Ding ding, round one.

What a brilliant first day. Any nerves I had before the day disappeared when I met the dynamic group of actors who were waiting for us! I was unable to be involved in the audition process and had therefore not met the ensemble before. But the 8 schools selected have not let us down. There is a diverse mix of age and experience and I can already see the skeleton of two great casts emerging.

So what did we do? Joss began the day with an introduction to our expectations for the project, and what is required from each of our actors during this process. I followed with some silly games and 'ice-breakers' and then Joss led the ensemble through some improvisation exercises. It should be said by this point the talent and creativity of the company was really becoming evident. When our designer Libby Todd delivered the design presentation the excitement amongst the cast was tangible. One of the cast highlighting the opportunity to work with professional design and costumes as a particularly enjoyable surprise in our reflections session at the end of the day.

After lunch there was some singing followed by movement improvisation before we split into smaller groups for the latter session. These included measuring for costumes, an introduction to the Arts Award and the self evaluation integral to our creative process. While these we're going on Joss and I began work on some of Shakespeare's text - I must say that I was surprised at the ease with which some of the ensemble took to Shakespeare's language. When there was something that couldn't be understood the rest of the company, at this point the audience, would offer suggestion and collectively decipher the text.

Last year I wasn't involved in the project at such an early stage - but it's wonderful to see the ease with which this company has bonded socially. A number of the actors reflected upon this in the final session and some went further to say that it has created an atmosphere that meant they were not afraid to get up and act in front of a group of people they've never met before that morning.

After all this you can well see how we might all be exhausted, but that's just day one! Today we have movement and voice masterclasses to look forward to and we aim to be cast by tomorrow morning. A good breakfast eaten and lots of water packed we're ready and raring to go.