“Shakespeare and Meisner"

Building a Bridge with the Gonsalves Method

Facilitator:  Aileen Gonsalves (Director, RSC, Creator of the Gonsalves Method)


Zoom Workshop Schedule:

  • January 24, 2025
  • 1-2pm EST (USA) / 6-7pm (UK Time)

Aileen Gonsalves

(Director, RSC, Creator of the Gonsalves Method)

Join Aileen Gonsalves, an noted director and performer with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), for an immersive workshop that brings together the art of Shakespeare and the Meisner technique through her pioneering Gonsalves Method. Titled "Shakespeare and Meisner: Building a Bridge with the Gonsalves Method," this interactive Zoom session provides a unique opportunity to explore how to establish authentic connections using Shakespeare's heightened language and create consistently compelling characters.


This workshop is a must for actors seeking to deepen their performance skills, directors looking to broaden their creative toolkit, or anyone interested in discovering the practical ways in which classic and contemporary performance methodologies intersect. Through replicable exercises, fun games, and a focus on personal connection, Aileen will guide you in unlocking a more profound, resonant, and truthful approach to Shakespeare's text.


What to Expect from the Workshop:

Authentic Connection through Meisner and Shakespeare: Learn how to use the Gonsalves Method to break down barriers and engage with Shakespeare's language on a deeply personal level, enhancing both emotional truth and connection.

Creating Unique Characters: Develop tools to make Shakespeare's characters truly your own. Aileen will help you build characters that are consistent and grounded, using exercises that emphasize spontaneity and genuine emotional response.

Fun and Practical Techniques: Engage in interactive games and exercises that you can replicate in your practice. The workshop is designed to be hands-on, fostering both exploration and practical application.

The Gonsalves Method: Get an introduction to Aileen's innovative Gonsalves Method, which adapts Meisner's techniques to the challenges of performing Shakespeare, bridging heightened text with authentic emotional delivery.

Community Interaction: Connect with a group of like-minded individuals who are eager to delve into Shakespeare in a new way. Share insights, experiences, and the joy of learning in a supportive environment.


Acting and Directing Credits:

Aileen Gonsalves has over 25 years of experience with the RSC and has worked alongside such notable figures as Judi Dench and Simon Russell Beale. She was the Associate Director for The Tempest at the Swan Theatre and has performed with Vanessa Redgrave in Hecuba. In addition to her performance work, she has led numerous educational initiatives, including serving as Head of the MA in Acting at ArtsEd and Head of Acting at Drama Studio London. Aileen is the founder of the Butterfly Theatre Collective, known for its immersive site-responsive productions across Europe. She is also an Associate Director at Kali Theatre, a South Asian women’s new writing theatre company in London, and is an acting coach for professional actors as well as leaders in the Green Party of England and Wales.


This workshop is ideal for actors, students, educators, and enthusiasts eager to explore Shakespeare in a manner that feels alive, accessible, and resonant with modern performance practices. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with Aileen Gonsalves, whose passion for truthful, authentic performance will inspire and transform your approach to Shakespeare.