Daylesford will soon be getting its own adult drama classes, run by renowned local theatre company Lab Kelpie.

Led by the company’s artistic director Lyall Brooks, who has been a professional actor, director and teaching artist for nearly 25 years, the evening classes at Stanbridge Hall will begin on Monday 22 April for an eight-week term of fun and accessible group work ideal for beginners and those wanting to refresh past skills, before offering more advanced options as classes grow.

“I’ve worked with community theatre-lovers all across regional Victoria over the last decade, from Gippsland to Shepparton to Glenelg, so it’s wild I haven’t yet done the same in my home town!” Brooks says.

While Brooks will lead the teaching to begin, he has a small stable of other professional artists all skilled in specific acting techniques and forms, ready to share their expertise as the classes develop and grow. The direction the classes take will be responsive to the skills and knowledge the participants want to explore.

Over time, Lab Kelpie would love to see participants tackle a variety of different classes and forms: scene study and text work, monologues, improvisation, Meisner and Russian Masters, devising, and even playwriting.

“Daylesford has such a passionate artistic community,” Brooks said. “We’re crying out for more creative opportunities, so my hope is that we can help fill some small part of that greater need.

To show people what’s in store – and what’s possible – there will be a free open class and information session held on Monday 8 April at 6pm at Stanbridge Hall. All welcome.

If you can’t make it to the information session, visit labkelpie.com/vip and sign up to be notified when classes begin.