BODS BENEFIT FROM AETF LEGACY FUND

Betchworth Operatic & Dramatic Society (BODS) held an acting workshop on Saturday 31 Jan 2026, at a community centre in Reigate.

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The AETF Legacy Grant was used to cover costs for David Rowan, an experienced professional actor and associate director of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. He also runs a childrens' summer theatre workshop at the Barn Theatre, and was an excellent choice to lead the group of 15 adults.

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"The aim of the workshop was to improve basic skills which we wouldn't usually have time to focus on when rehearsing for a production" said Stephen Tickell from BODS. 

 

After introducing himself and doing initial ice-breaking activities, David took the group through a series of exercises in couples and groups, with emphasis on physical acting and how to express character, status and different emotions through movement and body language rather than just speech.

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"Some of this required improvisation and stretching our comfort zones to try different ideas." continued Stephen "but David was careful not to put anyone in an embarrassing situation and always asked for volunteers when an exercise needed to be seen by the whole group."

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