Scene Discovery BRUM

With Lorna Nickson Brown

A scene study class for both professional actors and non-professional actors to explore material that awakens and invigorates. Informed by her training at the acclaimed Drama Centre London, Lorna works with the The Laban-Malmgren System of Character Analysis, the Stanislavski Method and live improvised music to discover and awaken inner lives and physical responses. This class is designed to make you a more open, responsive and truthful actor.

Lorna delivered seven free sessions for 40 West Midlands based actors in 2024 at Grand Union, Digbeth, funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority, HM Government Commonwealth Games Legacy Funding.

Past workshops

10 May 2024

A Streetcar Named Desire

5 August 2024

Crimes of the Heart

12 October 2024

A View From the Bridge

26 October 2024

You Can Count on Me

9 November 2024

Little Miss Sunshine

23 November 2024

The Power of the Dog

25 January 2025

Living

  • I'm incredibly grateful to have found Lorna and feel very lucky that I have had the privilege of attending her Scene Discovery classes. Lorna creates such a warm and nurturing environment to grow as an actor, a safe space that inspires courage and vulnerability, openness and a complete embrace of the journey. As actors it can be easy to overthink or get stuck in your head. Lorna has such a talent for helping an actor to stay in the moment and be present and in doing so such beautiful moments of connection are created. She directs with such a calmness I have never experienced before. You will leave each class feeling confident, inspired and empowered. Thank you Lorna for creating such a special and unique environment to fulfil our potential as actors.

    Catherine

  • Scene Discovery has provided me with a rare environment for creative play, which we constantly need as actors in order to hone our craft. With Lorna's careful guidance, a safe and welcoming environment is cultivated amongst strangers that allows us all to quickly feel comfortable with one another and fully embody the characters we are studying. There are few classes I have attended that have so expertly taken actors of all experience levels through such a variety of techniques and make them useful no matter if it's your first or hundredth time using them.

    Ankit

  • The Scene Discovery workshops are so rewarding. Under Lorna's guidance you really get to work in depth on a scene, with the kind of exploration you only get in a rehearsal room. The atmosphere is so supportive and you can take risks and challenge yourself. There's nothing like this in Birmingham and we're desperate for it. To get workshops of this standard you have to go to London or Manchester which is an expense many of us can't afford so we often miss out. With Lorna offering the Scene Discovery workshops in Birmingham it gives local artists like myself a chance to practise our skills in the Midlands.

    Paula

  • I was so lucky to be part of Scene Discovery’s first cohort. To work on contemporary screenplays of the highest calibre under Lorna’s sensitive and skilled direction, and occasionally with the benefit of another professional creative’s expertise, was a dream - and no long and costly trip to London required for any of our talented and dedicated group.

    Julia

  • Lorna's Scene Discovery classes have proved invaluable to me as an actor. I have learned so much from the sessions I've attended through performing but also watching my peers under her direction. Her way of working with actors really produces truthful, honest work and have inspired me and increased my confidence. These classes are exactly what Birmingham needs to help develop local talent.

    Lewis

  • Scene Discovery is a fundamental component of the Birmingham arts scene. As an actor it is a great opportunity to work on my craft and network with other local artists. Group collaboration is encouraged and combining this with the dynamic use of camera work and live music, creates an acting workshop unlike anything else.

    Kate

  • Scene Discovery has been invaluable to me as an actor. We've worked on a large variety of screenplays which has helped me gain confidence in tackling audition scripts. There's a really generous and collaborative atmosphere in the class and it's been a great way to connect with other creatives in the West Midlands'

    Caroline

  • I attended the brilliant Scene Discovery Workshop, led by Lorna Nickson Brown in Digbeth, Birmingham last year. I can honestly say it gave me, not only more insight into the nuances of performing, but also gave me the confidence to perform in front of an audience of peers. Lorna designed the course to allow actors from all walks of life, with varying experience, to showcase their talents by using an array of different texts. The whole experience was an absolute joy, I met a plethora of actors who I have kept in contact with and I cannot wait to attend the next sessions. Thank you, Lorna.

    Martin

  • I have attended the scene study classes run by Lorna Nickson Brown since last summer & have benefitted hugely from them. As a local artist these classes created a real community & knowledge of fellow actors & writers in the West Midlands. They're also very playful & challenging & specific. I found them very useful for keeping my skills sharp.

    Nadine

  • Lorna’s scene discovery classes not only gave me the chance to meet other actors and creatives in my area, but the space to continue widening my knowledge on ways I can approach a scene in a script. The sessions were a good reminder of the different physical techniques and script analysis tools that I can use to help me tap into my character.

    Hafsah

Sign up

To sign up for notifications about Lorna's future Scene Discovery classes, recommencing in summer 2025, please join the waiting list.

Duration of class: three hours