ACTING CLASSES
Classes, workshops and coaching for professional actors.
Welcome to Des Fleming Acting. I’ve been a professional actor for over thirty years; working extensively on stage and screen in Ireland, Australia and the UK. I’ve performed in feature films, drama, sit-coms, musicals and classic & contemporary theatre. My teaching draws on my lived experience and wide knowledge of techniques to help actors grow and develop their craft. I’m a passionate and inspiring teacher.
With increasing frequency, I have coached actors to audition success. I have also worked closely with actors in finding levels of depth in their performances that they previously have not experienced. My approach is heavily influenced by Uta Hagen*, Larry Moss and Ivana Chubbuck*. Collectively they have nurtured numerous stars of stage and screen, and have long been associated with acting excellence. Like these renowned teachers, I believe regular practise of your skills is key to unlocking your talent and achieving mastery in your work.
*I’ve completed teacher training at HB Studio, New York and Ivana Chubbuck Studio, Los Angeles.
WEEKLY SCENE STUDY
Weekly Scene Study offers actors an ongoing opportunity to practise and develop their craft. The class has three guiding principles – exploration, preparation and play. These principles provide a path to freedom for an actor. By applying them effectively, we can unlock your imagination and creativity, allowing you to bring power and truth to your performance.
Actors work in pairs on specially selected scenes. We combine detailed script analysis with a rehearsal-based practice, in order to bring specificity and depth to the material. By drawing on your individuality and humanity, a powerful transformation can occur. The goal is to give you the tools that allow you be fully in service of your characters.
Learning Outcomes:
– Develop a technique for stage and screen
– Freedom and spontaneity in your play
– Make dynamic, effective choices
– Create compelling characters
– Virtuosity in the work
“I would strongly recommend Des as an acting coach. I’ve been amazed by the high level of dedication and commitment that Des brings to every lesson. It has helped me to bring more depth to my acting and helped me understand what works best for me and I’ve been able to bring that, with confidence, into my acting work outside the class. These days I’m attending scene study on a weekly basis; it has become my acting gym!” Angelica Andersson
“It’s been a great class. I’ve really enjoyed it. The people are so supportive. The selection of material is very thoughtful. It’s an environment where you feel able to stretch yourself, to make bold choices and make mistakes. It’s a great opportunity for growth.”
Nick Hyde
“It’s such an amazing space. Great for exploration. Helps you go deeper with your craft. The constant feedback is the most useful aspect, because there’s time to implement and really drop in. If anyone has an opportunity, they should definitely do it. I’ve learnt a lot.”
Elizabete Pauliute
“Would 100% recommend this class because it’s important for actors to have a very safe, playful, creative space to enter every week. I really enjoy the amazing community, plus the sense of joy and lack of ego in the room. I would say make the investment in yourself and your career.”
Mel Gleeson
“I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who’s looking to develop their skills. The most useful aspect of the class is Des’s ability to nurture and guide people to places they want to get to but aren’t sure how to get there yet. Watching other people discover new things about their acting ability has been really exciting to see.”
Richard Lund
IN-PERSON CLASS:
Starts: Friday 2 May 2025
Where: Theatre Deli, London
Duration: 8 weekly classes, 1pm to 5pm
Application deadline: 11 April 2025
Fee: £395
ONLINE CLASS:
Starts: Monday 7 April 2025
Where: Zoom
Duration: 4 weekly classes, 7pm to 10pm
Application deadline: 24 March 2025
Fee: £200
*No class Monday 21st April due to Easter. We’ll work on Tuesday 22nd instead.
THE ART OF AUDITIONING FOR SCREEN
This weekly online class is for actors who want to develop their screen audition technique. The aim is to help you create stand-out self-tapes.
We focus on auditioning with freedom and joy – how to make choices that ensure you act from the gut rather than the head. The class is built on two principles; the art of screen acting is the moment-to-moment response to the other, and auditioning is about creating not competing.
Key aspects of the work we will do together will include finding specificity in your choices built on the information in the script and breakdown; bringing spontaneity and immediacy to your performance; and acting from impulse rather than a pre-planned set of responses.
We’ll also dedicate time to creating a repertoire of character types unique to you. This will enhance your cast-ability and allow you to approach any genre with confidence. Great characters are not invented on the spot, they are developed through practise over time.
Open to actors with industry experience or professional training.
Online. Max 8 participants.
Starts: Monday 12th May 2025
Where: Zoom
Duration: 6 weekly classes, 6pm to 10pm *No class Monday 26th May
Application deadline: 28 April 2025
Fee: £375
COACHING
I offer 1:1 coaching for auditions, self-tapes and preparing a role.
Every Audition is an opportunity to create connection; to build a relationship with a particular casting director, or creative. It’s not just about the role you’re auditioning for, it’s an investment in your future career. Your goal in the audition is not to prove you’re a great actor. Your goal is to embody the material, and bring a character to life in the most truthful way possible. That’s how you stand out.
Self-tapes can be stressful. Being relaxed and able to focus solely on your character’s experience is crucial. That’s why I spend time analysing the material in advance so I can offer direction that connects you to the life of the scene. My aim is to create a performance that cuts through to the unique audience that will be watching your tape.
You’ve got the Role – congratulations! Now for the fun part: working with the material to create a truly memorable, fully embodied character. So, how do you excavate the script to unlock the treasures it contains? How do you build a backstory that inspires bold choices? How do you ignite your imagination? I’ll help you do this using a detailed process that focuses on creating layers and truthfulness in your performance.
Online or in-person.