Gail Sixsmith
Expressive Body
Physical Theatre
Artist
Actress
Performer
Director
Movement Director
Coach
An Artistic Journey
Expression, Body, Performance
Gail Sixsmith is a captivating performer who has won the hearts of audiences around the globe. After studying performance art, Gail has worked tirelessly to develop a unique style and technique which places the body centre stage and which draws on her visual arts heritage. Her wide ranging experience spans 30 years in the performing arts in a variety of artistic capacities. If you’d like to learn more about Gail's inspiration, style & work, get in touch.
"This performer only knows how to give one hundred percent in either rehearsal or performance: she dares any cast not to match her fierce commitment...
A slight bundle of energy, she dominates the stage with her extreme physicality and glinting eyes"
Paul Stebbings (Artistic Director of TNT)
“Creativity takes courage”
Henri Matisse
Projects
Dark Matter
a story of Lady Macbeth
FILM - a twisted gothic visual poem featuring an original score by jazz composer Paul Flush
In shakespeare's infamous sleepwalking scene lady Macbeth wanders, disturbed in a surreal semi conscious state reliving fragments of her experience.
Dark Matter explores the inner landscape of this great villainess and her dark and tragic story. This vivid visual piece seeks to reveal the mayhem and intensity of an obsessive nature, where deep desires manifest as demonic forces drawing the lady on to her inevitable disintegration.
Get in touch for details.
Credentials
Specialist Training
Throughout her long career, Gail Sixsmith has continued her passionate quest to explore and develop skills that reveal a deeper understanding of the creative potential of the body. Her professional work includes a wide range of artistic disciplines; Theatre (including site-specific and Immersive), multi-disciplinary performance, Dance Theatre, Movement, Dance, Film, Radio, Screenwriting and Visual Arts. She has trained in: Butoh, Motion Capture, Creature Creation, Alba Emoting (Level 1 acreditation), Rasa Boxes, Physical Improvisation, Physical Theatre, Grotowski, Lecoq, Suzuki Method, Laban, Yoga, 5 Rhythms, Body Weather, Capoeira, Feldenkrais, 4 Elements DMTM, Skinner Release, Body Mind Centering and many more. She holds an MA in Screenwriting, a BA in Expressive Arts (Visual Arts, Directing & Performance).
Coaching & Teaching
Gail Sixsmith has been a professional performer in the industry since the late 80's, and has amassed a diverse range of skills and techniques in the process. She is committed to facilitating physical freedom and articulate creative expression. She has trained 1000's of performing arts students, has written Movement curriculums for conservatoires and universities and continues to lecture and coach young performers in a variety of settings. Major credits include; Head of Movement, Movement Lecturer (LCM / University of West London, ArtsEd, Central) and leading workshops and coaching at the RSC, BBC in China and the Middle East. She currently leads the Movement Training at the new dynamic Collective Acting Studio. Gail is renown for getting the very best out of her students; unlocking in them creative bravery, confidence and sensitivity. Gail specialises in Expressive Body, Embodied Communication and Transformation.
Creative Collaborations
As a professional performer, Gail Sixsmith has garnered many years of experience. Brainstorming creative, new ideas with collaborators and clients, Gail has forged a reputation for creating distinctive arresting visceral performance. Her experience spans work with; large-scale companies (RSC, Manchester Royal Exchange, Coventry Belgrade, Young Vic, BBC), experimental cutting edge new writers and performance makers and global touring ensemble TNT. Her professional career began with the creation of theatre ensemble Might & Main Productions. Might & Main's unique brand of Physical Performance in the Poor tradition attracted a cult following in the early 90's and successfully secured Arts Council and London Arts Board funding. Might & Main was part of a seminal thriving arts scene in London championing work that was multidisciplinary and collaboratively authored. Accredited with "Raw, dangerous energy" by the Guardian and "Extraordinary powers of Mime", Might & Main toured their devised productions in the UK and Poland.
CREDITS
August - October 2022
A highly visual and physical devised production, premiered at Jackson Lane. (COLLABORATOR and PERFORMER)
Holm DANCE THEATRE (Temper Theatre)
Violet SHORT FILM (Dirty South Films)
February 2022
Independent Film, Directed by David Hayes (ACTOR playing Violet) Best Actress Award (LIFF)
Wolf of Wall Street IMMERSIVE THEATRE (Hartshorn Hook Productions)
August 2019 - January 2020
A high energy Immersive site specific production. (COLLABORATOR and PERFORMER playing Mad Max, Forger, Broker)
Alpha Who? THEATRE (Matt Franco Collective)
April 2018 - August 2019
Creative collaboration with Matt Franco. A dynamic, intensively visual and physical one man show developed in Berlin and premiered at the Cockpit, London. (DIRECTOR & DRAMATURG)
The Neath, The Wild Hunt IMMERSIVE THEATRE (Dir. Deirdre McLaughlin / The Vaults)
February 2017
Award winning ritualised immersive production. (MOVEMENT DIRECTOR)
The Space - Theatre of Survival FILM (Dir. Mark Street / Dan Poole)
April 2017 - Released April 2019
A documentary film about The Space in South Africa; a ground breaking safe space in 1972 championing all freedoms; artistic, social and political. (MOVEMENT CONSULTANT and PERFORMER playing Clytemnestra)
Wolfblood Series 4 & 5 TV (BBC)
2015 - 2016
Wolf Trainer for lead characters and Wild Wolfblood Pack. (MOVEMENT CONSULTANT / WOLF TRAINER and PERFORMER playing Wild Warrior Wolf)
The Tempest SITE SPECIFIC THEATRE (Butterfly Theatre Company)
July - August 2015
Specially adapted for an art installation in Leigh Woods, Bristol. (MOVEMENT DIRECTOR and PERFORMER playing Ariel)
Dark Clowns SHORT FILM (Dir. Wayne Yip)
June 2015
A surreal black comedy commissioned for ArtsEd undergraduates (SCREEN WRITER)
Peter Pan THEATRE (German Tour / Art Promotion)
Jan - March 2015
Collaboration with Composer Paul Flush. New version by Paul Stebbings. (DIRECTOR & DRAMATURG)
Foretold FEATURE FILM SCRIPT (Awarded 'Best Screenplay' London Greek Film Festival)
November 2014
An epic psychological thriller, Foretold is Gail's first Feature Screenplay (SCREEN WRITER)
Dark Matter ART HOUSE FILM (Creator. Gail Sixsmith)
2012 - 13
A twisted dark visual poem, Dark Matter - a story of Lady Macbeth is a labour of love and a very personal response to this flawed and powerful heroine. Original score by international Jazz composer: Paul Flush (PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, PERFORMER)
To watch the full version visit: www.vimeo.com/gailsixsmith/darkmatter
Password: Sixmacbeth1963
Money or Your Soul TV DOCUMENTARY PILOT (Dir. Kerry Ribchester)
May 2013
Cuban stories. (NARRATOR)
Macbeth THEATRE (TNT / European Tour)
March 2013
Revival Production (PERFORMER playing Lady Macbeth, Son of Macduff, Witch)
MA Screenwriting
Jan 2011 - June 2012
Writing original screenplays, short format, feature and TV pilot. (SCREEN WRITER)
Casting Consultant for TNT Theatre
December 2010
Assisting Paul Stebbings with casting for 2011 season on International Touring (CASTING ASSISTANT)
Macbeth THEATRE (TNT Tour / Israel, Turkey)
October - November 2010
Revival Production. (PERFORMER playing Lady Macbeth, Son of Macduff, Witch)
Macbeth THEATRE (TNT Tour / China, Thailand, Singapore, Australia)
February - May 2010
Revival Production. (WORKSHOP LEADER & PERFORMER playing Lady Macbeth, Son of Macduff, Witch)
Mistero Buffo THEATRE (Courtyard Theatre / Think Tank)
July - August 2009
Dario Fo's Madcap Production (CO-CREATOR & PERFORMER playing Mad Woman, Death and Virgin Mary)
Good Morning Lenin DOCUMENTARY (Dir. Konrad Szolasjski / ZK Studio, Poland)
August 2008
Featuring as myself
Crusty Pie LIVE RADIO (Resonance fm / Holy Mountain)
September 2007
PERFORMER playing Belle
Macbeth THEATRE (TNT Tour / Asia and Central Americas)
August - September 2007
Revival Production
The Crazy Locomotive LIVE RADIO (Resonance fm / Holy Mountain)
September 2006
PERFORMER playing Julia
Romeo & Juliet THEATRE (TNT's Tour of Malta and Asia)
January - March 2005
PERFORMER playing Nurse
Rumplestiltskin THEATRE (Coventry Belgrade)
February - April 2004
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR & PERFORMER playing Goblin Queen
Earlier Credits include work with:
1989 - 2004
Noho Theatre Co (Akira Matsui, Japan) / Royal Shakespeare Company (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe & The Winter's Tale) / Manchester Royal Exchange (Animal Crackers) / Young Vic (Primitive Science & Louder Than Words) / TNT (Lord of the Flies, World Tour) / High Time Productions (The Changeling, Feature Film) / Purcell Rooms (Epilum, Dance Theatre and Might & Main (5 Productions including Man of Straw, Sin and Touched - extraordinary Tales of Madness)
Movement Tutor / Lecturer (Collective Acting Studio)
October 2022 - Current
Lecturer in Movement and Theatre Making (LCM, University of West London)
September 2019 - June 2020
Levels 4 & 5 BA Acting (COACH & TUTOR)
Decoding Leadership for a Changing World (BC4 Leaders / Virtual Summit)
June 2020
Collaborative Virtual Summit covering crucial issues for Business Leaders. Title presentation: Why the Body Matters. (CO-HOST & PRESENTER)
Head of Movement (ArtsEd)
September 2017 - June 2019
Leading Physical Practice and Movement with BA MT, BA Acting and MA Acting. Auditioning. Show support. Directing. Head of Department. Head of second Year. (COACH & TUTOR)
Physical Practice, Movement Tutor & Project Director (ArtsEd)
September 2011 - July 2017
Rewrite new Physical Practice Curriculum for BA & MA Acting courses. Continue teaching BA Musical Theatre. (COACH & TUTOR)
Lecturer in Movement (LCM, University of West London)
September 2016 - June 2017
Levels 4 & 5 BA Acting students (COACH & TUTOR)
Wolfblood Series 4 & 5 TV (BBC)
2015 - 2016
Wolf Trainer for lead characters and Wild Wolfblood Pack. (MOVEMENT CONSULTANT / WOLF TRAINER)
Movement Tutor (Met Film School)
April - July 2014
Movement for Screen (COACH & TUTOR)
Workshop Leader (Hand in Hand Theatre, Liverpool)
July 2014
2 days of workshops (ACTING & MOVEMENT COACH)
Hamlet THEATRE (Dir. Nick Humphrey, Butterfly / Germany)
October 2014
MOVEMENT CONSULTANT
Macbeth THEATRE (TNT Tour / China, Thailand, Singapore, Australia)
February - May 2010
Revival Production. (WORKSHOP LEADER)
Physical Theatre, Movement Tutor & Project Director (ArtsEd)
June 2007 - July 2011
Freelance role teaching BA MT and BA Acting. Additional coaching for Summer School courses. (COACH / TUTOR)
Movement Tutor (Central School of Speech and Drama)
June 2007 - July 2011
HPL - MA Acting for Screen and MA Musical Theatre (COACH & TUTOR)
Additional Teaching and Workshops
1989 - 2007
Various schools: Dubai, Singapore & Japan
Labyrinth Greek Drama Project (Crete, World Spirit)
Royal Shakespeare Company
Sacred Journeys Yoga Retreats -'Intention Work' (Co-Founder & Creative Director)
Holborn Centre for Performing Arts
Lesson One Language School
Young Vic Summer School
De Montford University
Brunel University
Oxford University (Might & Main)
Middlesex Poly (Might & Main)
Chester College (Might & Main)
Various Mental Health Centres in Outer London (Might & Main)
London Connection (Homeless Young People - Might & Main)
Various Schools in Outer London (Might & Main)
Contact
Gail Sixsmith is always on the lookout for new projects and collaborations.
She also coaches Expressive Body and Embodied Communication.
For more information, do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Kennington, London