Finding Character
Shakespeare through Text, Voice & Movement
with
Hannah Miller,
Anna McSweeney
and
Sarah Perry
full day in the studio
Sunday 25th October 2026 10-5pm
Sadler's Wells, London
Availability is limited–book now
Please prepare a short Shakespearean monologue of your choice.
Finding Character
How does a character move from the page into the body?
What can Shakespeare's words reveal about character? What happens when those words are explored through voice, breath, movement and physical action?
Join Hannah Miller, Anna McSweeney and Sarah Perry for a practical, playful day exploring character and performance through three connected perspectives: text, voice and movement.
Beginning with Shakespeare's language, we will explore how character can emerge through intention, rhythm, relationship, attention and physical behaviour, and how different approaches can open up new possibilities for performance.
Play
TEXT
Shakespeare's language gives us clues about character, intention, relationship and circumstance. Explore how close attention to the text can unlock possibilities for performance.
VOICE
How do breath, rhythm, resonance, articulation and vocal choice affect meaning? Explore how the voice can reveal thought, intention and emotional life.
MOVEMENT
What does the body tell us beyond the words? Explore attention, space, physical behaviour, rhythm and embodied character, and how movement can deepen what the text is telling us.
Together, these perspectives offer different ways into character and invite you to discover what happens when text, voice and movement begin to speak to one another.
Explore
The day will culminate in practical exploration of performance and casting, giving you the opportunity to bring your discoveries into the room and explore how choices made through text, voice and movement affect how a character is communicated.
Please wear comfortable clothes to move in, ideally not too baggy or loose, so as we can see the articulations of the body and the physical & characterful performance choices you are making.
Before the workshop
Please prepare a short Shakespearean monologue of your choice. Become familiar enough with the text that you can experiment with it freely during the day.
Who is this for?
This workshop is for actors, performers and theatre makers who want to deepen their approach to character and explore Shakespeare through practical, embodied work.
It may be particularly useful for performers interested in the relationship between text, voice and physical performance, whether working in classical theatre, contemporary performance, screen or other forms of storytelling.
Hannah Miller
Hannah Miller CDG was the RSC’s Head of Casting from 2008-2022. Previously she worked as Casting Assistant at the National Theatre (1998-2002), Deputy Head of Casting at the RSC (2003-2005) and Casting Director for Birmingham Rep (2005-2008). She now works as a freelance Casting Director and continues to cast My Neighbour Totoro for the RSC.
Hannah regularly works advising actors on professional development and demystifying casting. She has directed the ArtsEd Actors showcase since 2023 as well as showcases at East 15, Bristol School of Acting and Collective Acting Studio. Other directing work: Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream at East 15.
She continues to work on the RSC's Next Generation: Act programme, is a fellow of the RSA and an RSC Associate Artist.
Anna McSweeney
Anna is a highly experienced voice, text and accent coach with an MA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, a BA in Acting from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a BA in English Literature from Warwick University.
She has worked extensively as a voice specialist, most recently in the role of Senior Voice and Text Practitioner at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Anna has also taught at many drama schools across London and provided coaching for prestigious companies such as Disney.
Sarah Perry
Sarah Perry is a Movement Director, Movement Choreographer and Movement, Character & Performance Coach working across film, television, theatre, animation, VR and immersive productions.
Originally grounded in theatre and performance, Sarah brings a deep interest in character, physical storytelling and the relationship between movement, psychology and emotion to her work with actors and creative teams.
Her credits include the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Dream, His Dark Materials, The Salt Path, The Burning Girls and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Sarah is the founder of Shapes in Motion and co-host of The Shapes in Motion Podcast.
Prices
Early bird till the
25th of September 2026
£145
Troupe members use your personalised
discount code at checkout for £20 off
from the
26TH of
September 2026
£165
Troupe members use your personalised
discount code at checkout for £20 off
Considering joining as a member? click here
Troupe membership opens again Autumn 2026
faq
WHERE IS THE SESSION HELD?
Sadler’s Wells, STAGE DOOR (Studio C), Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN (Nearest Tube: Angel, Northern Line). NB. Stage door/Lilian Baylis entrance and NOT main theatre entrance.
Getting here.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE SESSION?
Water, snacks as you are there for the whole day, and comfortable clothes to move in. Class is taken barefoot or in socks.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT OTHER SHAPES IN MOTION WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS?
Do sign up to our mailing list here, you can also say ‘hi’ on Instagram where we post regular updates.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE?
At least 10 mins prior to class start time. Please sign in when you get to reception.
Any concerns or if you need to let us know that you may be late email: [email protected]
IF I CAN'T MAKE IT, WILL I GET A REFUND?
Refunds are given, minus a £10 administration fee, if you withdraw your booking on or before the 15th of October 2026. No refunds after the 15th of October 2026.
HOW DO I BECOME A TROUPE MEMBER?
Details of who and how you can join as a Troupe member, to receive future discounts, can be read here.
Are you ready to develop your skills and inspire your creativity? Move with us and take your skills and confidence to the next level.