The Actors Lab is a free, high-level training programme for young people aged 15–18 who are serious about pursuing drama school and a professional career in acting.

This is not a general drama group. It is a focused training space for those who are already committed to the work and ready to approach it with discipline, curiosity, and intent.

Sessions are delivered by our co-creative directors Gemma Paget and Sean McGrath. They run on Wednesday evenings during term time at The Hairy Barista in Totnes, and are open to young people living in or around the Totnes area.

The programme is fully funded as part of a shared commitment to give back to our local community. Narrative Alchemy brings its knowledge and experience in actor training and performance, while The Hairy Barista provides the space as part of its ongoing support for arts and culture in Totnes.

Across the programme, participants will explore a range of approaches to acting, including text work, character development, objectives and actions, improvisation, voice, movement, and audition technique. There will also be a focus on self-taping and preparing for the realities of drama school applications.

The work will be practical, detailed, and ongoing. Participants will be expected to learn lines, prepare material, and engage with tasks between sessions. The Lab is as much about what happens outside the room as within it. Commitment, consistency, and a willingness to take responsibility for your own development are essential.

The group is intentionally small, allowing for individual attention, detailed feedback, and a level of rigour that mirrors conservatoire-style training.

Places are offered through an application process, including a self-tape audition.

The Actors Lab is for young actors who are ready to take the work seriously, to commit to the process, and to begin working with the mindset and discipline of a professional actor.

To express your interest and receive application details, please get in touch.