Dramaworkshop is founded and run by Esther Stanford, a mother of two and an actress with over 20 years of experience who learnt her craft at the renowned ITV/Central/Carlton Junior Television Workshop.

Her acting credits include Eastenders, Heartbeat, The Bill, Doctors, performances at The Swan Theatre Stratford, The Edinburgh Festival and the lead in a Birmingham Film Festival winning short film. Over the summer she has been in Kent filming “The Happy Wanderer” a short film for actress, writer and award winning director Alex Kelly (Vera Drake/Psychoville/Tamara Drewe).

Esther also works with First Act Workshops (run by friend and fellow actor/writer/director/musician Ross Simpson) as a director. Her work with First Act has included writing and recording 2 radio plays and directing outdoor theatre performances.

 

Esther and Ross have completed their first short film "Bottle" in conjunction with ISIS Media which is currently being entered for film festivals. In February they filmed a 60 second short called “The Present’ which won the Bridport Film Festival (watch it on the home page). They have just completed a trailer for a new comedy series “FABA” and are in pre production for their next short film which begins filming in the Autumn. All young roles will be cast from workshop members.

Having worked in theatre, television, radio and film Esther now feels a need to give back some of the wonderful experiences that she had during her workshop days and help children with a passion and interest in drama to achieve their potential and have fun!