Meet the Acting team
We work internationally in-person and online
Aileen Gonsalves
London, UK
Principal and creator of the Gonsalves Method
The Gonsalves Method brings authentic connection to the parts of the arts that other methods cannot reach. From Shakespeare to dance, musicals to politics, Aileen Gonsalves brings the art of persuasion to business, making the art of authentic connection possible!
Aileen has been bringing her unique method to the theatre or over two decades working with such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Sir Simon Russell Beale & Vanessa Redgrave, training film stars of the future and transforming both musical theatre and contemporary dance.
Having brought truth, clarity and relatable emotional connection to Shakespeare in her long relationship with the RSC, her latest target is the art of charismatic persuasion and political speaking where she has been instrumental in helping the Green Party of England & Wales in their historic, recent, electoral victories.
Aileen, and her team of accredited teachers, are working internationally in person and online reaching the world of pharmaceuticals, engineering, sales, medicine & marketing; transforming pitching and presentations with the art of persuasion and harnessing the power of individual presence for impactful enhanced communication.
Maya Angelou said ‘people will never forget how you made them feel…’ - what do you need to make someone feel today? Trusting? Inspired? Hopeful?
Contact us to see what Aileen and her team can do for you.
Accredited Trainers
Alex Gray
Edinburgh, UK
Alex is an actor and trainer who merges the worlds of art and digital technology, with a particular emphasis on virtual reality and digital creativity. He works at the intersection of artistic expression and digital innovation.
Caroline Colomei
Hereford, UK
Caroline has worked as an actor and director with Butterfly Theatre for over fifteen years. Having experienced the Gonsalves Method from its early days to now, she takes great joy in teaching it and supporting performers in discovering truthful expression.
Dan Cox
Southampton, UK
Dan is a director, facilitator and actor who currently works at MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton. He specialises in authentic community engagement.
Diarm Scahill
London, UK
Diarm is a highly skilled singing teacher and dedicated voice coach with a passion for authentic expression. He helps actors and singers genuinely connect with their audience, creating powerful and memorable experiences.
Gemma Boaden
London, UK
Gemma Boaden is a voice coach, soft tissue therapist, actor and academic. She specialises in character creation through voice, blending science and imagination for authentic, healthy expression. A certified Estill Master Trainer, she is also trained in laryngeal manipulation and remedial massage.
Kay Crook
Exeter, UK
Kay is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, movement director, and Artistic Director of Chhaya Collective, a female-led contemporary dance company, and Chhaya Youth Dance Company.
Laura Douglas
Northern Ireland, UK
Laura is an actor, director, writer and creative facilitator with a particular interest in performance coaching. She supports actors and directors in creating authentic, connected performances and is deeply passionate about creative wellbeing.
Matt Sparkes
Oxford, UK
Matt is an actor and founder of Improv Discovery, an improv training company. He teaches actors to work with a script in a way that feels spontaneous, alive, and connected. With over 20 years of teaching experience in Asia and the UK, and a decade specialising in improvisation, he integrates the Gonsalves Method into his work with actors and improvisers.
Nathan Hook
Bristol, UK
Nathan is an actor, actor-combatant and stage director. He is the creator of the Gonsalves Cards, a toolkit for training in the method. His work is informed by psychological approaches - He is an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society and advanced hypnotherapist with the General Hypnotherapy Register.
Octavia Gilmore
London, UK
Octavia is a director, actor and improviser with extensive experience in the Gonsalves Method. Trained under Aileen Gonsalves at ArtsEd and a long-time cast member of Butterfly Theatre, she has applied the method professionally for many years. As an accredited director, she now teaches it, helping actors develop truthful performance and genuine connection in improv, theatre and film.
Peter Domankiewicz
London, UK
Peter is a film and television director with acting experience. Knowing both sides of the camera, he trains actors and directors in achieving authentic performances and self-tapes that get noticed.
Ruth Worth
Yorkshire, UK
Ruth is a professionally trained actress and director with experience across theatre, television, and film. She completed an Acting Masters with Aileen Gonsalves and now works as an actor, coach, and facilitator in both corporate and educational settings. Her passion is helping others grow in confidence and connection.
Samuel Koppel
Estonia
Samuel is an actor, theatre-maker, director and teacher. He specialises in contemporary dance and physical theatre.
Sarah April Lamb
London, UK
Sarah is a theatre-maker, movement director and teacher working across theatre, dance, performance art and circus. Her work explores human connection and tenderness in unlikely places.
Sochel Corvidae
Somerset, UK
Sochel worked as an actor and drama teacher before moving into crisis response and international development. She now focuses on mental health awareness, particularly in communication and relationship-building, working with local government and frontline services.
Sophie Kay
Surrey, UK
Sophie trained as a director at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond and now runs her own theatre company, Key Players. She also has extensive experience in TV directing.
Sophie Rickman
Surrey, UK
Sophie is an actor and teacher with over 20 years of experience. One of the original members of Butterfly Theatre Company, she has a strong background in teaching and sharing the Gonsalves Method.
Wictor Koch
Stockholm, Sweden
Wictor is a director, actor, musical theatre performer and voice actor. Originally from Sweden, he uses the Gonsalves Method to coach actors and directors, and recently directed a multilingual A Midsummer Night's Dream in ten languages.