Helen Tolson

Helen has extensively studied movement training for Actors, working with Philip Zarrilli, (Kalaripayattu) Desmond Jones (mime and physical storytelling) Eva Schmale (Gindler Technique) Genadi Bogdanov (Theatrical Biomechanics) and Alexander Technique for actors (Michael Hardwick) and has particular research interests in Body Language and Micro-expressions in performance,Alexander technique and Animal Studies. She also directs Third Year Public productions which have included recently The Crucible, Be My Baby, Women of Troy, J.B Priestley’s Dangerous Corner, Welcome to Thebes, The Accrington Pals, Napoli Milionaria, Yerma and The Love of The Nightingale and co-directs on the Graduate Showcases for Third years at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and Soho Theatre in London.

Helen worked as an actor for ten years before becoming a Director/ Writer and Acting coach. . She continues to work within the North West Theatre industry and has been an Associate Artist at The Lowry Theatre, Salford from 2014-2018 where she directed Northern Voices in the studio and ran their Adult Actors series of workshops on Russian Directors, American Realism and the Devising for Theatre workshop series for them. She was also an associate teacher at Propel Actor Training (now ICAT, Manchester and London) in 2012 and continues to work as a freelance Acting Coach and Director throughout the North West. She was shortlisted for The Independent Radio Drama Productions Award . Her external work has included Journeys End (Greensides, Edinburgh Playhouse) The Ten Show (Blackpool Grand Theatre) The Cockle Pickers (Blackpool Grand Studio/ Fable Arts) and as dramaturg and co-writer on The Count of Monte Christo for Harrogate Theatre/ Thunder Road Theatre Company.