HEY, YOU -- WANT TO JOIN ACTORS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD FOR A TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE RETREAT EXPERIENCE?

Slow down, do less, be more

The Art of Acting Retreat
with Helena Walsh

For actors who wish to bring their acting to the next level in a co-creative trusting environment so that you expand into your greater potential. 

Yes, I need this retreat!

Imagine...

  • How would your acting evolve if you knew how to go deeper? 
  •  How would your practice evolve if you knew how to integrate the here and now into your creative process? 
  •  How would your relationship with the other actor evolve if you became more receptive? 
  •  How would your relationships in your life and art transform if you felt empowered? 
  •  How would your ability to trust evolve if you became curious about integrating your discomfort?

What if you could navigate any circumstance creatively and with deeply empowered presence?

INTRODUCING...

This is a 6-day in person retreat experience led by acting, voice and empowerment coach, Helena Walsh, who has over 30 years experience teaching in the film and theatre industries 

Your acting adventure awaits
June 16-21st 2024

Killary Lodge, Galway, Ireland

YES, I NEED THIS

Here's what to expect:

This unique opportunity brings actors together
to grow, evolve, challenge and transform
in the stunning scenery of Connemara, Galway, Ireland!

  • Killary Lodge is an idyllic setting to gather, explore, reflect & deepen your acting process. We will be surrounded by natural beauty and Helena's acting workshops will focus on moving through the spiral of intensity to complexity to simplicity.
  • We will also deepen our relationship with ourselves through connection to each other and the environment around us. Hiking, optional fresh water swimming, cooking and eating together, singing around a fire at night will offer magical encounters with the natural world which will give us an experience of how life integrates art and art integrates life.
  • The Art of Presence
    Daily, there will be work integrating life and art through our six senses, through our “organic intelligence” from our biology to our environment to the group of actors present, to what matters to us individually and collectively about the world we live in. Discovering your alignment with these forces will anchor your work as an artist , actor in a potent, personal and collective creative intelligence. This will invite you to become open to receive the potential for growth & transformation that is already there for you to work & play with in your life & art.
  • Nervous System Regulation & Integration Work
    The work is inspired by Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Organic Intelligence® and Neurosystemics™ and works from the principles of stability, support, pleasure and play. It is a journey into alignment of imagination body and breath, working with the fight / flight / freeze mechanisms that ignite in the actor’s nervous system when working with creative impulse. We will explore the subtle nuances in our rich vulnerability so that the experience of your character is more embodied and alive.
  • Scene & Character Work
    It is a fusion of the relationship of the physiology and biology with the imaginative circumstances of the story.  The scene work is about being in and experiencing the story, building a belief in story through specific tools given by Helena to give you an ever evolving deepening of your craft. Encouraging an enjoyable risky leap into the unknown, excited by the danger of trusting something bigger than you to move through you. Stepping into your own potency and in so doing a vibrant empowering expression of the moment.

    This retreat is powerful, you're together in a room, it's for a concentrated time. It's an enjoyable, playful, transformative, powerful few days. If this sounds like something that you would really enjoy, then come join us.
  • Places limited!  Don't miss out on your chance to work with one of the most internationally sought after acting, voice and empowerment coaches Helena Walsh

HERE'S WHAT'S INSIDE:

You're going to

love

 these

Delicious Food

Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Typical breakfast: fresh fruit, yogurt, granola & freshly brewed coffee. Vegetarian / vegan lunch and dinners cooked together. 

The Accommodation

We will be staying at Killary Lodge. An idyllic retreat location surrounded by the natural beauty of Connemara's majestic mountains.

Acting workshops & excursions

Acting workshops with Helena, plus sunrise & sunset hike / walk around Connemara into the forest and mountain, morning swim in the fjord &
plenty R & R.
 

ACCESS The Art of Acting
6-Day Retreat Experience
Sign Me Up Now ➡

And just who will be teaching you The Art of Acting Retreat?


Me! I'm Helena Walsh

Voice & Acting Coach | Human Empowerment & Resiliency Organic Intelligence® Consultant.

Helena Walsh is an experienced international voice and acting coach who has been transforming personal and collective lives in the international arts world for over 30 years. She studied voice at the International Roy Harte Centre in the south of France and trained in Fitzmaurice Voicework® at Central in London. Helena was appointed as the European director of the Fitzmaurice Institute and was the co-director of the Freedom and Focus Fitzmaurice Voicework® Conference in 2016 and 2018 in Dublin and London respectively.

Helena's passion for helping actors reach their full potential led her to co-create "The Actor's Practice" with her colleague Benjamin Mathes of Crash Acting LA. This ten-week advanced acting process is inspired by week-long retreats they host in Clonakilty, Ireland, and Pelion, Greece. Through this compassionate and transformative practice, actors are able to take their craft to new heights and achieve personal growth that positively impacts all aspects of their lives.

In recent years, Helena has been focusing on nervous system regulation, as she recognized that performance and personal anxiety were among the biggest challenges faced by actors. She discovered Organic Intelligence® in 2017 and has since become a certified human empowerment and resiliency consultant. Combining her expertise in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Roy Hart, and mentorship from Andrea Ainsworth, Helena takes a holistic approach to the actor's process that helps actors find their authentic selves and embody the text with confidence and pleasure.

With her background in Organic Intelligence® and Neurosystemics™, Helena works one-on-one with actors in the room and with groups to facilitate compassionate, collective change and co-creativity. Her approach helps actors move beyond "what's wrong attention" and into a space of complexity and enjoyment, empowering them to tell their story with authenticity and connect with their scene partners. Helena's expertise and commitment to her craft make her an invaluable asset to any actor looking to take their skills and personal growth to the next level.

"Her work is extraordinary"

"Helena assisted me in opening up doors to my character’s history & helped to unlock elements to their story. Her work is extraordinary and drives you to build a world around your character through narrative and imagination. Her help and support is like no other. Highly recommend working with this master craftswoman.." 


LAURENCE O' FUARAIN
ACTOR

I've been working with Helena since we met in acting school a number of years ago.  She's like a wizard that can see and bring out things in you that you might never thought possible without her.  Helena has genuinely helped me be a better, happier and more balanced actor and human.  Couldn't recommend her and the team enough 

Jason Daly
Actor

Working with Helena was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  It has transformed my approach to acting, and since working with her I've seen huge self-growth - both as an actor and on a personal level.  I'm excited to continue working with Helena and to see where her work and support takes me next.  

Aine Flanagan
Actress

Helena’s teachings and support will guide you through a journey of discovery and exploration of the humanity in not only you as the artist, but also in you as yourself. You’ll feel more empowered and fearless as she brings light into the unknown ahead of your artistry’s journey. I’ve been studying with her for a while and all I can say now is that, reading a script, working on character and telling stories have become so nuanced, so humane and magical. So, I can’t recommend her enough. She’s a badass coach and human being!.

Matheus Tonon
Actor

The most brilliantly adaptive acting training imaginable, one of the greats.

Justin Ensor
Actor

Let's Talk Kerala

The breakdown
 

Killary Lodge

Feel where you belong

The lodge sits on 185 acres of wild rugged Connemara. It has a large outdoor area complete with outdoor seating and two fire pits, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and sea - the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset over Killary Fjord, surrounded by nature.

There is a large covered area which houses the BBQ, with outdoor sofas and armchairs where your group can sit and enjoy the surroundings whatever the weather!

There is private access to an area on the Killary Fjord for swimming (on a stoney beach). There are also plenty of beautiful sandy beaches in the local area.

 

 

The Accommodation

Individually Designed Rooms

Each of the ten spacious en-suite bedrooms are individually designed with bespoke features. Rooms 1 – 4 are on the ground floor. Rooms 5 - 10 are on the first floor. 

All bedrooms are en-suite. Nine of the bathrooms are equipped with rainforest showers; Room 2 has a shower and a bath. 

Price includes accommodation of TWIN ROOM with shared bathroom (shared between 2 people). 

 

The Workshop Space

Spectacular Scenic Views 

Guests enjoy full use of the venue including a large bright studio space, which opens out onto the garden on both sides. 

A stylish lounge opening out onto an extensive outdoor area. The lounge has 3 large couches and lots of comfortable chairs so there is plenty of space for everyone to sit and spend time together. Further seating is available in the adjacent reception room.

If you need a bit of time out, you can curl up with a good book in one of our funky reading nooks located on the first floor, equipped with hanging chairs and beanbags. 

 

The Empowered Self:  personal growth & development

Nervous system regulation 1:1's
using Organic Intelligence® 

During the workshop, Helena will be working with you using Organic Intelligence (OI) which takes a holistic approach to wellness, emphasizing the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Actors can particularly benefit from this approach as they need to be in tune with their emotions and surroundings.

Orientation practice is a crucial aspect of OI that helps individuals become more present and aware of their bodily sensations, especially useful for actors who need to be fully engaged in their surroundings. These sessions help you develop crucial skills, such as adaptability, listening, self-regulation, responsiveness, clarity, social engagement, boundary-setting, well-being, and empowerment.

 

Empowering
The Collective

Group resiliency circles

Neurosystemics Resiliency Circles are a valuable tool for actors as they create a space for collective empowerment. In these circles, individuals are encouraged to support and uplift one another, which strengthens the group as a whole. By building a relational field of acceptance, empathy, trust, and vulnerability, individuals in the circle can find enough trust to share their struggles, hopes, and aspirations. This creates a strong foundation of connection and understanding that can enhance group resiliency.

Giving everyone in the group a voice and the space to speak is a crucial component of Neurosystemics Resiliency Circles. This enables individuals to share their perspectives, experiences, and insights, leading to more open communication and a deeper sense of community. By doing so, it can lead to greater diversity, equality, and inclusion in the performing arts culture, as everyone's voices are equally valued and respected.

 

Creative Flow

Daily voice, acting and embodiment masterclasses 

You meet with Helena daily for voice, body, character integration work and nervous system regulation work. The work is inspired by Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Organic Intelligence® and Neurosystemics™ and works from the principles of stability, support, pleasure and play. It is a journey into alignment of imagination body and breath, working with the fight / flight / freeze mechanisms that ignite in the actor’s nervous system when working with creative impulse. We will explore the subtle nuances in our rich vulnerability so that the experience of your character is more embodied and alive.

 

Outcomes

The actor has worked consistently in practice and process and now recognises their own and another actors' boundaries as an important part of trust, equality and skilled listening.  

Trust, acceptance and empathy have been established as the code of ethics within the way the actors communicate with each other.  

You will feel a great sense of liberation and freedom of expression and innovation and creativity is flourishing and boundless.

The Art of Acting
6-day Retreat

Move away from result and move into process.  

Apply to join

Still Got Questions?

MY LAST PIECE OF ADVICE

In practice, we open space for stories to happen. 

Being in a story requires experiencing it, which is very different to analysing it.  For stories to emerge imbued with complexity, you need to offer your body the initial conditions of fostering trust and pleasure - so then you can risk and discover and surrender to the unknown.  Trusting your embodied imagination reveals the story to you - so you and the audience are constantly surprised.  We practice until it happens.