About
Studio13
"I can sincerely say it would be difficult to find a friendlier or more welcoming, hardworking, committed and ego-free group of participants than those at Studio13. I cannot recommend the school more highly."
Prue Gillett, Meisner Acting Coach
What is Studio13 Meisner Actor Training?
We are a professional acting school located in the heart of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. We offer all actors a viable alternative to drama school. Quite simply, we are passionate and committed to all things acting. We are more than just 'another' acting school. We are a growing community of dedicated and skilled actors who strive and work hard every day for the sole purpose of perfecting our craft.
Why should you study with Studio13?
What sets us apart from other actor training companies is our love and respect for the acting technique developed and taught by Sanford Meisner, one of the greatest acting teachers of our our time. All our tutors are trained as actors themselves in The Meisner Techniques and believe passionately that this technique works for any actor, across all genres, if taught in the way Sanford Meisner taught it. In other words, no shortcuts or ‘cherry picking’ of the process, just start at the beginning with the basics and work up from there.
Barbara Bentley
Founder & Lead Acting Coach @ Studio 13
Barbara studied acting at the Rose Bruford School of Speech & Drama and went on to gain a B.ed. in Drama & Education at Newcastle upon Tyne University.
She formed The Open Door Theatre Company and has been an Artistic Director / Director for over 20 years culminating in winning the prestigious Business and Arts Award in 2010 for large scale theatre productions of George Orwell’s ‘1984’.
In 2014, Barbara was invited to study THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE under one of the UK's most experienced Meisner teachers, Prue Gillett. In Barbara's words "this was a life changing event. Prue gave me so much. Her knowledge, not only about the technique, but perhaps more importantly the application of the technique was awe inspiring. I will be forever grateful to her for getting me on the path I am now on."
She founded Studio13 Meisner Acting School in order to continue exploring this work and to train actors in The Meisner Technique. In addition to running Studio13 she is currently studying with Larry Silverberg at the True Acting Institute, New York.