Joerg Andrees
Founder & Director of MCIA / Tutor
Joerg Andrees is the founder of the Michael Chekhov International Academy (MCIA) and leads the Intensive Training Programme in the Chekhov Technique, which progresses towards the Michael Chekhov Technique Teacher Certification. A stage and film director, performer, and tutor, Joerg is regarded globally as one of the foremost exponents of the Michael Chekhov Method. He trained in Germany as a film director with Heiner Carow and later in the Michael Chekhov Method in New York with Ted Pugh and Fern Sloan.
Joerg has tutored and directed worldwide, employing the unique features of the Chekhov Method. He co-established the first International Michael Chekhov Conference in Berlin in 1992 and the 4th IMCC in 1995, initiating a worldwide Michael Chekhov Movement. Until autumn 2017, he had a leading role in the Michael Chekhov Studio Berlin for over 25 years. Joerg has developed applications of the Chekhov Method for music, singing, dancing, arts, and writing, and since 2008, in Chekhov Theatre Therapy.
He has delivered courses throughout Germany, notably at the Alfred Schnittke Akademy International in Hamburg, and directed theatre, dance, music, and screen performances. Joerg has conducted workshops in many countries, including the Eugene O’Neill Centre in the USA, Cardiff University in Wales, the School of Speech and Drama in Australia, and The Orff-Institute in Austria. He is a faculty member of MICHA New York and Michael Chekhov Europe.
Kevin Dowsett
Founder & Director of Theatretrain / Tutor
Kevin Dowsett has 50 years of experience in education and theatre. He is the founder of Theatretrain, established in 1992, and has become a leader in educational theatre for children and young people. Kevin has taught theatre and stagecraft at all levels and has written plays and published books about theatre training. He has worked in many drama schools training professional actors, including a stint as Head of Acting at the Italia Conti Academy.
For six years, Kevin taught Advanced Acting Process at the City Literary Institute, a course for professional actors. He has led workshops in many European countries and continues to adjudicate in theatre festivals and teach at international summer schools. From 2007 to 2013, he was the President of EDERED, a pan-European theatre organization creating annual drama encounters. Since 2003, he has been the President of the Great Britain Centre of the International Amateur Theatre Association.
Kevin’s published works include the musical play “Dream Date,” “The Theatretrain Way,” a handbook for teachers, and “100 Days – Developing the Performer’s Mindset,” a guide for young performers.
Sarah Purcell
International Acting Coach / Tutor
Sarah Purcell is a distinguished acting coach with extensive experience in the Michael Chekhov Technique. Based in Berlin, she has been actively involved in the field of drama and acting for over 15 years. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from London Metropolitan University and a Diploma of Associate to teach Speech and Drama from the London College of Music.
Sarah’s career is marked by a series of notable achievements. She has been awarded Best Actress at both the RTE All-Ireland Drama Festival and the Dundalk International Maytime Festival. Her training includes intensive courses with esteemed tutors such as Joerg Andrees, Graham Dixon, and Sarah Kane. Sarah has also participated in annual intensive training in both the Michael Chekhov and Stanislavski Techniques at Stageworks in Ireland.
In her professional capacity, Sarah has taught at various prestigious institutions, including The Michael Chekhov Studio Berlin, ALRA South, and ALRA North in the UK. She regularly conducts workshops and lectures on different aspects of the Michael Chekhov Technique, contributing significantly to the academic and practical understanding of acting. Her work as an acting coach extends to individual coaching sessions for both professional and non-professional actors, as well as collaborations with theatre companies like Tollhaus Theater Compagnie in Munich.
Sarah’s dedication to the craft of acting and her deep understanding of the Michael Chekhov Technique make her an invaluable resource for actors seeking to enhance their skills and creativity.
Frank McGrath
Audiologist, Drama Enthusiast / Tutor
Frank McGrath, formerly of Tipp and now residing in Co. Cavan, Ireland, is a highly experienced audiologist and a passionate drama enthusiast with a robust background in sound production and amateur theatre. He holds the title of Fellow of the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists and has been actively involved in the field of audiology for 19 years.
Frank’s professional journey began with a qualification as a Marine Electronics, Radio, and Radar Officer from the College of Marine Radio & Radar in Limerick. Over the years, he has held various roles in technology and audiology, including positions with well known national companies and clinics. Five years ago he established his own audiology clinics in the North East of Ireland. His expertise in psychoacoustics and auditory processing has led to the development of innovative tinnitus assessment and treatment processes.
In the realm of theatre, Frank has been involved since 1995, working with the Nenagh Players, Moate Theatre Group, and Sillan Players. He has won numerous Best Actor awards and Best Director accolades at drama festivals throughout Ireland. His love of drama brought him to the annual summer school in Gormanston for their week long immersion into Chechovs Method as well as voice training with professional acting coaches such as John O’Hare and David Scott.
Frank’s unique blend of expertise in sound and hearing science with his passion for drama has enabled him to create a course that bridge these fields. His contributions to theatre sound production are informed by his extensive knowledge of psychoacoustics and the emotional aspects of sound.