Who we are

“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are…”

Bertolt Brecht

Acting Out Productions is an inspirational and pioneering concept in workplace, education and community mental health training.

Using the power of live drama and audience interaction we portray the image and reality of mental illness, its impact on individuals and on those around them.

Acting Out Productions is a company of professional actors, writers, directors, trainers and facilitators. We bring innovation, excellence and passion to imparting learning about something that affects us all – mental health and wellbeing.

In the workplace mental illness costs employers in excess of £30 billion a year in absences and ‘presenteeism’ (where people are at work but not functioning to full capacity).

Young people and students are increasingly suffering emotional problems and mental illness. And in the community, mental ill health is affecting one in four of us at some point in our lives.

To create change people need greater understanding and insight. We offer employers across the sectors a uniquely different perspective on mental health training.

Find out more about our staff by choosing one of the options below:

Artistic
Directors

Coordinator and Producer

Technical stage Managers

Trainers and Facilitators

Artistic Directors

Our Artistic Directors bring a wealth of acting, directing and
writing talent and experience to Acting Out Productions.

Louisa Lawrenson

Louisa is a professional actress to view Louisas acting credits please view her online profile at http://www.spotlight.com/0456-8974-4006

She also writes, directs and produces plays, amongst some of the productions are: Make It Right and Not In My Name at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill and the one person show Miranda in The Tempest at The Drayton Arms, Chelsea.

Louisa has directed Acting Out Productions’ short plays, ‘Flashpoint’ and ‘Breaking Point’.

In addition to acting work, Louisa uses drama as a learning tool, writing and creating programmes, as well as acting in them and facilitating sessions. She has been involved in programmes with clients such as: Police, Social Services, NHS (including Springfield Hospital), BMW, EBC, NPSA, Nestle, RSPCA, Homestart, Surestart, CIAG and The Shaw Trust.

Louisa is passionate about changing perceptions and raising awareness of mental ill health; it is a subject close to her heart.

Jeremy Beckman

Jeremy’s acting career has spanned the last 30 years, appearing across the board in TV, theatre and film.

Over the last 10 years he has been involved in using drama as a training tool, writing programmes, specifically forum theatre scenes and short plays. His clients include NHS, police, social services, The Home Office, The Prison Service, KPMG, Nestle, Shell, British Airways, Transport for London. Five years ago, Jeremy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 44 of which depression sadly, is a key element. As a result he understands more than anyone how stigma and lack of awareness can play a detrimental part to someone’s wellbeing.

Coordinator & Producer

Megan Aspel MBACP (Accred) BSc (Hons) Integrative Psychotherapy

Megan has worked as a writer on Vogue magazine and other leading national publications, run a freelance writing and public relations service working for SMEs, independent radio, fashion and lifestyle companies, and is an accredited, degree qualified psychotherapist. Over the last 14 years she has devoted her time to developing and running Let’s Link, an independent mental wellbeing charity (www.letslinkmentalwellbeing.com ).

Megan’s expertise and experience in mental health spans strategic level decision making working with the NHS/Local Authority to delivering front line community mental health and drug/alcohol services and support. She is also a fully qualified, accredited psychotherapist and trained in Neo-PI personality profiling.

Technical stage managers

Penny Rischmiller

Penny trained at Aberystwyth University and then at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. In Aberystwyth Penny worked for Castaway Community Theatre, and during her time at Mountview worked on shows at the Royal Court (Our Private Life) and the Soho Theatre (Realism). Since graduating, Penny has worked on And In The End (Jermyn Street Theatre), The Art Of Concealment (Riverside Studios), Operation Crucible (Finborough Theatre), for the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School and for Cloud Dance Festival. Penny also works closely with Pentameters Theatre, and worked with Louisa Lawrenson on The Golden Pathway Annual, a production at Leatherhead Theatre, Surrey.

Her theatre credits are extensive and impressive. Penny brings passion, talent and technical acumen to Acting Out Productions.

Kate Dooley

Kate began working as a Stage Manager after gaining a BA Hons in Historical Studies at Leicester University. She now works in both theatre performance and corporate training. Kate has been stage managing events in forum theatre since 2011.

Special thanks go to Marc Bolton

Trainers and facilitators

We draw on a wide range of freelance trainers and facilitators with specialist knowledge and training expertise in health and wellbeing, mental health, employment, business / staff training.

Our training consultant, Jeannie Satchell has worked with DWP, Prince’s Trust, Local Authority, and in Health, Education, Voluntary, Charitable and Private sectors.

Our facilitators include people with direct experience of mental illness. And some among our cast and crew have had experience of mental health issues either through someone close to them or through their own personal life.

All in our team are passionate about Acting Out Productions and how we can educate, challenge stigma, change perceptions and attitudes, empowering people to promote positive mental and emotional wellbeing in the workplace or community.