Hold any audience in the palm of your hand

Gonsalves Method

Performance training for Actors & Directors

Derived from Meisner technique , the Gonsalves Method is a fun, rapid, super effective way to equip actors with the tools they need to deliver authentic, connected performances that are alive night after night. Put simply, the Gonsalves Method enables one to “hold any audience in the palm of your hand.”

Gonsalves Method practitioners coach individual ....actors & performers, directors, and educators worldwide, both in person and virtually, and the Gonsalves Method is gaining recognition as the gold standard for actor training modules at numerous UK universities and drama schools.

The GM is a transformatve process - once practitioners have “had their eyes opened” and experienced really truthful performance they can never go back.

The Gonsalves Method was developed by actor & director Aileen Gonsalves throughout her 2+ decades working with artists including Dame Judi Dench & Sir Simon Russell Beale at the RSC, National theatre & Young Vic, as artistic director for Butterfly Theatre company and through her teaching at numerous UK drama schools & universities including RADA & Arts Ed. Her discoveries are now published in "Shakespeare & Meisner" and her soon to be published new book "The Gonsalves Method - Meisner Updated for the Modern Actor (Bloomsbury)

"Your impact isn’t only in words & actions, but in how you make others feel.”

Aileen Gonsalves

"Aileen Gonsalves' approach is pioneering, exhilarating and inspiring. To experience Aileen's method is to be given tools for life. It's no exaggeration to say that she us one of the foremost performing arts innovators of our age."

Dr Chris Laoutaris lecturer at the Shakespeare Institute and author

See what some of our past students and their tutors have to say…

  • Aileen's online courses are a revelation. It's surprising, but the platform works remarkably well. Her Gonsalves Method is clear and laser sharp. My work has improved immensely since learning her method - I cannot recommend her highly enough.

    Silas Carson | Phantom Menace, Waterloo Rd, Gold

  • Working with Aileen was a breath of fresh air. She is incredibly committed and passionate in her approach. Her Gonsalves Method is so effective.

    Bryony Hannah | Call the Midwife, Firebrand

  • Aileen is a treasure to our industry. Her passion to help people discover their potential is unrivalled. My time working with her has been fundamental to my career and in life.

    Zates Atour | The Witcher, Lord of the Rings, Young Wallander

  • Loved working with Aileen! It was refreshing, playful and felt more like working on an acting exercise rather than an audition tape!

    Pippa Nixon | Unforgotten, RSC As You Like It, King John

  • The Gonsalves Method allows me to quickly analyse and work out the blueprint of a scene to effectively deliver on a job. It's especially handy on tough shooting schedules, when there is no rehearsal time.

    Rameet Rauli | Ride, Find Me in Paris, Little English

  • Aileen is not only an acting coach, but a life coach too! She cares about you and your craft as an actor, equally. The Gonsalves Method makes you a more mindful person which has tremendous benefits for the actor. As an actor she gives you a simple, straightforward and effective methodology to follow so that you can be match ready for your auditions, rehearsals and performance.

    Seyan Sarvan | It’s a Sin, The Baby, Things We Never Said

  • Aileen’s classes are truly fantastic they really open up your mind to the simplistic yet very effective technique that Aileen has created. I would recommend a class of hers to anyone!

    Tayler Marshall | Casualty, Hollyoaks, Doctors

  • Aileen is a wonderful director and coach and, if you're lucky enough to work with her, will also become one of your greatest cheerleaders. This technique always keeps me on the edge of my seat… the work is consistently so truthful and alive.

    Lily Catalifo | The Waterhouse, Love Without Walls, Extraordinary

  • In discovering the truth, Aileen takes a remarkable approach. Her approach instills the idea that each individual is unique and provides the tools to achieve greatness within ourselves. Her guidance throughout my career has been invaluable to me.

    Stuart Vincent | EastEnders, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Kite Runner

courses

Explore some of our courses