Michèle Lonsdale-Smith: When the “Work” Becomes Harm
The information regarding this individual and company has been taken from articles written by Sara Jin Li at The Cut and a podcast episode of The 98%. This article is not written with malicious intent, nor to harass or defame anyone. It is shared in good faith and in the public interest, based on information already reported publicly or directly experienced by others. The purpose is awareness and protection - not personal attack.
Warning: This post contains discussion of emotional abuse, boundary violations, manipulation and sexualised behaviour. Please take care when reading.
In May 2023, The Cut published a long investigation reporting serious allegations from former students of Michèle Lonsdale-Smith and her studio (Lonsdale Smith & Company / LS&CO). Former students described techniques and class dynamics that, they say, crossed professional, ethical and personal boundaries - practices they describe as “cult like abuse.”
What the reporting and survivors say (key examples)
“Relaxation” turned extreme: Students describe long “relaxation” exercises in which people were instructed to lie on the floor or sit while being pushed to hyperventilate, restrain normal body responses, and remain motionless despite distress. Former students say the teacher stood over them and encouraged more extreme behaviour, framing it as essential to “the Work.”
Verbal “stoning” and public humiliation: Several former students report being singled out for intense, public berating - labelled as “in resistance,” accused of harming the class, and shamed in front of peers. Those who did not break down in tears were sometimes reprimanded for not doing the “work.”
Personal information weaponised: The reporting describes how private details (sexuality, relationships, family life) were used in-class as material for critique or to coerce confessions - sometimes pressuring students to make statements that later turned out to be false or invented.
Physical and sexual boundary violations during “exercises”: The article includes accounts of unwanted sexual contact occurring in the context of relaxation work (for example, a student approaching and assaulting another during an exercise), with survivors saying the format enabled behaviour that would have been unacceptable outside that context.
Isolation and cult-like dynamics: Former students describe a “guru” dynamic - a central leader positioned as the only source of truth, discouragement of outside relationships, and group pressure that discouraged dissent. A network of ex-students formed a private group to support one another and warn others. The LA branch of the studio reportedly closed as attendance dropped, and students filed complaints in Canada that led to a finding of bullying by the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
On The 98% podcast: survivor testimony
The 98% spoke with a survivor on the podcast in August 2023 who shared a firsthand account of how the experience of training at this studio affected her mental health and confidence, and how difficult it was to name what had happened while she was in it. Hearing her story alongside the reporting made the patterns crystal clear: when power is concentrated, when consent and boundaries are not enforced, and when students are taught to equate suffering with progress, harm becomes likely. (Listen to the episode here.)
Expanded, concrete red flags (with examples from the reporting)
These are behaviours and dynamics former students identified; if you see a cluster of these in a teacher or training space, take them seriously.
Extreme emotional demand framed as “truth” or “the Work.”
Examples: pressuring students into prolonged, disorienting relaxation; telling them they are “lying” if they don’t confess a particular truth.
Public shaming / punitive “feedback.”
Examples: naming a student as “holding the group back,” instructing others to join in shaming, or demanding public apologies as a corrective measure.
Use of private/personal details as material without consent.
Examples: accusing students of cheating, or telling someone their sexuality/relationships/family are defective for dramatic effect.
Physical contact or sexualised behaviour in exercises without robust, explicit consent protocols.
Examples: reports of sexual advances occurring in the context of “relaxation” work, where the environment normalised boundary-crossing.
Discouragement of outside perspectives / isolation.
Examples: implying outside relationships or therapists are an obstacle, or rewarding exclusive loyalty.
Lack of transparency (fees, contracts, grievance process).
Examples: high-cost sessions charged without clear refund or complaint mechanisms; no documented code of conduct or external oversight.
A “guru” leader who becomes the sole arbiter of truth and progress.
Examples: a teacher presented as infallible whose direction cannot be questioned.
If you’re a student: practical steps and safety options
Trust your reactions. Feeling persistently unsafe, shamed, or coerced is a real signal - you don’t have to “stick it out” for your career. Leaving the situation, and not returning, doesn’t make you a bad actor - prioritising your safety and wellbeing is part of being professional.
Document everything. Keep dates, messages, receipts, and contemporaneous notes of incidents. These are crucial if you need to report or seek legal/union support.
Find a support person (friend, peer, therapist) to discuss experiences; isolation amplifies harm.
Ask the teacher questions before you commit: What’s your consent policy? What grievance procedure exists? Is there external oversight?
If harm happened, seek specialist support. A trauma-informed therapist, a survivors’ help line, union advice, or legal counsel can help you make a safe plan.
If you’re a teacher or studio leader
Consider implementing:
A written code of conduct (explicit consent protocols, physical boundaries, confidentiality rules).
Grievance & reporting process with an independent reviewer.
Trained support (a trained mental-health professional on standby for intensive work).
Transparent fees & contracts with opt-out/refund clauses for unsafe or misrepresented practices.
External accountability: peer review, periodic audits, or membership in a body that can receive complaints.
Implementing these measures protects students, teachers and the integrity of your training.
Why this matters for the wider industry
Acting training lives in a grey area: teachers are not always regulated, classes can be costly and aspirants often accept extremes out of need for validation or opportunity. That combination creates risk. The reporting on LS&CO is a reminder that the craft of acting should never require a suspension of consent, dignity or safety - and that accountability and education are essential to prevent harm. This studio has reportedly worked in Europe, as well as across North America. Remember to do your due diligence when spending your time, energy, and money on someone who is supposed to support and uplift you.
Listen, read, and share
Read the investigative piece in The Cut for the full reporting and named survivor accounts.
Hear the testimony of a former student and how she has used her experience to now re-train as an art therapist to “raise the artist’s inner self” on The 98% podcast here.
If you relate to this experience
If any of what you’ve read or heard feels familiar, know that it wasn’t right, and your feelings matter. Training spaces should be safe and nurturing - not places where harm is excused in the name of working on the craft. Experiencing manipulation, humiliation, or boundary violations in a context that should support your growth can cause lasting damage.
Please seek emotional support if you need it. Talking with a trusted friend, peer, therapist, or support network can make a difference. You deserve to be heard, validated, and reminded that what happened to you was not your fault, and you don’t have to work through it alone, or in silence.
This post is not intended to incite harassment or targeting of any individual. It is intended to keep our community informed, so we can all make safe and informed choices. The industry has a long history of silence around harm. Breaking that silence is the first step toward real safeguarding.
Read the original report from The Cut here.
Listen to The 98% episode with a former student here or by listening to Series 5 Episode 18 wherever you get podcasts. While the episode does touch on the guest’s experience of these classes, we mostly discuss the importance of safe teaching spaces and actors self empowerment.
Experienced misconduct and need support for next steps? Read this.