Industry Professionals
“I found working with the Ascend Actors Group to be a creative, stimulating and rewarding experience. Their approach is ethical, professional and imaginative and the interaction thus possible within our workshop was of a high calibre.”
“It was such a pleasure doing a workshop for Ascend Actors Group, whom I admire hugely. Great atmosphere, beautifully organised, really felt we all learnt something from it. I look forward to working with Ascend again.”
” It was great to find a group of like minded individuals with whom to share experience of the industry, learn and grow. Ascend’s attitude to working in this business is very similar to my own and I also learned a lot from the high calibre of workshop participants”
” Stephanie runs the whole operation with great warmth, enthusiasm and professionalism. The actors are receptive and responsive and really seem to relish the workshop environment.”
” Ascend Actors Group has a loyal and diverse following. The actors worked hard and listened carefully during my recent film workshop. It was a rewarding time”
“I had the pleasure of working the Ascend Actors Group recently. A fresh and exciting set-up driven by actor Stephanie who constantly pushes to open doors for new, young actors or established industry names. The level of professionalism is second-to-none and as a practitioner and an actor, I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
“I ran a workshop for Ascend this month and I was so impressed by the high standard of the participants. I found dealing with Ascend nothing but a total pleasure -they are a very professionally run outfit and really care about the development of their actors.”
“The actors I’ve met at Ascend workshops are professional, attentive and engaging. It’s great that Ascend provides an on-going training programme for actors to learn and refresh their skills.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Stephanie and the Ascend Actors Group. The actors that attend the workshops are eager to learn, hardworking and committed to their craft.”
“Being one of the industry professionals invited to work with those attending the Ascend sessions has been exciting, inspiring and a practical source of talent. Leading a group workshop (in this instance exploding various ways of approaching Shakespeare’s text), networking and having the chance to combine learning and sharing towards greater career development. I ended up casting one of the group in a play I directed at Theatre 503 so the session proved very beneficial for me. “
“I loved working with Stephanie at The Ascend Actors Group. Stephanie’s incredibly, passionate and organised. There needs to be more people like Stephanie genuinely helping actors in and out of work across the industry “
“I was delighted to be invited to give a workshop to the Ascend Actors Group. Their overall ethos and commitment to their work meant that the workshop was full of enthusiastic, prepared participants and led to a really rewarding session. I found it stimulating, engaging and inspiring and am full of admiration for Stephanie and the members. “
Actors
“After doing my very first workshop with Ascend, which was such integral learning, Stephanie (head of Ascend) put me forward for a paid commercial she new was being cast. I fit the brief and got the job. My acting talent was reconized within the workshop environment by a person I didn’t think was paying any attention. I’ve never known paid work to come from workshops before, couldn’t be more overjoyed! “
“Not only is Stephanie a lovely person, she’s a feeling person, and when she finds something that she knows will make other actors feel good she creates a workshop and – bingo. Yesterday everyone in that room with Jon East was tingling and feeling connected: learning together in a safe, warm environment and they were all there because of her.”
“For my first workshop with Ascend, I’m very pleased to say that I really enjoyed it. A great opportunity to meet some very talented actors and also learn more about your craft and yourself from the wisdom of Nadine Rennie. A have double thumbs-up!”
“Everything I wanted from a workshop: fun, insightful, challenging, and a great opportunity to be seen by one of the leading casting directors in the game. Flawlessly organised and professionally run.”
“Your workshops are the ones I feel I most develop in – and I do A LOT.”
“The myth that casting directors are cold and inapproachable was successfully deconstructed by Alice at this fantastic workshop. She was so warm and friendly, and took the time to get to know every one of us, flagging up potential pitfalls in TV castings in response to our performances. I’m so glad I went – thank you Ascend Actors!”
“Thank you for the workshop with Virginia Gilbert. It was one of the most informative workshops I have been in, over the past couple of years. There was a wealth of information about analysing scenes, auditioning and general common sense approaches that I thought were really helpful…Thanks for the information provided, great collaborative environment, relaxed setting and help…”
“I really enjoyed the workshop, it was very well done. Nadine made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable but kept it very professional. I’d highly recommend a workshop run by the Ascend Actors group to any graduate, professional or experienced performer.”
“I really enjoyed the workshop with Nadine Rennie. It was very informative and inspirational, especially for someone like me who has just left drama school as is trying to find their feet. I left with many nuggets of wisdom!”
“Such an amazing workshop – really fascinating and revealing – I’m still getting revelations from it! Another useful piece of kit for the acting tool box and life in general that I’m hoping to explore further. Thanks Ascend Actors for a great workshop!”
“I had an amazing time at the Ascend workshop with Casting director Nadine Rennie. I felt very comfortable and relaxed within the group, and was very grateful for the amazing advice and tools that Nadine bestowed upon us. I found the feedback from the texts we performed extremely useful, and will most certainly make use of it for future castings. What Ascend are doing is great, and I look forward to joining more workshops in the near future.”
“Thank you so much for letting me into the secret life of the casting director. The workshop was very helpful, great tips, and it was so much fun! Oh how we laughed!!”
“Ascend created a relaxed and safe environment for us to tackle audition technique. Nadine’s feedback was clear, concise and wholly constructive. It was fantastic to learn through watching the other actors work and to see how they engaged with different texts. It was a wonderful opportunity to interact with bold new writing and be part of something special in the room.”
“I really enjoyed the session, Nadine was cool, professional, honest, realistic and hopeful. Even though I’ve had a fair old journey with theatre, it’s still an exciting place with lots to learn & great talent. I saw all that last night, Thank you.”
“The class with Nadine Rennie was really insightful and beneficial. A great opportunity to meet a casting director with this experience and knowledge and to get her views on auditioning today.”
“In an industry where we can’t always do what we love as much as we’d like, Ascend’s workshops allow us to do what we love more often and learn from each other in a safe environment, as well as the opportunity to learn from different casting directors and other people in the industry.”
“Ascend’s Casting for Screen workshop was the tonic I need to reignite a dying flame. A small group that meant we all got time and attention from Gemma Hancock and at three hours for £32 it really was value for money. I learnt invaluable lessons from this and will definitely be booking more with Ascend!”
“It was an extremely valuable and timely workshop. I had a meeting with a new agent and was able to let her know about meeting Gemma Hancock and she was impressed and signed me up 🙂 I have an audition on Monday out of that, and I’ll be prepared in how to present myself as a result of the course.”
“The workshop with Nigel Douglas was excellent. Informative and fun. It was an extremely insightful session into realising the pitfalls actors can fall into when analysing a tv/film script and useful in receiving first hand knowledge and tips from such a renowned director.”
“Thank you Ascend for the opportunity to work with Nigel Douglas last night. The Workshop was really enjoyable and it totally changed the way I will approach a script especially audition scenes. I would 100% recommend to anybody who is considering attending.”
“This was my first workshop with Ascend and a TV director and I it found exceptionally useful and engaging. Lewis wanted to get to know us as people as well as actors. The advice was honest and refreshing and all the practical elements made sure everyone was always involved. Thank you team.”
“Cheers Steph! Thank YOU for organising it. Another Ascend success!
Lewis is brill!”
“The workshop with Lewis was fantastic! It’s amazing how much I learnt from just three hours! I felt a LOT better as an actor after hearing Lewis’ tips and advice. His feedback on the scenes we did was incredibly encouraging and opened my eyes to a new way of working and understanding a scene. Lewis’ advice on auditions and booking the job were brilliant. I have started to look at my career as a business now and I really can’t wait to return again soon!”
“Really interesting evening. Gave me lots of pause for thought moments, in fact still thinking about it ( in a good way)!”
“I had an amazing time at Lewis Arnold’s workshop amongst such great talent. A supportive, safe atmosphere was created where us actors were able to do what we do best – play. Thank you Ascend Actors “
“A very professional workshop, I loved the warm-up at the beginning. We came to work and learn not only on ourselves but also through watching others in the class. We used every minute constructively. Cheers!”
“I loved tonight, and it inspired me.”
“Thanks so much for the workshop yesterday. I really enjoyed it and found Louis’s advice invaluable.”
“I had such an amazing time at the Louis Hammond workshop. It was a very informative and fun workshop and I took away some useful tips I will be using now in my journey as an actor. Thank you again for an amazing experience. I look forward to many more.”
“Thanks for an informative and fun workshop.”
“Thank you for putting together another great workshop; as always, I learnt a lot and it really left me inspired!”
“The workshop yesterday was so wonderful and such a great learning tool for how to be prepared in the industry.”
“The workshop was amazing! It rejuvenated me as an actor in a way I didn’t realise I needed. I spent the three hours excited and energised as well as feeling honoured to be part of this group of actors on this amazing journey! I defy anyone not to have had an amazing time.”
“Thank you the workshop with Anthony was one of the best I’ve had. I feel like it affected how I view my acting life as well as tackling text. Brilliant! Also your Agent List has become invaluable, saving much needed time. Ascend has become a resource I go to first.”
“I really enjoyed the workshop, sometimes it’s just so great to know that you’ve had more or less the right idea about how to do it all along.”
“The workshop was great. The chair chat was something new for me, but it was a new audition technique tool which helps you relax before you jump into the audition. Look forward to more workshops and intensives in the future.”
“Hello there I found the workshop very helpful. Nicci and Marie were really thorough and bonding to my needs cause I have severe dyslexia. I went out of my comfort zone which was really hard but challenging I’m a positive determined focused individual who doesn’t give up easily. Thanks again. “
“I loved the workshop with Jo; it was so in-depth and really, really helpful. It was great to just spend three hours with a really down to earth director. ”
“I really enjoyed the class last night. Jo created a very encouraging and supportive workspace. Her passion and insight is incredible. I came away with so many things to work on and a strong sense of ownership for my work. ”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the workshop yesterday and really love these opportunities that you guys are providing. ”
“I really enjoyed Jo’s workshop last night. She seemed to care so deeply and had a lovely way of making everybody in the room feel important and supported. I honestly felt like she brought out some of my best work and I left the session full of renewed confidence and love for acting. I will be recommending her to other friends, so do try and line her up to deliver a future class! Looking forward to seeing what other workshops I can attend with you. ”
“The workshop was great as it really opened my eyes to the way TV is cast and nothing is more valuable than being given the freedom to do what you would normally do then being given the gift on instruction of how to make it better. Nigel had so much to share, such insight and honesty is inspiring and gives focus to you moving forward. ”
“Today was the most encouraged I have ever felt in a workshop. The attention to detail throughout, from the initial chat to analysing my preparation and research of the text as well as feedback on my performance, has given me a whole plethora of tools and knowledge to take with me to future castings, feeling positive and prepared. I highly recommend all Ascend Workshops to all positive, hardworking actors looking to not only improve themselves and their knowledge but to also feel part of a growing and supportive community. Your workshops are the ones I feel I most develop in – and I do A LOT.”
“I had a fantastic experience, even though I probably talked too much irrelevant stuff. Thanks for giving me the opportunity – it was invaluable. Although I’ve been in the acting business a long time, I constantly crave more insight, advice and tools to better my performance and success and I always come away from the workshops feeling inspired and optimistic.”
“It was so much fun and a great chance to meet new people again and learn from each other. The setup was brilliant – just like and audition and Nigel gave us some valuable advice and feedback that I will definitely use! Great venue and such lovely and supportive people to work with. Will definitely keep going to Ascend’s workshops, they’re great!”
“Last night’s workshop was great and super useful! Will definitely keep doing them with Ascend! ”
The Agent List
“Precise and straight to the point. Helps you find talent agencies near your base and provides their details. Great for those looking for representation for the first time and those seeking new representation.”
“I think your list is very helpful. As an actor I’ve decided to focus on making my own work and developing skills, so I my time is becoming very valuable. You can spend a lot of time writing to agents etc, and this makes the effort worthwhile.”
Money Secrets for Actors Workshop
“Thank you so much! The advice you’ve given me is invaluable. It’s such a stressful topic for most actors but I feel the power is back in my hands now. “
“An invaluable workshop for the creative professional. It was relaxed and inclusive, and thanks for the snacks! “
“A very necessary and helpful tool for actors at any stage of their career. “
“Dear Stephanie and Evelyn! Thank you for inviting me to this workshop. This is a brilliant, supportive idea and I have thankfully gotten a clear idea of how to think of my earning in the LONG TERM. And I emphasis long-term in capitals!”
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