(By Interview only - experience necessary)
This Lab is curated for directors who are ready to work deeply over time. Admission is selective and by interview only: for directors, emerging or experienced, who are actively seeking to expand their rehearsal process and collaborative tools.

Each Lab includes 7 sessions, with 12 carefully chosen directors and 12 experienced actors. Sessions take place on Thursday evenings, 6:30–10pm, in Central London.

The craft of directing actors which most might have read about in Judith Weston’s books will only come with practice, hence the reason why Judith originally setup the AD LAB 15+ years ago. Many of Judith’s students went on to win awards and become nominated for Oscars - they make it no secret they learnt everything they knew at the LAB. There are countless months if not years before we as directors get to be on set, why not hone our skills and learn to better communicate with actors in a safe and supportive environment so that we avoid mistakes when we are finally on set.

• Next Lab September 3 •

By Interview Only
Applications Open

7-Week Lab Cost: £515

(Admission by interview – open to all levels)

Designed for directors who are unable to commit to the full 7-week Lab, the Intensive is a two-day immersive experience focused on the craft of working with actors. It takes place over a Friday evening and a full Saturday in Central London.

The Intensive brings together 6 directors and 12 experienced actors. While it is open to directors with less experience, admission is still by interview—though the process is less selective than the full Lab. Directors are paired with two actors in advance of the Lab.

Friday evening focuses on the director’s toolkit: script analysis, rehearsal technique, and communication.

Saturday is dedicated to rehearsal, with each director working on one scene with professional actors in a partially supervised setting.

Due to time constraints, each director will direct one scene only.

Upcoming Intensive Labs:

• August 28 (6pm-10pm), August 29 (Saturday 10am-6pm) •

(Limited availability)

The Lab Intensive Cost: £350

A screenplay is the blueprint for every creative department. Before an actor makes a choice, a cinematographer frames a shot, a production designer builds a world or a director steps into rehearsal, the script must first be understood.

This workshop is a practical deep dive into a single screenplay. Together, we interrogate every aspect of the text, exploring structure, character, subtext, dramatic action, emotional turns and visual storytelling to uncover how the script functions beneath the surface.

Participants read the screenplay in advance before joining a live online session. Professional actors read selected scenes aloud, not as a performance, but as a practical tool for interrogating the screenplay and exposing the dramatic architecture beneath the dialogue. Together, we examine how information is revealed, where scenes turn, what characters are really pursuing and how each creative department might approach the material.

Designed for directors, actors, writers, producers, cinematographers, production designers, editors and anyone working in film or theatre, this workshop develops the analytical tools needed to prepare for collaboration. Whether you're shaping performance, designing the visual language of a film or producing a project, understanding how to break down a script is fundamental.

Each workshop focuses on a single screenplay, allowing us to explore it in depth rather than skimming across multiple examples.

Recent scripts explored include:
Can You Ever Forgive Me? Black Swan, Rosemary’s Baby, Midsommar

Next Online Workshop

Hereditary

Dates:

Date to be announced
Join the Waiting List

Cost: £110 – Limited spots available

A Two-day workshop designed to deepen your understanding of the craft of acting (You must be present for both days)

Day 1: Introduction to Acting Technique

Basic acting techniques

The use of imagination

Improv exercises

Day 2: Scene Work

Prep and rehearse a scene

Present the scene and be prepared to be directed

PRICE : £275

Next Date: TBD