice.
WHY THE LAB?
Working with actors is a directing skill. And like any skill, it has to be practiced.
You can study script analysis. You can learn the language of performance. But becoming confident working with actors happens through doing: rehearsing, experimenting, making mistakes, adjusting and trying again.
The Actor Director Lab gives directors the opportunity to practice that craft with professional actors in a rigorous, supportive environment where creative risk is encouraged.
Because rehearsal isn't just preparation for the work. It is the work.
THE LAB
SCRIPT
Learn to analyse scripts through character, behaviour and the emotional event.
REHEARSAL
Learn how to rehearse, improvise and adapt to get the best out of your actors on the shoot.
COMMUNICATION
Learn to build trust with your actors and become an actor's director.