News
Training Weekend with Mountview Academy at Cours Florent
Every year, teachers from Mountview Academy in London come to Cours Florent to lead a full acting weekend, which concludes with an audition opportunity for third-year students wishing to join one of their Master’s programs after completing their training at Cours Florent.
Mountview Academy is renowned for its professional training in performing and production arts. The workshop weekend was truly enriching for all participating students. The teachers visited us in Paris to deliver three days of focused and intensive training, introducing us to a different artistic approach.
During the workshop, we began by exploring Laban efforts, working in depth on various movement dynamics and how they influence physical expression. Through these exercises, we trained both voice and body, gaining a deeper understanding of how energy, rhythm, and intention shape performance. Alongside the physical work, we also engaged with text, applying the principles we had explored. At the end of the workshop, we presented short pieces inspired by the Laban efforts we had practiced—a meaningful way to see how technical training translates into performance.
On Sunday morning, at the end of the weekend, third‑year students also had the opportunity to audition for Mountview’s Master’s programmes. The audition panel consisted of three highly experienced faculty members who had trained us throughout the workshop. Because they had already worked with us, the audition felt both rigorous and supportive. They created an atmosphere that was serious yet encouraging, making the experience both challenging and enjoyable.
What struck me most throughout this experience was the variety of acting approaches. As someone from Georgia, I first trained within a very different theatrical tradition. When I moved to Paris, I discovered another methodology at Cours Florent. And now, through this Mountview workshop, I have been exposed to yet another perspective. Experiencing these contrasts has been incredibly enriching. It has allowed me to reflect more consciously on my craft and to broaden my artistic vocabulary.
This workshop was not only an opportunity for intensive training, but also a moment of personal growth. It reminded me why I chose this path: to constantly challenge myself, stay open to new methods, and keep evolving as an artist. Encountering different acting approaches—from Georgia to Paris, and now to Mountview—has shaped me in ways I am only beginning to understand.
I am now waiting for the results from Mountview—fingers crossed. Whatever the outcome, this experience has already left a deep impression on me. It has strengthened my curiosity, my discipline, and my belief that growth happens when we dare to step into the unknown.
Images
Written by Evi SHEVARNADZE