SCOTT WILLIAMS
Scott Williams is London’s leading Meisner technique teacher and Artistic Director of The Impulse Company in the UK.
American-born, Scott is an international director and teacher and the Artistic Director of the UK-based The Impulse Company. Scott trained with Sanford Meisner at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1970s and relocated to London in the mid-1990s following a San Francisco-based career as a teacher, director, and artistic director for Hillbarn Theatre. After his move to London and the founding of The Impulse Company, Scott has continued his multi-dimensional schedule of teaching and directing across the continents for 35 years.
ERICA CHESTNUT
Erica Chestnut is an associate of The Impulse Company, having trained with Scott in London on his full-time course in 2011 and 3 years thereafter. She was then mentored by Scott to teach his approach to the Meisner Technique and is honoured to be flying the Impulse flag in Melbourne.
Graduating from drama school (BAPA) a lifetime ago, Erica is a teacher, actress and choreographer with over 20 years of experience in the Industry, both in Australia and the UK.
Erica is also one of the select few trained to teach the work of Niki Flacks - Acting With Passion.
She believes this work can be transformational and immensely empowering. Erica aims to instill confidence, joy, and passion in every student she works with.
KATE SKINNER
Kate undertook full-time training with Scott at The Impulse Company in London in 2008/09, before returning home to Sydney to establish an Impulse Company base in Australia. She has been teaching the Sydney Drop-in classes since 2012 and is very excited to be welcoming John and Matt into the fold.
Kate’s acting work spans both Australia and the UK where she has collectively worked for such theatre companies as Red Line Productions, Griffin Theatre Company, Stories Like These, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moira Blumenthal Productions, Southwark Playhouse and Giant Olive. She has also appeared in numerous Film and Television projects including Home & Away, The Trophy Thief (Arterial Motives), Kevin Needs to Make New Friends: Because Everybody Hates Him for Some Reason (Scott Walmsley), Harbord Horror and The 1 in 5 Project (Torrid Films).
Kate is passionate about making Australia a regular teaching hub for The Impulse Company and its associates and sharing this incredible training with as many local artists as possible.
Visit Kate on Showcast
MATT MINTO
Matt first trained with Scott Williams in 2005 at the Actors Centre in London. He went on to study the one-year Conservatory Program at The Impulse Company, graduating in 2006. In the intervening years, Matt has trained with Scott countless times. The work never ceases to challenge and inspire him, and has been an integral part of his process as an actor. Matt is excited to pass on his experience and knowledge of this incredible work through the Impulse Company Australia.
SAM SMITH
Sam was introduced to Scott’s work in 2006 and after several short courses completed the 1-year training module in London during 2013.
He has been a part of the Sydney Drop-In classes since 2012 and is now also teaching them.
His credits include Jirga (winner AACTA Best Indie Film and Australia’s submission for the Academy Awards), The Nightingale (winner AACTA Best Film, Special Jury Prize Venice Film Festival) and The Invisible Man.
“I love this work because it allows me to work from a place of authenticity and honesty and keeps me out of my head. This work is a continual journey in letting go and stepping into the unknown and unplanned. Seeing people discover what is possible and the depths of this work is inspiring to be a part of and a pleasure to teach.”