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With Elemental Theatre
A dedicated space for actors, performers, writers, and theatre-makers seeking practical training and deeper creative understanding.
Our articles combine professional industry experience with academic rigour, offering expert insight into acting techniques, performance analysis, script development, directing, sound design, and theatre training. Written by a Doctor of Theatre and working industry professionals, these are resources built for those who want to strengthen both their craft and their critical understanding of performance.
Whether you're preparing for drama school, developing new writing, refining your acting process, or exploring the theory behind great theatre-making, our learning hub is designed to support performers and creatives at every stage of their journey.
Why Musical Theatre Dialogue Sounds Different From Play Dialogue
Why does musical theatre dialogue sound different from play dialogue? Explore pacing, character, comedy, songs and the structure behind both forms.
Why Characters on Stage Rarely Say Hello or Goodbye: Playwriting Efficiency Explained
Why do stage characters skip hello and goodbye? Learn how entering late, leaving early and sharper dialogue can transform your playwriting.
Achilles and Patroclus: Shakespeare’s Most Obvious Gay Couple Found in Troilus and Cressida?
Are Achilles and Patroclus Shakespeare’s clearest gay couple? Queer evidence, scholarship and stage history from Troilus and Cressida.
Acting Advice: Building a Historically Accurate Character
Learn how actors can research historical characters using context, primary sources, family history, culture and behaviour to build truthful performances.
How to Get Your Child Into Acting
Discover the essentials of Child Acting and help your young star shine. Learn how to navigate the Child Acting industry with confidence today!
How to Learn Lines Fast as an Actor
Discover 10 science-backed tips for Learning Lines fast as an actor. Master memory recall with practical advice on Learning Lines effectively.
How to Become a Film & TV Supporting Artist (Extra): A Practical Guide
Learn how to become a Supporting Artist in film & TV with our practical guide. Discover the role of a Supporting Artist and how to get started!
Stanislavski: The Theatre Technique You've Definitely Seen, Even If You Don't Know It.
Konstantin Stanislavski changed the way actors approach their craft. His ideas reshaped theatre by focusing on truthful, human performances rather than exaggerated or artificial acting. For acting students and theatre makers interested in realism, understanding Stanislavski’s methods provides practical tools for bringing characters to life with honesty and depth. This post explores who Stanislavski was, his key techniques, and why his approach still resonates with audiences t
5 Brilliant Books to Buy for the Budding Scriptwriter This Christmas
If you’re hunting for Christmas present ideas for theatre lovers, gifts for writers, or something genuinely useful for the future Olivier-winner in your life, then look no further. Books are the unsung heroes of gift-giving: thoughtful, personal, and guaranteed to outlast the novelty socks sitting in your Amazon basket.
Writing Comedy - Ronald Wolfe - Book Review
When you’re drawn to the world of theatre, film, or television, and comedy lies at your heart, you’re driven by a single question: what will equip you with the tools to make people laugh? Aspiring writers want to learn their craft—but is Writing Comedy by Ronald Wolfe a must-read?
A Beginners Guide to Writing for the Stage
This guide will help you navigate the essential elements of writing for theatre.
How to create characters that captivate audiences
In theatre, getting into character is more than just remembering lines; it’s about what makes your character tick.
Unlocking Creativity: 10 tips on how to Overcome Writer's Block
Struggling with writer's block? Discover 10 tips to overcome this hurdle and unleash your creativity. Learn how to finish your script, novel
Writing Comedy Characters
Uncover the 9 secrets to crafting unforgettable comedy characters. Learn why character diversity, relatability, and flaws are crucial in wri
The Inspiration for 'Door 2 Door: 1994'
In ETC’s latest show, ‘Door 2 Door: 1994’, playing at Create Theatre in Mansfield on 29th and 30th April, we take the audience back to the drawing of the very first National Lottery in November 1994. Set across multiple houses in the same street, the play feels more like a sketch show, with each scene loosely connected but more or less telling a fully complete story. As such, we wanted each scene to feel very different, and really test us as actors, exploring the realms of co
In Rehearsal - Constellations
Acting in “Constellations” (our upcoming show, written by Nick Payne) is not easy. In fact, playing Roland is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. This is because Roland’s character is not consistent – his character doesn’t go on an emotional journey, he doesn’t develop as the play continues. “Constellations” is set across multiple parallel worlds. That basically means that throughout the play we see the same scenes featuring Roland and Marianne played out in very differ
My Experience of 'Open Audition' casting
Many new actors and graduates of drama degree’s will have inevitably scoured the web for acting jobs.
Learning Your Lines - A Beginners Guide on how to learn lines.
Learning lines can often be the bane of every budding thespian's life when it comes to putting on a show.
Characterising Engstrand in Ghosts
How does a well groomed man in his mid 20’s convincingly step on stage as a haggard old alcoholic on the 15th of September?
Characterising Henrik Ibsen's 'Ghosts'
Like most solutions, the answer lay in trial and error. It’s no secret that none of our cast were able to immediately jump right into role.
Tips for writing for stage. Part Two. Exploring your characters
One of the most fun things to do as a writer is to think up some characters, put them into a situation, and see where the story takes you. This is a great way to write – not only does it make the characters realistic (they’re not doing things they wouldn’t normally do in order to get the story to a certain point) – the script also retains your interest. As a writer, if everything is planned out before you even write the first line, it is easy to get bored. It’s like watching
Tips for writing for stage. Part One: Introducing Characters
Here are some top tips for introducing characters to your audience!
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