Rolling Academy
Screen & Stage Workshops in Central Manchester 🎬🎭
Always led by Working, Industry Professionals
Casting Director JENNIFER PRESSER
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 12th July 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Jennifer Presser, LA Casting Director is leading a TV/Film Workshop. Jennifer will be sent all participant’s spotlights/cvs etc. before the workshop and then will deliver sides to each person to prepare and work on with Jennifer in the workshop. Each scene will be filmed and there will be an introduction from Jennifer and a chance for a Q&A where participants can ask questions and Jennifer can share her knowledge and experience.
Bio: Jennifer Presser is an American casting director known for a wide range of large-scale films and long-running TV series, where she has worked as a Casting Director and Casting Associate. Notable projects include; ‘A Million Little Things’ TV Series (2018-2023), ‘Body Language’ (2023), ‘Everything & The Universe’ (2023), ‘Lilly’ (2023), ‘Alice’ (2022), ‘Bad Moms’ (2016), ‘Claws’ (2017-2018), ‘The Help’ (2011), ‘Dumplin’ (2018), ‘The F**k-It List’ (2020), ‘Extinction’ (2018), ‘Tankhouse’ (2022) and many, many more.
Projects currently in development include: ‘Going Places’ (Stampede Ventures), ‘American Summer’ (2025), ‘Glenrothan’ (Gold Rush Pictures), ‘Clear Lake’ (BMG).
TV/Film Director SEAN GLYNN
- In Person 'Screen Acting' Workshop
- 13th July - 9:00am - 12:30pm
- OR 1:30pm - 5:00pm
Bio:
Sean is an award-winning director. He has been directing for 19 years and his work includes HOPE STREET (BBC) as Lead Director, LONDON KILLS (BBC) as Lead Director, CASUALTY (BBC), THE CASE (BBC), HOLLYOAKS (C4) and HOLLYOAKS LATER (C4), MISSING (BBC), DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (BBC), DREAM TEAM (Sky One), HOLBY CITY (BBC).
He has won awards for Best Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards and Most Spectacular Scene at the British Soap Awards.
He also has just finished his latest short film SNAPCATCH, about online grooming. This follows the critically acclaimed LEADBELLY, which has just won ‘Most Influential Film’ at the Horsetooth International Film Festival in Colorado, amongst many other rosettes awarded.
He believes passionately in supporting and guiding actors in achieving the very best of their potential.
Workshop info:
‘Working With Emotion On Camera’ with Award Winning Director SEAN GLYNN
Sean will be working from pre-delivered scripts, on ways to access and maintain levels of emotion for the camera. Using both technical and practical methods to deliver performances of a high emotional intensity the workshop will be supportive and collaborative. Participants will also explore the subtle differences in acting for the camera, as opposed to acting for the stage, with non-verbal and physical communication, playing with shot size and framing. Performances will be delivered to camera on a 'live' feed.
We will explore all elements of the screen acting process from the initial delivery of the script through to the first take. We will look at backstory, intention and obstacles. The session will be interactive and collaborative giving a taste of the challenges of day to day filming on continuing television drama and film.
This workshop is designed to ensure you don't leave your best performance in the rehearsal, or in the read through but that you deliver it when it matters most. On screen, in front of the camera.
Oscar Shortlisted Director - GEORGE SIOUGAS
- In Person ‘Screen Acting’ Workshop
- 19th July - 10:00am - 1:30pm
- Or 2:30pm - 6:00pm
Screen Acting Technique Workshop with Award Winning Director GEORGE SIOUGAS!
Bio:
George Siougas is a TV Director on CORONATION STREET; EMMERDALE; HOLLYOAKS; CASUALTY; EASTENDERS; THE BAY; VERA and SILENT WITNESS.
George has previously directed on SO AWKWARD; YOUR FAMILY; BIG BANG; SUDDENLY and many more.
A CASUALTY episode of George’s was amongst the four episodes nominated for a BAFTA (2022) and he was also nominated for a BAFTA Craft Award for his work on a stunt block on CORONATION STREET (2022). Additionally one of his CORONATION STREET scenes was up for the Scene of the Year award at the British Soap Awards (2022).
In 2023 George wrote and directed the Oscar Shortlisted film THE ONE NOTE MAN, a short film starring BAFTA winner Jason Watkins with the voice of Ian McKellen and music by Oscar winning composer Stephen Warbeck.
DEBBIE HOWARD TV/Film Director
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 20th July - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Debbie Howard, TV/Film Director is leading an ‘In Person’ Workshop.
Debbie is a regular Director for both CORONATION STREET and EMMERDALE and has just been directing over Summer 2024 for BBC's SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES. Her other TV directing work includes directing her 18th block of DOCTORS for the BBC and directing all twenty episodes of season 2 Broadcast Award-winning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GRANDPA for Saffron Cherry.
Debbie worked as an actor before setting up Big Buddha Films in 2006. She has written and directed several award winning short films, and the critically acclaimed feature documentary, STILL LOVED. Her BFI Network funded short film, SAFE, is due for release shortly. She has directed over 70 episodes of television for the BBC, Channel 5 and ITV. She is a full voting member of BAFTA, BIFA, Cinesisters, Prime Time, Director's UK and Free The Work.
RACHEL SMITH - Casting Director / Assistant at Waterloo Road
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 27th July - 10:30am - 1:30pm
Bio: Rachel has been working in the Casting industry for over 10 years. Rachel was Casting Director for JB Shorts 25 & 26 at 53Two Theatre in Manchester.
Rachel is also Casting Assistant for Michelle Smith Casting Ltd. She has worked all over the UK and in Australia with various different Casting Directors. Currently she is casting for Waterloo Road and various other Channel 5 Series. She has recently been working on The Madame Blanc Mysteries currently streaming on Amazon Prime, and three series currently streaming on Netflix, including The Teacher series, The Holiday, and Deadline. As well as TV Rachel has worked on Films and many commercials over the years and prides herself on finding new talent and fresh faces.
Audition Techniques Workshop: Rachel will send sides to prepare for the workshop, which will be worked on in class. She will then stage a real audition where she will direct you and give you the chance to read a second time. Auditions will be recorded and sent to you after the class. There will also be a short introduction at the beginning of the workshop and some warm up games. Rachel will then host a Q&A at the end of the class where you can ask anything about the audition process in TV, Film or Commercials.
Casting Director JONNY BOUTWOOD
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 2nd August - 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Bio: Jonny has recently has been Co-Casting with Shaheen Baig on the Television series of HANNA (Amazon Prime) and BOILING POINT (BBC).
From August 2023 Jonny started his own Casting office, Jonny Boutwood Casting.
Jonny has been working in casting for 13 years. He began by working in Regional and West End Theatre and then, after three years, moved into TV and Film.
Throughout his years as an associate and assistant, Jonny has been privileged to work and learn from some of the most prolific Casting Directors in the UK. He spent the last seven years working with Shaheen Baig on a wide range of TV series including; THE VIRTUES, THREE GIRLS, THE GALLOWS POLE, I AM series and GET MILLIE BLACK. Also Independent Films, such as; SCRAPPER, PIRATES, THE NEST, SUPERNOVA and RARE BEASTS.
Workshop details: Jonny leads a Casting for TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Jonny, which will be taped and Jonny will give notes etc, and discuss certain parts of the audition process. These tapes will then be sent via email after the workshop. At the end Jonny will lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing his knowledge and inspiration.
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP with Casting Director SARAH LEUNG
- 3rd August - 10:30am - 1.30pm
SARAH LEUNG CASTING DIRECTOR
Full member of BAFTA and the CDG. Jury for BAFTA best casting award 2024. Sarah is well known for her passion in casting a huge range of diverse multi- talented actors for both stage and screen.
Sarah has just completed casting ‘MISS SAIGON’ (New Production, 2025-26 UK & Ireland Tour, Cameron Mackintosh & Michael Harrison).
Other Casting Director Theatre credits include: ‘MIDNIGHT AT THE PALACE’ (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh), ‘CABLE STREET’ (Southwark Playhouse), ‘JINGLECLAW’ (Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘UNFORTUNATE’ (London and UK Tour) (six nominations, Off West End awards, 2023), ‘TRUEMAN AND THE ARSONISTS’ (Roundhouse London), ‘TO WONG FOO’ (Hope Mill Theatre). George Takei’s ‘ALLEGIANCE’ (Charing Cross). ‘CORRIE THE PLAY’ (Lowry), ‘WAITING FOR GODOT’ (Manchester Library Theatre).
Workshop Details:
For both Musical Theatre Actors and Actors who sing. An ‘Acting Through Song’ Workshop. Sarah would like you to bring any song of your choosing. It can be MT, contemporary, country, pop, whatever you want.
There will be an accompanist available throughout to give a vocal warm up first, then play alongside you in the workshop.
Sarah will also lead a Q&A and discussion at the end of the workshop.
Theatre Director - BRYONY SHANAHAN
- 'In Person' Theatre Audition Technique Workshop
- 10th August - 10am - 1:30pm
BRYONY SHANAHAN, Former Joint Artistic Director & CEO of Royal Exchange Theatre is leading an ‘In Person’ Theatre Audition Technique Workshop.
Bryony’s Theatre Directing credits include: BLOODY ELLE (Royal Exchange), NO PAY NO WAY (Royal Exchange), BEGINNING (Royal Exchange), LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (Royal Exchange), NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE (Royal Exchange), WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Royal Exchange), ENOUGH (Traverse Theatre. Winner, Fringe First 2019), QUEENS OF THE COAL AGE (Royal Exchange & New Vic Theatre), OPERATION CRUCIBLE (Sheffield Crucible), CHICKEN SOUP (Sheffield Crucible), NOTHING (Royal Exchange), TRADE (Young Vic), WEALD (Royal Exchange & Finborough Theatre).
Workshop details:
Bryony will lead a mock theatre casting session, mimicking how they’ve cast for real shows in the past. Each participant will be allotted their own mock audition time section, as if recreating a real audition scenario and everyone will be in the room all the time, so we can learn from each other. Sides will be sent before hand through real theatre standard practice alongside clear instructions from Bryony. At the end of the session there will be time for a Q&A and discussion with Bryony.
Very Limited Group Size.
MUSICAL THEATRE Casting Director JIM ARNOLD
- 'In Person' - 16th August - 10am - 1pm
Bio: Jim is a freelance Casting Director of musicals and plays for West End and regional theatres, and for UK and International tours. He established Jim Arnold Casting in 2018, having previously worked alongside many leading Casting Directors in TV, film and theatre. He was the Original Casting Associate for Matilda, the Musical at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Associate Casting Director for Pippa Ailion Casting from 2012-2018. He is a full member of the Casting Director’s Guild of Great Britain and Ireland.
Credits include: Wicked (Apollo Victoria and UK tour); Pretty Woman: The Musical (Savoy and UK tour); The Great British Bake Off Musical (Everyman Cheltenham and Noël Coward); Bonnie & Clyde (Arts and Garrick); Shrek - The Musical (UK tour); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical (Leeds Playhouse and UK tour); Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical (Hall for Cornwall and UK tour); Rock of Ages (UK tour); When Darkness Falls (UK tour); The Prince of Egypt (Dominion); Romeo & Juliet (Metcalfe Gordon Productions); A Christmas Carol (Dominion); West Side Story (Royal Exchange Theatre); Curtains (Wyndham’s and UK tour); Bend It Like Beckham (St Lawrence Centre Toronto); Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Harold Pinter and UK tour); The Mirror Crack’d (Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative); Eugenius! (The Other Palace); The Wedding Singer (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, UK tour and South Korea – Best Musical at the 13th Annual Daegu International Musical Festival 2019); Camelot, Girlfriends and A Christmas Carol (LMTO Concert Series 2018); My Name is Beethoven (Workshop); The Rest is Silence (dreamthinkspeak); Crave and Illusions (Actors Touring Company); DNA (Hull Truck & UK tour); Yerma (Gate & Hull Truck); Pericles (Regent's Park); Lingua Franca (Finborough & 59East59, NYC); Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams (Finborough); Fragile! and Le Mariage (Arcola) and Artist Descending a Staircase (The Old Red Lion).
Workshop Details: For both Musical Theatre Actors and Actors who sing.An ‘Acting Through Song’ and ‘Audition Practice’ Workshop. Jim would like you to bring your own choice of song, cut to 1 - 1 and a half minutes. Your choice of song can be in any style (e.g. contemporary, pop/rock, legit etc.). There will be an accompanist available to play alongside you in the workshop. Jim will also lead a Q&A and discussion at the end of the workshop.
DEBBIE HOWARD TV/Film Director
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 23rd August - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Debbie Howard, TV/Film Director is leading an ‘In Person’ Workshop.
Debbie is a regular Director for both CORONATION STREET and EMMERDALE and has just been directing over Summer 2024 for BBC's SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES. Her other TV directing work includes directing her 18th block of DOCTORS for the BBC and directing all twenty episodes of season 2 Broadcast Award-winning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GRANDPA for Saffron Cherry.
Debbie worked as an actor before setting up Big Buddha Films in 2006. She has written and directed several award winning short films, and the critically acclaimed feature documentary, STILL LOVED. Her BFI Network funded short film, SAFE, is due for release shortly. She has directed over 70 episodes of television for the BBC, Channel 5 and ITV. She is a full voting member of BAFTA, BIFA, Cinesisters, Prime Time, Director's UK and Free The Work.
TV Drama Director EMMA LINDLEY
- 'In Person' 1 DAY INTENSIVE
- 30th August - 10:00am - 6:00pm
1 DAY INTENSIVE Screen Acting Workshop with Award Winning Director EMMA LINDLEY
Bio:
Emma Lindley is an award-winning and highly experienced director and writer working on popular drama series and films in both the UK and US.
Her UK drama directing credits include multiple episodes of ‘Coronation Street’ (2024), ‘Emmerdale’ (ITV), ‘Hope Street’ [BBC1), ‘Holby City’ (BBC1) and award-winning teen series, ‘My Parents as Aliens’ and ‘24 Seven’ (ITV). She is skilled in both single and multi-camera directing and equally happy in studio or on location.
Her authored shorts as writer-director have been shown at festivals around the world and on ITV/Channel 4 and include child-bride drama, ‘Red River’, winner of three Best Film awards (London Short Film Festival). Her feature scripts as writer-director have been funded by South West Screen, shortlisted for Sundance Screenwriters Lab and selected for the UK Filmonomics development programme.
Emma’s work in the US includes directing two award-nominated arts documentaries for Ovation TV. She has a current 01 visa and is represented in the US by Stagecoach Entertainment and in the UK by Linda Seifert Management.
Emma is a voting member of BAFTA and Directors UK and a guest lecturer in directing and acting for camera at NFTS and Met Film School.
Website www.emmalindley.net
WORKSHOP INFO:
If you want to act in television series Emma shows you how to prepare and what to expect, how to really connect with the director and cast and, most importantly, enjoy the whole experience!
Working with pre-delivered scenes, you will prepare, discuss and rehearse them with Emma before shooting on camera live and receiving individual feedback. Find out how working quickly can keep the energy of the scene and focus your performance.
We will cover: preparation vs adapting on the day; how and when to ask the right questions to get what you need; understanding the tone of the show or film you’re in; how to interpret director’s notes between takes and how to stay in character while knowing which camera your on and what the shot is.
We will also discuss how to deliver a strong self-tape.
Emma’s aim is to make you feel welcome from the moment you’re cast to the moment you say goodbye on wrap. The more relaxed you are, the better your performance will be and the more confident you’ll be in every film you collaborate on.
Honing your on-screen technique is the best way to achieve it.
Casting Director SOPHIE PEARSON
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 6th September - 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Bio: Sophie has worked in casting for over 10 years. She started out working with the esteemed Ros and John Hubbard where she worked on projects such as JOURNEY’S END, HURRICANE and THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME.
She then went on to work with Des Hamilton casting where she worked on projects such as BAFTA winning TOP BOY (the company won a BAFTA for Casting series 3), THE KING and JOJO RABBIT. Sophie then left the bright lights of London for the rolling hills of Sligo, where she set up her own casting company Sophie Pearson Casting and now works on international projects across the globe.
Workshop Details: Sophie leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Sophie, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Sophie will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.
Theatre and Games Director - AUDREY SHEFFIELD
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 12th September - 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Bio:
Audrey is an award-winning UK and international freelance director, specialising in new writing, and committed to making work that is rigorous, imaginatively ambitious, and emotionally truthful.
Audrey was Associate Director with the original company of Stranger Things: The First Shadow (West End, 2023 - 2024).
As Director, theatre includes: ‘Jews. In Their Own Words’ (Royal Court); ‘Neighbourhood Voices, Tapestry’ (Young Vic); ‘Perspective’ (National Theatre); ‘The Dybbuk’ (Almeida); ‘We Too Are Giants’ (Kiln); ‘Sleepwalking’ (Hampstead); ‘The Effect, Apologia’ (English Theatre Frankfurt); ‘Skin and Blister’ [staged reading] (Old Vic); ‘The Dark Room’ (Theatre503); ‘The Scar Test’ (Arcola); ‘Almost Near’ (Finborough); ‘Little Flower of East Orange’ (National Theatre Studio).
As Associate/Assistant Director, Theatre includes: ‘Pinter at the Pinter’, ‘Don Quixote’, ‘Don Juan in Soho’, ‘Dead Funny’, ‘Hand to God’, ‘One Man’, ‘Two Guvnors’ (West End); ‘Electra’ (Old Vic); ‘Rapture’, ‘Blister’, ‘Burn’ (Hampstead); ‘Troilus and Cressida’ (with The Wooster Group), ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ (RSC); ‘The Effect’ (National); ‘Blurred Lines’ (National Theatre Studio).
Audrey was recently invited to train as a voice director for video games, and alongside theatre direction, she's since worked regularly at Side and Liquid Violet on numerous acclaimed indie and AAA games as well.
For more information and images of work, please see www.audreysheffield.co.uk
Workshop details: Audrey will allocate scenes for each actor and allocate pairings before the workshop - so that each actor can work with a partner within the group on a theatre text extract - exploring contemporary texts in a curious, playful, rigorous and inclusive room. Audrey will then work with each pair live in the workshop on the text with direct feedback and guidance.
Commercials Casting Director JADE MCCABE and Casting Assistant JOSH ALDCROFT
- 'In Person' Casting Commercials Workshop
- 20th September - 10:30am - 2:30pm
Jade McCabe Casting office have been casting commercials for the past 10 YEARS, casting big budget adverts for gigantic companies like Puma, Adidas, Disney, Porsche & MORE!
Commercials are their own skill. With improvisation, usually non - to very little script and a host of other challenges! How can actors nail that commercial audition??
In this 4 hour workshop, we will be joined by Casting Director Jade McCabe and Casting Assistant Josh Aldcroft, and with them we will dig deep into the office’s vast knowledge on all the things commercial casting, including:
- A talk about commercials
- Self tapes
- Spotlight CV's
- Headshots
- Casting platforms
- Emailing Casting Directors
- How we view headshots on submissions
- How we see actors headshots from a casting perspective
- How we choose actors to audition
Jade and Josh will send commercial scripts to work on, in a form of a ‘Self Tape’ AND in a form of a live mock audition ‘In The Room’. And you will get feedback and tips on BOTH from Jade and Josh! There will also be time throughout the workshop to ask Jade and Josh industry questions.
Past Workshops
Visit Us
Rolling Academy
Tib Street Studio
First Floor 72/74 Tib Street, Greater Manchester M4 1LG
Phone
0161 399 1368
