6-WEEK SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE PROGRAMME (part-time)
Dates: Saturday mornings starting 6th September 2025 (10am - 1pm)
Speaking with Confidence: A 6-Week Course
Whether you’re preparing for presentations, navigating meetings, or simply want to feel more authentic and at ease when speaking, this course offers a practical and engaging path to becoming a more confident communicator. It’s also about enjoyment – to feel clear, expressive and present when you speak.
Over six in-depth weekly sessions, you'll explore tried-and-tested techniques from the world of acting to help you speak with greater clarity, presence and purpose. This is a hands-on course, so you’ll be moving, speaking and experimenting.
NB: Each session builds on the last, with regular practice and dedicated homework assignments between classes to help the skills stick and ensure progress.
We’ll explore:
- Vocal technique: including warm-ups, breath support, articulation, pitch and pace
- Body language: using posture and presence to feel more grounded and assured
- Relaxation and focus: moving from internal nerves to external connection
- Storytelling and structure: shaping content clearly and delivering it with intention
- Improvisation: thinking on your feet and handling the unexpected
- Performance tools: using techniques like Actions and Objectives to land your message
Who is it for? This course is for anyone who feels nervous, self-conscious or stuck when speaking, and wants to change that. It's ideal for those preparing for presentations, interviews, pitches or public speaking, as well as anyone looking to sound more confident in meetings, on camera or in a new role. Complete beginners are welcome, as are those who have had previous coaching and want to build on it in a supportive group. It’s also for anyone who simply wants to express themselves more freely and be heard.
The Acting Lab - Learn to Act, Speak and Live with Confidence!
The Acting Lab has been running high quality Acting courses and Speaking with Confidence coaching in Dundee since 2015. We use a blend of professional techniques and practices from British theatre and American film acting training to develop a solid foundation for acting with truth, emotion, imagination and spontaneity.
The Acting Lab's founder, Elaine Newton, has been coaching people through her popular Speaking with Confidence programme on a 1:1 basis for many years. The group course format gives students the chance to hit the ground running when it comes to talking in front of others; within a structured and supportive environment. (Age 16+)
Tutor: An experienced Actor, Public Speaking Coach, Acting Coach, Director and Teacher, Elaine Newton graduated from RSAMD in Glasgow (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). She also trained in film acting in Los Angeles and at the Bilingual Acting in Paris, using American models for naturalistic acting. In addition, she has trained in London, Paris, Rotterdam and Glasgow with renowned practitioners including Mike Alfreds, Scott Williams, Amy Werba, Nadine George, Jo Estill. She has trained in Improv with the world-leading Second City Improv Chicago, Free Association in London and The Improfessionals in Paris. After teaching acting, voice and movement in Paris and Strasbourg, she established The Acting Lab in her hometown of Dundee nine years ago – a space for innovative acting and public speaking training. Her international training has given her the knowledge base and breadth of experience to provide students with support and inspiration along with structured, practical acting skills and professional techniques from which great confidence can be gained and transferred to any aspect of life.
Testimonials for The Acting Lab's Speaking With Confidence Programme
“Brilliant. I particularly appreciated the fact that everything taught could be applied to daily practice. Highly recommend” (J.T.)
“It was incredible…. When I left all my anxieties has gone completely. I felt so present with the most beautiful energy... I cannot recommend The Acting Lab highly enough” (Laura C)
"Now I feel like I know how to perform, and how to use my voice and my tone, body language and my eye contact to actually create a performance and not just a presentation or speech.” (Sheila H)
“A unique experience that will empower you to reach new heights in your personal and professional life.” (Jude H)
“Not just for actors, performers or anyone requiring to have ‘stage presence’. Working with Elaine has changed my outlook in every area of my life at every level possible” (Kirsten K)
Contact the organiser with any questions: www.actinglab.co.uk