Movement Director and Performance Coach

Sarah is a movement coach and director. A former Royal Ballet dancer and Royal Shakespeare Company actor, she has a depth of vision and understanding of the body, movement and acting.

Sarah works with actors, dancers, opera singers, performance artists and public speakers. Her skill focuses on drawing out from the deepest level, the emotional-physical story embedded in text, role, aria variation, pitch or presentation. Her exacting eye for detail, and keen intuition enables her to facilitate a director’s vision, and empower the performer to fully realise their own unique, dramatic physical and vocal presence

Movement Direction

Movement direction for theatre, film and tv. Physical direction for specific character requirements for the actor, coaching in period drama etiquette and form, and direction of ensemble movement.

Sarah is a real pleasure to work with. She is adept at reading the room and understanding the needs of performers very quickly. She is very intuitive and able to provide input that enhances and develops the work being done. She builds performers' confidence, giving them tools and ideas that enable them to reveal much greater detail and specificity of character.

Isabelle Kettle

Opera and Theatre Director, ROH

Working with Sarah I developed a lot of confidence in my body’s ability to create the drama needed in my scenes. We worked on the role of Juliet (Gounod) which I performed at the Royal Opera House, and I have never felt more powerful and grounded on the stage. I had complete trust in myself and was wholly committed to the storytelling through my body and mind.

Alex Lowe

Soprano, Royal Opera House

Choreography

Sarah crafts movement and dance to any required style or era.

Movement and Performance Coaching

Sarah tailors sessions to the individual needs of the performer. For actors, dancers, singers, conductors, directors, public speakers and performance artists.

Her ability lies in drawing out the individual brilliance of the speaker or performer.

The work I did with Sarah was to unlock an aspect of performing I’d never even thought about let alone explore before. These workshops will be something I reflect upon and continue to utilise for the rest of my career.

Reece Clarke

principal dancer, The Royal Ballet

Working with Sarah over the years has cracked open a shell that I hadn't realised was covering me. She's exposed me to a whole new approach to dramatic performance and is of paramount importance to my character development both in and out of the studio. Her enthusiasm and commitment is the perfect nest for new ideas and openness of spirit to grow.

Harris Bell

Dancer Royal Ballet

I worked with Sarah for over a year at the Royal Opera House. More than anyone else, she has helped me to unlock my inner artist and to find an emotive, expressive physicality. She is able to connect emotion to movement in a way that is bespoke but immediate and has a long-lasting effect on her students work.

Matt Scott Rodgers

conductor, Royal Opera House

Sarah helped me so much to explore and make myself aware on how my body can support my work when it’s given the proper attention and care.

Andres Presno

Tenor, Royal Opera House

An absolute gift - for living in a more connected and embodied way and for and learning to truly love your body, whatever size or shape.

Hattie Edmonds

Writer, Cinema Lumiere, The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick

Sarah made me feel so comfortable and excited to learn. She has a way of pulling you out of your comfort zone but at the same making you feel right at home. I learned so much in our time together and I look forward to more acting adventures together.

Meaghan Grace

First soloist, The Royal Ballet

"Sarah is absolutely wonderful. She met everyone at their ability level and made them better by making it fun."

"Sarah put so much into making the classes a safe caring space to grow and to explore. I have a new love for movement."

"Sarah is just incredible, and she really helped me embody my character. Thank you!"

"I felt challenged in ways I’ve never felt challenged before, but also held so gently. By far my favourite movement class ever."

"W.O.W Sarah was phenomenal, loving, inspiring."

Public speaking

Sarah clients range from college students to c suite executives. Coaching the individual in grounding techniques, embodiment work, breathe and voice, she enables her clients to find the emotional core of their presentation and step into their power as public speakers.

She specialises in physical presence, body language, confidence and authenticity.

" I had a stutter throughout my childhood, and with this grew a deep dread of public speaking, which remained with me into my adult life. I worked with Sarah intensively She taught me to speak with confidence and clarity. I cannot describe how this has changed my work life, and also how much freedom and confidence her work has brought to my everyday experience of life. "

Emily Dolan

Psychotherapist

" Sarah's sessions taught me how to fully connect to the material I was pitching, and helped me with tools to "think on my feet''. It was also phenomenally useful to help me distill the content of my presentations and pitches. I would highly recommend this to anyone who thinks they need to improve pitching and presenting."

Film Producer

"Sarah has an innate ability to identify and address blockages and traumas, guiding me through key exercises that have allowed me to overcome these obstacles. With her nurturing approach, she has given me a newfound sense of confidence and self-assurance that affects every aspect of my life. She creates an atmosphere that encourages creativity and exploration, making the entire process very enjoyable. I cannot thank Sarah enough for the positive impact she has had on my career and life. For anyone trying to break barriers and gain confidence, I wholeheartedly recommend Sarah."

Vanessa Murrell

Founder of DATEAGLE ART

“Sarah gave me invaluable tools for developing my presentations enabling the creation of deep and genuine connection with an audience. Wonderful. “

Henry Krokatsis

Director of Gang or Virtue ltd. Founder of Queensrollahouse.

Recent work

Her recent work includes movement direction for OUT OF SEASON, Hampstead Theatre, movement direction for Hongxi Li -Royal College of Art, movement-coaching singers at the Royal Opera House, movement direction for The Summer Performances 2021 and 2022 at ROH, performance/acting-coaching for dancers of the Royal Ballet and movement workshops at RADA.

Verdi’s Falstaff, Image : Ellie Kurtz

Notable earlier work as dancer and actor

The Royal Ballet: Princess Stephanie Mayerling, Jemima Puddleduck, The Tales Of Beatrix Potter. Theatre work: Mary Brennan in Our Country’s Good, Young Vic, Philomela and Echo in Tales From Ovid, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon and the Barbican, Octavia in Anthony And Cleopatra Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon, The Fever by Wallace Shawn, RSC Fringe. Anya in The Cherry Orchard, The Glasgow Citizens Theatre, Cythia Muldoon in The Real Inspector Hound, Exeter Theatre, Clea in Black Comedy, Exeter Theatre, Julia in Britannicus at the Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre, Sybil Vane In Dorian Gray with Alan Bates Lucy in Joe Penhall’s Pale Horse, Three Horseshoes Theatre, Hampstead. Florence Dombey And Sons Vi -This Happy Breed Japanese Noh Plays, Rada

Sarah has worked in lead roles with directors Tim Supple, Tim Carrolll, William Gaskill, Robin Phillips, Stephen Pimlott, Brigit Panet, Phillip Prowse.

Connection Workshops

Developed intuitive connection is at the root of high level innovation and creativity. Evolving the skills of clear communication, collaboration and accessing flow are intrinsic also to building success within our relationships – personal, political and international.

Learning to listen to the body’s innate intelligence and to the instinctual self creates the connection necessary for optimum performance.

In these workshops, designed for corporations and educational organisations, Sarah leads us through techniques and exercises developed through her rigorous experience as movement coach for the Royal Opera House, actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company and dancer with The Royal Ballet. Participants are guided to access their authentic self, fostering connection in order to take their collaborations onto the next level, be it in the classroom, staffroom, boardroom, or global government think tank.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant, We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” Einstein

Contact

07816872841

info@sarah-walton-movement.co.uk