Meet Your Coach
Aileen Gonsalves
“How Do I make Acting Look Like That?”
“I discovered Meisner’s Repetition Exercise in the leaky basement of the Troubadour in Earl’s Court in the 90’s. I realised I had never seen anything so alive or truthful on a stage before, and I asked myself the question ‘How do I make acting look like that?’ I have dedicated the last three decades to answering that question in creating the Gonsalves Method.”
Expanding Meisner’s Principles
“Embracing Meisner’s principles and expanding them for the modern actor I developed and tested my new method of acting whilst working as Head of the MA in Acting at Arts Ed, and Head of the BA in Acting at Drama Studio, as well as at RADA and other leading drama schools and universities. As well as with professionals in my immersive company Butterfly Theatre.”
Refining the Gonsalves Method
“I refined the method with my company Butterfly Theatre, performing hundreds of shows, applying it to Shakespeare, musicals, new work and immersive theatre. This, along with my 25 years experience working at the RSC, acting and directing with Dame Judi Dench, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and working closely the indomitable Cicely Berry CBE, culminated in the release of my book for Bloomsbury Shakespeare and Meisner in 2021, co-written with Dr Tracy Irish, outlining the Gonsalves Method.”
Spreading the Gonsalves Method
“The Gonsalves Method is now being delivered to professional performers and as a standardised part of actor training in leading UK drama institutions, and my team of accredited teachers are spreading the method to people and organisations across Europe.”
the corporate Industries
“I have translated the Gonsalves Method successfully for the corporate industries, regularly coaching leaders, politicians, business owners, and anyone who needs to communicate their message authentically and effectively.”
“Aileen Gonsalves’ approach is pioneering, exhilarating and inspiring. To experience Aileen’s method is to be given tools for life! It’s no exaggeration to say that she is one of the foremost performing arts innovators of our age.”