Identity School of Acting
Spring 2025
At IDSA I'm currently directing a devised production with students at an Advanced stage in their development. The piece, entitled Turned Off, looks at the way the 'self help' industry is exploiting people in difficult and challenging life situations.
I am also directing one of our In House Presentations, which serves to assess whether Fresher students are ready to join the Foundation course.
At IDSA I am currently teaching:
- Introduction to Screen Acting
- Introduction to Improvisation
- The Fundamentals of Acting
'In the time Stuart has worked at Identity he has demonstrated his skill and experience as a teacher of acting techniques and his talent, as an experienced and innovative director. His approach demonstrates a keen awareness of the need to be fully inclusive. Stuart shares a passion with Identity, to develop a more diverse and representative industry with regards theatre, film and TV.'
Sam Miller former Head of Acting
All Fall Away With Pursued by a Bear at Theatre503
In 2004 in collaboration with Theatre 503 and Tanya Franks Company Stock-pot Productions we produced Said Sayrafiezadeh extraordinarily poetic script to critical acclaim. Working with acclaimed cellist Simon McCorry, South Korean puppeteer Seong Kyun Yoo and visual artist Andy Burgess this powerful and ambitious piece extended its run and filled out London’s most vibrant fringe venue. Lyn Gardner gave us a fantastic four star review in The Guardian.
Play TrailerRising with Cardboard Citizens
Produced by Cardboard Citizens, funded by the Linbury Trust, a Forum Theatre production written by Femi Keeling.
Toured to 14 hostels including One Housing's Arlington House, 3 prisons including Thameside and Wormwood Scrubs, 2 youth centres including the New Horizon Youth Centre and City Hall.
At City Hall, seen here as an original live feed from the main chamber, we were joined by an invited audience who took part in a panel discussion that included the Deputy Mayor, James Murray, representatives from organisations such NACRO, St Mungo's and the Trussell Trust.
Forum Theatre is a specific type of theatre event. The form, originally designed by Augusto Boal and developed by Cardboard Citizens, asks the audience to watch the central character and imagine what else they could do to avoid the possibility of becoming homeless.
FreeFall written Anna Reynolds and co produced with Unit Twenty Three
Freefall written by Anna Reynolds, produced in collaboration with Unit Twenty Three, a Norfolk based social enterprise.
Funded by Arts Council England Lottery funds. Toured to schools throughout the East of England; including five schools in Hertfordshire funded by the Welwyn Hatfield Youth Council in partnership with Young Carers in Herts. Also toured to Hertford Theatre, The Place in Bedford, March Town Hall in the Fens and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.
Fusing movement and words, choreographed by Helen Parlor, with a moving and atmospheric sound track from Simon McCorry, Freefall was artistically ambitious and emotionally engaging. Kirsty Jackson played Jas, and was extraordinary in this one woman piece telling the story of Jas, a Vlogger and young adult carer aged 16, reflecting on her life.
The project aimed to find 'hidden' young carers. Theatre can be an effective medium with the ability to affect and move in a way that other approaches may not. Freefall is determined to celebrate the heroism of these extraordinary young people, a secret army that the State chooses to ignore.
Play TrailerHidden in partnership with Forest Forge Theatre Company supported by the Farnham Maltings
Produced by Forest Forge Theatre Company, Hidden, an adaptation by Vickie Donoghue of Miriam Halahmy's award winning novel. Toured to 15 secondary schools including Fortismere, 'Wowsers! What a fabulous morning we had! The teachers who came (which included our head teacher) were absolutely delighted with the involvement of our kids and this is all down to a) extraordinary acting b) a brilliant script and c) an excellent book (and all the bits in between).'
Three venues including the Portsmouth Guild Hall as part of the Journeys Festival. Hidden also toured to the Alyth Synagogue as part of a local peace initiative.
Set on Hayling Island, this intense drama, set over 24 hours in the life of white British schoolgirl Alix and her classmate Iraqi refugee Samir, the play tells the story of their dilemma when faced with the prospect of saving the illegally trafficked asylum seeker, Mohammed on Hayling Island.
Toured to young audiences in the autumn of 2018 for year groups 6 to 9.
'Dear Miss. What a wonderful play! The acting was fabulous, storyline brilliant and it was very eye opening. I loved it.' Year 7 pupil at Fortismere School, London
Produced in collaboration with Forest Forge Theatre Company. Funded by Arts Council England and House Theatre.
Play TrailerTiny Treasures with Theatre Hullabaloo
Tiny Treasures was produced by Theatre Hullabaloo and the Young Carers Revolution of York and toured to primary schools in the north east of England. Under the revised title 'Hidden', It was recently adjudged to be one of the top 50 plays for young audiences.
With Theatre Is… Master Juba
Produced in collaboration with Greenwich and Lewisham Young Peoples Theatre, Master Juba toured to theatres in London and the greater south east. Written by Dr Michael McMillan it told the story of William Henry Lane, a historical character that Michael had found in the process of his research with regards the history of slavery.
William Henry Lane Aka Master Juba is seen as the originator of Tap Dance. As a freed slave living in New York, he was influenced by West African dance and Irish dance. We combined the dance with animation created by students from the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire with spoken work, creating a visceral, political and challenging piece for young audiences.
Play Trailer