teaching

Madeleine combines her professional work with being an Associate Teacher at RADA and with private coaching for her company 'Plain Speaking'. She designs bespoke training for businesses and students which can also be delivered digitally.

 

With almost fifteen years experence as a LAMDA examiner in performance arts subjects, including public speaking, Madeleine provides training for teachers who want to prepare students for LAMDA examinations - whatever their level of experience.

 

If you need help with speech writing and presentation, or work in the public sector and need to provide professional training to sharpen your managers and directors leadership skills, if you are a student and want to do performance exams or go to drama school, if you are searching for a job and need interview technique and help dealing with nerves then Plain Speaking can address your concerns, assist and support you as well as consult on image. 

 

Madeleine has coached actors who have been accepted at Central School of Speech and Drama, LAMDA, Oxford School of Drama, ALRA, Rose Bruford and Julliard in New York.

 

Plain Speaking provides workable solutions in a stressfree environment and offers a uniquely personal and flexible approach for everyone, allowing you to select the most appropriate service for you.

 

Get your ideas across effectively with powerful presenting, make an impact and influence your audience.

 

Initial consultation is free. 

 

testimonials & interviews
 
"…Plain Speaking provided some great insight and assistance for a very large and complicated role I was about to do for the feature film 'The Conclave'. Madeleine Wynn is a skilled practitioner and helped me greatly in my preparation…"
- James Faulkner, Actor
 
 
"I cannot write in words how much it has meant to me. Getting into Drama School is something I have wanted for so long. You have pushed me, made me question myself and cemented my desire to pursue my acting. For these things I cannot thank you enough. I have felt truly privileged to have been taught by you." 
- Sophie Cookson, Actor
 
 
I have worked with director after director, famous ones, all different ones, and they almost never get the main thing. You get the main thing. It’s that simple. And it was heaven. You allow it to live, to breathe... to be with the hidden heaven at the centre of a play. I remember when you were directing and you said, ‘Don’t rush. Nobody has to speak. Just take your time.’ And he did. And it breathed. I am so often with directors for theatre and I say, ‘but it needs a couple of seconds more!' And they don’t hear it."
- Craig Warner, Screenwriter
 
 
"Working with Madeleine on the speaking of my poems for a festival was a revelation. Madeleine hadn't encountered my work before and bought a fresh and forensic ear and eye. She reminded me I'd spent hours (days/weeks even!) writing my work and to remember the sounds, the pauses, the line-breaks, the punctuation, the stresses, the meaning and the mood and observe the way I had constructed each poem, each line of each poem when reading the poems out loud; to honour all that work and to avoid reading each poem with the same approach and delivery. I learned a huge amount in a relatively short time. After working together on one particular poem I even changed a line-ending: a minute tweaking of a stress in the line made a huge difference to the ear, and thus the poem as a whole. Above all working with Madeleine gave me confidence in my work. I would recommend working with Madeleine to any poet however, accustomed they are to reading their work aloud to an audience." - Lizzi Thistlethwayte, Author and Poet
 

"…I had not acted before until a recent production for charity, I was given great help, as well as an insight into the fascinating techniques involved from a real theatre professional. We are very lucky to have Plain Speaking available to us in Suffolk."
- James Lightfoot, Solicitor, Woodbridge
 

"…John and I were extremely impressed with Madeleine's approach and ability. Over only a few hours she developed our script and identified the areas that needed focus to give the best delivery on the day. We would happily recommend them."
- Andrew McNab, Maritime Transport Ltd., Felixstowe
 

"My experience of working with Madeleine in preparation for my auditions was second to none. A perfectionist down to the very last detail, Madeleine's dramatically innovative eye and expert direction encouraged me to find the very best of my talent, and steered me to portray it at its absolute optimum. I have nothing but great respect, praise and gratitude for Madeleine."
- Kelsey Cameron, Student
 

"I would wholeheartedly recommend Plain Speaking to others. I was helped to move into unfamiliar territory. My needs were assessed quickly, practical steps were suggested to make significant shifts in my "image" and "look". The impact has been tangible. I continue to get regular, positive feedback from clients and colleagues."
- Nancy Clay, Rowland Fisher Lexon Consulting
 

"A regular attender of the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival I put my name down for Madeleine’s Shakespeare coaching session last November (2016). It turned out to be the highlight of the weekend. Madeleine’s coaching enriched and informed my approach and I went away with valuable tools and tips that will increase my pleasure in reading out loud. I wish I’d met Madeleine many years ago."
- Professor Andrew James
 
Interview

From

Training & Development / article by Sheline Clarke

SUFFOLK BUSINESS

An East Anglain Daily Times Publication

 

Make the First Impression Count

 

Public speaking and making that all important first impression can be a nerve wracking experience. But with a few simple pointers from Madeleine Wynn you could find yourself actually enjoying the experience and reaping the rewards. Shelline Clarke went to meet the woman behind Plain Speaking.

 

For every confident businessman or woman who can keep an audience hanging on their every word there is one who finds the prospect of public speaking unsettling, worrying or completely terrifying. And while you can probably avoid taking centre stage, you could be missing untold opportunities to promote your business and establish yourself as a competent player field. That's where Speaking can help.

 

Having spent her life in the entertainment business, Madeleine Wynn knows a thing or two about presentation and delivery. Having recently moved to Suffolk from London, she decided to set up a business venture using skills and experience to help a whole range of different people, from those in business preparing for a big speech, a PowerPoint presentation or a networking event, to a student hoping to get into drama school.

 

“It is about bringing people out of themselves and encouraging them to be themselves,” said Madeleine, a successful actress, writer and theatre director.

 

“There is no point in dressing them up to be someone else, or writing a speech that doesn't reflect anything of them in it. I work from the inside out. It is important that people feel good about themselves.”

 

“Every client is different and how I work depends very much on their personality and what they are trying to achieve. What I don't want are clones. I would hate that.”

 

“Individuality is very important. Often I may start with what they have down on paper, because you have to start somewhere, but often I find that that is'nt really what they need at all.”

 

The process starts with a free hour-long consultation when Madeleine will meet the prospective client over a coffee and try to establish if she can help. “It is a collaborative process.”

 

With her acting and directing experience, Madeleine can help with the public speaking, speech writing and with image. Just as important is advising a businessman addressing a conference on what tie to wear with his suit and to make sure he understands what kind of image he portrays if he speaks with his hands in his pockets, has a loose thread on his shoulder or a five o'clock shadow. Attention to detail is very important, as is knowing your audience and doing your homework.

 

There is also a good deal to be learnt about speech patterns, appropriate pausing and speaking clearly, “when you are nervous your face freezes up and I can help to overcome that so you don't trip over your words,” said Madeleine. “We all suffer from stage fright or panic attacks at times, and there are some very simple techniques to overcome this. It is okay to be nervous, we are all nervous—rock stars before a performance, politicians—the trick is to be able to transform those nerves into positive energy to help you to deliver a memorable speech.”

 

“It is also important to breath properly, and use breathing techniques to help calm and settle yourself before a big entrance. Watch David Beckham before he takes a penalty. He breaths long and hard five times before he is ready."

 

“People should never underestimate themselves and are often amazed at what they can achieve and their ability to impress.”

 

 

Local Enterprise District News

December 2004

 

Plain Speaking aims to help and advise people about getting up and speaking in public—whether in a work or social situation, or as a student wishing to go to drama school. Madeleine Wynn coaches in personal image and presentation skills, including the use of Powerpoint, and in interviewing techniques.

 

She will also give private sessions which help the individual build confidence and select suitable material for a speech, whatever the occasion from a family wedding or a village fete to a major business presentation or job interview.

 

Madeleine worked in the professional theatre in London and decided to move to the countryside four years ago, teaching at Warren Hill Youth Offenders Institute, Hollesley Bay as a performing arts lecturer and as an examiner on the board of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic. She has given lectures and masterclasses at Sudbury Upper, Woodbridge School, Framlingham College, and with gifted children at Leiston School, as well as privately coaching.