Testimonials
Kate’s career as a director/coach is indistinguishable from her acting life. I met Kate during my time at Stratford East where she had long been at the forefront of that theatre’s role in breaking barriers, working with young people, and encouraging diversity. She still is. Working with professional actors and students alike, Kate brings her passion for acting to every room. She has an extraordinary ability to guide actors in the analysis of text – giving practical tools which they continue to apply throughout their careers. I have worked alongside her, and have employed actors she has trained. She is a valuable asset in any room – real or virtual.
Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE, Director & Producer, Kyriacos & Company
I worked with Kate for fourteen years whilst running the acting BA at Italia Conti. She was a vital member of the teaching team bringing with her a wealth of experience, and understanding of the acting profession, dating back to Joan Littlewood and Theatre Royal Stratford east. She always encourages her students to work to find the truth, emphasising the importance of transitive verbs to bring out the meaning and power of a text. She is rigorous and demanding but kind and supportive. She has amazing energy and brings an enthusiasm for her craft which is inspiring.
Chris White, Director (Course Director, BA Acting, Italia Conti, 2006-2020)
Not only is Kate a bloody great actor, she has a brilliant eye and her instinct for a scene is spot-on. I often go to her for direction and help with self-tapes and script work. An absolute legend.
Vicky Alcock, actor
Kate was my acting tutor whilst at drama school; her passion for the craft was evident from day one. Kate's experience and expertise really helped me to dig deeper when understanding the text - to always be brave enough to act from a place of truth and to cherish the value of acting training. Kate's legacy as an actress and tutor has paved the way for so many of us - long may it continue.
Yasmin Keita, Actor
Ask me about 'Kate Williams'... two words come to mind 'TOUGH LEGEND'! I first met Kate whilst at drama school, and remember liking her immediately. Oh, don't get me wrong she's hard as nails and takes no crap, but boy-oh-boy does she know her stuff! Working with Kate really changed the level of my work. Ten-plus years on, and I am still using those skills on stage / tv jobs. The first play we worked on was Maxim Gorky’s 'The Philistines' and as a boy from east London, I didn't have a clue about Russian work. By simply adopting Kate’s methods I came to a full understanding of the play and the world of the play. Kate's way of working resonated with me so much…especially the “verbing”. She enables you to fully understand the play and the script using words and emotions that you understand in your own language. Then when you come to learning the actual script you find you know it already! Kate taught me how to pick up any script and dissect it. And she taught me not to be afraid of anything. Kate makes you work hard to ensure that you go to the next level. For this, and many more reasons, I will always recommend getting in a room with her - she really will add to your arsenal.
Tyler Fayose, Actor
It is rare to be able to say and mean this, but what Kate Williams does not know about Acting is not worth knowing. Kate has worked as an actor with some of the very best across all media over a near fifty-year career. She has always not only stayed fully up to date with current practices and developments but has also been a driver for positive change – not least at the pioneering Theatre Royal, Stratford East.
On top of her incredible professional career, Kate has taught Acting at some of the best Acting Schools in the country. She has taught some of the best actors working today. I first worked with Kate in the late 1990s and I began to learn my trade as a teacher in large part from observing her work. She sees everything. She is rigorous. She will make anyone a better actor than they were before they met her. Even today, if I needed honest and clear help with a piece of Acting work, Kate would be the first person I would turn to.
Dr. Trevor Rawlins, Course Leader, BA Acting & Performance, Wimbledon College of Art, UAL.
Kate’s forensic care with both the script and the actor means that my clients, irrespective of age, can only benefit from her remarkable talent. I always turn to Kate first.
Malcolm Browning, Talent Agent, MMB Creative
Kate was invaluable in teaching me the actors’ process and I would be lost without her. She made everything seem simple and make sense. I literally couldn’t recommend anyone more highly.
Ed Brody, Actor
I have known Kate Williams for well over a decade. Having been trained as an actor by Kate (across my three-years of training), I know Kate equips actors with the capacity to ask the right questions when working on a piece of text, and provides a “toolkit” that ensures the work is always rooted in truth, avoids generalisation, is interesting & fulfilling to play and has an emotional reality based on the text. Kate goes direct to the heart of the work, helps remove barriers & blocks and allows the actor to home in on the necessary and important, making substantive choices, & delivering a fully rounded, interesting human being that says to the Casting Director, Producer, Director: ‘This role belongs to me, and this is why’.
I am proud to represent several actors who have benefited from Kate’s teaching & wisdom, who continue to put into practice all that she taught them, and who continue to book work because of that teaching. I would recommend her every single time.
James Foster, Managing Director, James Foster Ltd
Kate was a godsend when training. Her approach to objectives and “verbing” was incredibly detailed, rigorous and something I use in my professional practise to this day. She is encouraging, nurturing and holds you to a high standard which keeps you striving to improve and delve deeper into your process. Kate is a huge inspiration to me, with her no-nonsense attitude teamed with her calm wisdom and handling of the craft. I couldn’t recommend her enough.
Louise McMenemy, Actor/Tutor
Kate's lessons are clear and concise with an excellent balance of acting technique and real-life application. A brilliant teacher and an even better mentor.
Tom Ainsley, Actor
Being taught how to act for screen by Kate was a formative moment for me during my training. Her method of teaching is precise and specific to the individual actor. Getting the best performance out of you is her priority. I never hesitate to recommend her to my clients for coaching or self-tape preparation.
Jamie Rowlands, Talent Agent, Stanton Davidson Associates
I knew of Kate before I went to East 15. So I was delighted she was to be my tutor when I got there. Her straight forward approach to the craft was refreshing and enlightening. It has been of career-long use. A lot is owed to Kate in the creation of the actor I am.
Russell Richardson, Actor
In my 25 years as Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kate Williams, in several capacities, was at the core of that theatre’s achievements. She acted in at least twenty productions in a huge range of roles. Kate produced and directed most of the acclaimed monthly Variety Nights and was equally good at encouraging well-known actors to appear in sketches of the kind they’d never tackled before, or giving young newcomers the assurance to hold their own when appearing opposite such luminaries with very little rehearsal. She is a joy to work with.
Philip Hedley, Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East 1979 -2004
I attended E15 Drama school on an acting course from 1977-80. It was a drama school I wanted to be part of. It’s method of teaching and training was ground-breaking and it was where I wanted to be. I met my now wife, Kathy Jamieson, at E15. She was the year below me, and is a wonderful actress and an outstanding singer. We had a high standard as far as the tutors were concerned. One in particular stood out, Kate Williams. I first met Kate in my second year and recognised her from the television (she was a household name) but could she teach? I found her to be a great tutor, she is analytical and brings out the truth in characters. She really knows her stuff and could pass on the skills she uses being a wonderful actress herself. Kathy loved working with Kate and was able to improve her talent from Kate’s classes. We have both gone on to be successful actors in the business and continue to work in Theatre, TV, Film, radio. My niece Jessica was taught by Kate at the Italia Conti school of acting so the next generation have benefitted from Kate’s skills.
John McArdle & Kathy Jamieson, Actors
Working with Kate is nothing but a joy. During my time at drama school she really helped me with ‘finding the truth’ and ‘keeping it simple’. I think that is one of Kate’s best attributes and it comes from her years of experience as an actor and director. She has had an amazing career. When you come to start work on a text, she really is a master at asking “What do we need to do here? What does this actor/character want to do here? What do they want?” She’s a real truth finder, stripping it back and not complicating things. I have taken what she taught me and I use it now. It’s always helped me. One of my favourite take-away’s from Kate’s class was “it if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck…it’s a duck. Keep it simple!”
Ryan Hutton, Actor
If you ever need a mentor, in order to find your inner truth and really get to grips with a character, I strongly suggest you seek the advice and guidance of the very accomplished Miss Kate Williams. An extremely talented actress and director, and a marvellous tutor. I owe her a lot for helping me through my now 37 years as a professional actress. Many thanks, Kate my darling, for all your help and support …you are a joy to work with!
Nicola Duffett, Actor
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