Stephen's Background
Stephen Atkins holds a PhD in acting and actor training from the University of Kent and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary performing arts, spanning stage, film, and performance research. His academic work focuses on acting systems, rehearsal processes, intercultural performance, and the relationship between embodied practice and theory.
His training draws from more than 35 years of international study and practice, including Stanislavsky, Grotowski, Suzuki Actor Training, Viewpoints, Meisner, Practical Aesthetics, and Michael Chekhov Technique. He has also worked with somatic and intercultural approaches such as Butoh, Body Weather, Lecoq-influenced movement, mask, and Asian performance forms, bringing these traditions into his teaching, directing, and the development of Crosspoints.
Education
2018-2021
University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
PhD Drama, Practice as Research
Examined modes of writing about actor training in ways that transmit practical knowledge. The work explored hoe to carry processes, embodied technique, and tacit studio knowledge into scholarly and pedagogical contexts.
2011-2014
Queensland University of Technology,
Brisbane, Australia
DCI Postgraduate Coursework
Practice-led research and Literature Review in actor training, performance systems, and intercultural methodologies. The work investigated how rehearsal paradigms can be restructured under thee broadened contemporary field.
1992-1996
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, Canada
Master of Fine Arts
Bridged interdisciplinary performance studies with industry-facing projects. These included creative practice, reflective and scholarly inquiry through an exegesis. Devised performance, teleplay, pilot script, series bible.
1984-1988
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, Canada
Bachelor of Arts, Acting & Performance
Actor trainninig based in Stanislavsky, Grotowski and intercultural methods. Minors and electives in Political Science, Criminology, Cimmunications Studies, Psychology and Arts History.
Meyerhold's Biomechanics, Composition
International University of the Global Theatre Experience, Bovec, Slovenia.
2009
Meisner Technique
The Sanford Meisner Center, Los Angeles, USA / Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
2008
Linklater Voice, Balinese Dance Theatre, Shakespeare
Canadian National Voice Intensive, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
1991
Stanislavskian Acting Method (audit)
Regional Theatre, Kiev, Ukraine.
1987