Public event

Join us for a repeat online session of one of our first Coffeelogues: What acting can teach us about truth – therapeutic life lessons learnt in the rehearsal room, with Darren Cheek.

We are excited to welcome back psychotherapist and actor–writer–director Darren Cheek to explore the influences of theatre performance and theory on therapy.

Darren will introduce and discuss various performance techniques, insights, exercises and theory from his interactions in the rehearsal room, and the ways in which these experiences have directly impacted on, and continue to implicitly/explicitly inform, his therapeutic practice and theoretical approach.

New Date: Sunday 16 May 2021

Time: 10.30am to 12pm midday

Venue: Online, using Zoom video conferencing

About the topic

“I love acting. It is so much more real than life” – Oscar Wilde

Truth lies at the heart of healthy human living – but also at the heart of great acting practice. In this workshop, Darren Cheek offers us the chance to explore the interplay between those 2 arenas, and so appreciate both more fully.

Darren has been a professional actor, writer and director for over 20 years – and for 14 of those years he’s also been a practising psychotherapist.

He continues to be enthralled, inspired and fascinated by just how closely therapeutic theories of ‘healthy, authentic, actualised’ living coexist with performance theories and practices of ‘great, real, true‘ acting.

During the workshop, Darren will share some of his key learnings from these 2 very enmeshed worlds and then lead you into exploration through a mixture of experiential exercises, discussion and creative activity,

Topics will include:

  • living in the moment
  • self-awareness
  • working with anxieties
  • breath and body
  • curious creativity
  • losing the ‘nonsense’
  • honest emotional communication
  • emotional somatic messaging
  • great acting, great living

You’ll come away from this full and energised session with practical ideas, useful tools and extensive resources to take directly into your professional and personal lives.

“The first step to better, is to give up character and use yourself” – Michael Shurtleff

About Darren Cheek

Darren regularly works as an actor, writer and director, as well as an actor–roleplayer, communication trainer and facilitator. He has been actively involved in the writing and development of many new plays since 1997 – as a director, actor, teacher, writer and dramaturg.

With a passionate interest in both classical and contemporary text, Darren specialises in directing new writing for theatre production and to date he has directed over 40 productions, often developing the play with the playwright through dramaturgy, workshops, and rehearsed readings. He is artistic director of Damn Cheek Productions.

Darren also works internationally as an integrative humanistic psychotherapist and counsellor – with adults, children, young people and families. As well as maintaining a busy private practice, Darren works regularly alongside businesses and schools, and has been a tutor/trainer within the NHS for over 20 years.

A core/guest tutor, presenter and trainer, on various courses throughout the UK, Darren also continues to be invited regularly to present and lecture abroad.

About the Coffeelogue

The Coffeelogue is a space where we get together to learn and socialise, meet some new colleagues and find out what others are up to – as well as digest new ideas.

The term ‘Coffeelogue’ was coined by Doron and Darren, to depict both causal and deep space that can occur in short and informal settings.

We hope to learn together and from each other in the form of a casual learning community in a friendly atmosphere.

The added bonus is that we structure it as a CPD event so you’ll be able to count it as CPD hours (a CPD certificate will be provided as well).

Booking information

Places cost:

  • £15 for Relational Spaces members
  • £25 for non-members

To confirm your booking please email us at therapyroomsuk@gmail.com and we will reply with details of how to pay.

Please use your name + CL9 as reference.

Joining the event

Once you’ve booked your place, we’ll send you a private Zoom invitation.

You will not need to download anything to attend, or be technically savvy. You just need to follow the link (which will open in your web browser).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

All at Relational Spaces.

Photo: Doron Levene