A NEW LENS; FREEDOM, PLAY & PROCESS
A ONE-OF-A-KIND COLLABORATIVELY RUN ACTOR TRAINING RETREAT
“This retreat was a truly eye-opening experience. It gave me access to a world of acting training that is deeply person-centred, thoughtful, and built on care and integrity. I arrived excited but unsure of what to expect; I left feeling grounded, moved, and more certain than ever that I’m on the right path. The way Alexa, Steph, and Matt hold space for actors – no matter where they are in their journey – is something really special.”
— Phil, retreat attendee
The first ‘A New Lens’ retreat went so brilliantly and was so well received that Steph, Matt and I will be running it again March 2026, with an added third day focussing on career, industry insight, goals, and working through the everyday challenges actors face with a focus on confidence building and a process focus.
Watch and instagram live with previous retreat attendee, Heather, HERE.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! click here
THE WHAT…
I first met Matt in 2016 on a job and immediately enjoyed working with him. His respectful and encouraging approach made being on set even more exciting. We stayed in touch, and I was thrilled to have him direct my first short film that I wrote, produced, and acted in: ‘HERS’. Beyond my personal experience, Matt is known for his engaging, supportive working environment. He directed Emmy award nominated family drama ‘A Kind of Spark’, which followed the lives of a group of autistic women and girls. (It’s utterly brilliant!) The programme has been repeatedly celebrated for its authentic casting and truthful depiction of neurodiversity, and Matt made sure to make the filming process as accessible and enjoyable for the actors as possible (documented here in a video for the BYUtv insider!) Needless to say, Matt’s process-focussed approach and genuine love of working with actors made him a perfect fit for collaboration for this retreat and I am incredibly grateful and happy to have him involved.
I connected with Steph via The 98% podcast when she reached out after my discussions about negative drama school experiences. Steph’s training programmes with Both Feet Actor Training put actor wellbeing, safety, and enjoyment first. Using a neurolinguistic approach, she challenges the outdated idea that actors must be “broken down to build back up.” Her mission is clear: to help actors thrive as humans first, performers second. Steph and I share the same philosophy, making this collaboration an obvious choice. I’ve seen firsthand how her training transforms actors - I only wish I had met her earlier and had her work with me during my actor training!
Both Feet Actor Training offers actor retreats that are the only kind of training of its kind IN THE WORLD! So when Steph offered up her studio and living space for this training opportunity, I couldn’t say no. I am so excited to not only work with her, but see you learn from her too. Just check out these incredible reviews about her training, here on Google, and here on Facebook!
TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THESE WONDERFUL PRACTITIONERS CHECK OUT the new episode of The 98% podcast.
You can also hear more from matt who was a guest in SERIES 1 EPISODE 14, AND Steph in SERIES 5 EPISODE 11!
THE HOW…
Our number one reason for holding this retreat is simple: we love what we do and want to share this experience with you at a fair, accessible price. The total cost for this “once in a lifetime experience” is:
£549
Which reflects the value of three full days of immersive training from three experienced industry practitioners, including accommodation, meals, a professional camera operator with equipment, and space rental.
Spaces are limited to ensure individual attention and a collaborative environment.
Only 10 spots available! REGISTER now.
Your retreat fee covers everything you need for a fully immersive, 3-day experience:
Accommodation and meals - stay on-site with food provided and a fully usable kitchen
Studio hire - access to a professional space for all training sessions
Camera operator and gear rental
Training and coaching - guidance from three experienced industry practitioners delivering 3 full days of immersive actor-focused learning
Activities and experiences - including outdoor walks, wild swimming, and process-focused exercises to expand your craft
We want you to focus entirely on the work and experience without worrying about logistics - everything is included so you can fully immerse yourself in the weekend.
This retreat is not first-come, first-served. We handpick attendees to create a supportive, engaged group where everyone can thrive, take creative risks, and get the most out of the experience. Applying gives us the chance to craft the best possible cohort for a transformative weekend.
THE where…
Get ready to breathe in the fresh air, and sit at a campfire under the stars.
Nestled in the hills of North Wales…
Bodlondeb Studio & Retreat, Bodlondeb, Corwen LL21 0NY, United Kingdom
For more information on the accommodation click here
For details on how to get to Bodlondeb click here
Want to hear from others about their retreat experience at Bodlondeb? Click here
