April 17th, 2024New adult drama classes coming to Daylesford

Daylesford is getting its own adult drama classes, run by local theatre company Lab Kelpie.

Led by the company’s artistic director Lyall Brooks (pictured above), a professional actor, director and teaching artist for nearly 25 years, the evening classes at Stanbridge Hall will start Monday 22 April.

First up is an eight-week term of fun group work ideal for beginners and those wanting to refresh past skills, before offering more advanced options as classes grow.

“I’ve worked with community theatre-lovers all across regional Victoria over the last decade, from Gippsland to Shepparton to Glenelg, so it’s wild I haven’t yet done the same in my home town,” Lyall says.

While Lyall will lead the teaching to begin, he has a small stable of other professional artists all skilled in acting techniques and ready to share their expertise as the classes develop and grow.

The direction the classes take will be responsive to the skills and knowledge the participants want to explore.

Over time it’s hoped participants will go on to tackle a variety of different classes and forms, scene study and text work, monologues, improvisation, Meisner and Russian Masters, devising, and even playwriting.

“Daylesford has such a passionate artistic community,” Lyall said.

“We’re crying out for more creative opportunities, so my hope is that we can help fill some small part of that greater need.”