Learn professional acting techniques to become a calmer, clearer, more confident communicator in six practical Saturday morning sessions.

6-WEEK SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE PROGRAMME

Dates: Saturday mornings starting 29th August 2026 (10am - 1pm)

Speaking with Confidence: A 6-Week Course

Whether your voice shakes during presentations, you lose your train of thought in meetings, or you simply wish you felt more relaxed speaking in front of others, this course can help.

Over six in-depth weekly sessions, you'll explore tried-and-tested techniques from the world of acting to help you speak with greater clarity, presence and purpose.

This is not a lecture series! Every session is highly practical, with guided exercises, discussion and opportunities to put the techniques into practice straight away.

The small-group* format gives you the chance to practise speaking every week in a supportive environment, helping you build confidence through real experience rather than theory alone.

* maximum 10 participants

Because each session builds on the last, regular practice and dedicated homework assignments are expected to be completed between classes to help the skills become lasting habits.

Speak with a stronger clearer voice: using vocal techniques including warm-ups, breath support, articulation, pitch and pace

Look and feel more confident: using posture and presence to feel more grounded and assured

Relax and be more focused: moving from internal nerves to external connection

Tell your story with clarity: shaping content clearly and delivering it with intention

Think on your feet when things don't go to plan: improvisation and handling the unexpected

Develop performance tools: using techniques like Actions and Objectives to land your message

Who is it for? This course is for anyone who feels nervous, self-conscious or stuck when speaking, and wants to change that. It's ideal for those preparing for presentations, interviews, pitches or public speaking, as well as anyone looking to sound more confident in meetings, on camera or in a new role. Complete beginners are welcome, as are those who have had previous coaching and want to build on it in a supportive group. It’s also for anyone who simply wants to express themselves more freely and be heard. (Age 16+)

Many participants have used professional development budgets or employer training funds to attend this course. Please check with your employer if this is available to you.

Still have questions? We are happy to offer you a free, no obligation, 15-min discovery call to explore whether the course is right for you. Click the Contact button at the bottom of this page and send us a message to get the ball rolling.

The Acting Lab - Learn to Act, Speak and Live with Confidence!

The Acting Lab has been running acting courses and Speaking with Confidence coaching in Dundee since 2015. We combine professional techniques from British theatre and American film acting training to help people communicate with greater confidence, authenticity and presence.

Tutor: Elaine Newton is an experienced actor, public speaking coach, acting coach, director and teacher. A graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), she trained in film acting in Los Angeles and at the Bilingual Acting School in Paris, specialising in American approaches to naturalistic performance.

She has continued her professional development with leading practioners in acting, voice and performance across the UK and Europe, and has trained in improvisation with Second City, Free Association (London) and The Improfessionals (Paris). She has also undertaken further communication training with Vinh Giang.

After teaching acting, voice and movement in Paris and Strasbourg, Elaine returned to her hometown of Dundee, where she founded The Acting Lab ten years ago. Since then, she has helped actors, professionals and everyday communicators develop greater confidence through practical, experience-based training.

Drawing on her international experience in acting, voice and communication, Elaine combines professional performance techniques with a supportive, practical teaching style that helps students become more confident, expressive and authentic speakers.

Testimonials for The Acting Lab's Speaking with Confidence Programme (via Google)

★★★★★ "The group environment was friendly and encouraging, which made it easy to practise and learn from others. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to become a more confident and natural speaker." A.S.

★★★★★ "I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone experience Elaine's Speaking with Confidence group course... We learned practical, universal techniques for relaxation, focus, voice, and effective communication... I'm walking away feeling genuinely more confident." W.B.

★★★★★ "I know how to perform, and how to use my voice and my tone, body language and my eye contact to actually create a performance and not just a presentation or speech." S.H

Description supplied by the event organiser.