The Lab: Creative Flow, Innovation & Artistry

  • "Release and Cultivate Your Creative Expression"

    Offering focused guidance in dance, physical theatre, and creative expression. I’ll help you explore and develop your artistic side, turning ideas into impactful forms of expression. For many of us creativity has been blocked in childhood or entering the professional world, learn to uncover the hidden treasures in your body through play”

    • Focus:

      • Creative Expression

      • Dance

      • Physical Theatre

    • Benefits:

      • “Together, we’ll develop your artistic skills and explore new forms of creative expression.”

      • “Engage in dynamic activities that foster emotional and artistic growth.”

      • “Discover innovative ways to express yourself through play, movement and performance”

  • “Studying under Ben's pedagogy was truly a step forward to the understanding of human bodies' capabilities. It is challenging and demands full focus. Ben will adapt himself to the student’s needs and will push them to reach their best creativity level. I got out of every class feeling fulfilled on a physical aspect and, most importantly, I found myself creating work.”

    — Tom Koch

  • “I felt extremely fulfilled going home - I’ve been telling all my friends and family about class and they are so intrigued by it all. ”

    -Millie Gibbons 

  • “This practice is beneficial to all, especially to all performers. Learning to understand, listen to and trust your body is essential to all truthful performance. This works allows you to explore yourself and teaches you techniques in releasing unwanted and unnecessary tension. “

    — Girshel Topuria

  • “ I have been using the techniques the past few days and they're really effective! I look forward to more!”

    — Danny Musengo

  • “Never before have I encountered a martial art that puts me so completely in my body.  After only a couple classes I found my awareness of my body increased exponentially, and I already had several years of martial arts and dance under my belt.  People chuckle when I tell them that we spend a solid half of class rolling on the floor, but my body now does things I had no idea it could do (like stand up from lying down without using my hands)!  Plus, who doesn't want to practice knife fighting blindfolded?!”

    — Robin Stillwater

  • “If you want to be in truthful dialogue with your body, to reconnect with its natural intelligence, and to work with someone who will gently but masterfully guide you to towards that, then work with Ben! I completely trust his knowledge of how the body works, and his holistic, connected approach. ”

    — Sabrina Hayeem-Ladani

  • “My first session was a revelation.  I can only describe it as a combination of being taught how to adjust my own spine, to rethink how to move my body to correct the bad habits, and to stretch more deeply than any yoga class.  To my surprise I was tearful at the end of the session, partly due to the deep release and partly because for the first time ever I could see that there was light at the end of the pain tunnel. Ben’s gifted and intuitive teaching reminds me of seeing a master in that he can sense the issue before I try and explain it in words.  It is quite remarkable. “

    -Natalie Clark

  • “Ben is a skillful and articulate teacher. He led the students through a physical warm-up with essential instruction, clarifying or demonstrating when needed, and letting students figure it out on their own through exploration and play. The parameters for ensemble work grew out of the individual work giving the students confidence and freedom.”

    — Erin O’Leary

Actor Training Services

    • Tailor workouts to enhance physical strength, flexibility, and endurance while also focusing on skills such as body awareness, movement dynamics, and expression.

    • Provide guidance on integrating acting techniques into physical training sessions to enhance performance quality and authenticity.

    • Exploration of Physicality: Engage in exercises and improvisations that focus on the body as the primary means of expression, encouraging actors to explore movement, gesture, and non-verbal communication.

    • Devising Workshops: Facilitate collaborative workshops where actors collectively generate original material through experimentation, exploration, and improvisation, drawing on physical movement, imagery, and symbolism.

    • Character Physicalization: Explore techniques for embodying characters through physicality, incorporating elements such as posture, gesture, and movement quality to convey personality, emotion, and intention.

    • Composition and Choreography: Guide actors in the creation of structured compositions and choreographed sequences, integrating physical elements with narrative themes and motifs to create dynamic, visually compelling performances.

    • Collaborative Rehearsal Process: Cultivate an ensemble-based approach to rehearsals, emphasizing collaboration, mutual respect, and collective ownership of the creative process.

    • Trust-Building Exercises: Facilitate exercises and activities designed to foster trust, communication, and rapport among ensemble members, creating a supportive and cohesive working environment.

    • Shared Artistic Vision: Encourage ensemble members to collaboratively define and refine the artistic vision for productions, ensuring that everyone feels invested in and aligned with the creative goals and objectives.

    • Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Provide tools and strategies for navigating group dynamics and addressing conflicts that may arise within the ensemble, promoting open communication, empathy, and constructive problem-solving.

    • Host specialized workshops or intensives focusing on physical actor training techniques.

    • Offer immersive training experiences that combine physical conditioning with theatrical exercises, improvisation, and scene work.

    • Provide opportunities for actors to develop their physicality, stage presence, and character embodiment through hands-on training and feedback.

    • Actor Training Workshops and Intensives: Exploration of 20th Century Actor Training:

    • Stanislavski Method: Delve into the foundational principles of Konstantin Stanislavski's system, focusing on techniques such as emotional memory, sense memory, and the "Magic If" to cultivate authenticity and depth in performances.

    • Method Acting: Explore the teachings of Lee Strasberg and the Actors Studio, emphasizing emotional truth, personalization, and psychological immersion to connect deeply with characters and situations.

    • Physical Approaches (e.g., Michael Chekhov, Jacques Lecoq): Study physical-based techniques that emphasize movement, gesture, and expressiveness to enhance characterization and storytelling.

    • Voice and Speech Training. Investigate vocal training methods that focus on breath, resonance, and articulation to develop a versatile and expressive voice for stage and screen.

    • Scene Work and Character Study: Apply principles from various training styles to scene work and character development exercises, allowing actors to experiment with different approaches and find methods that resonate with their individual processes.

    • Hybrid Approaches: Encourage actors to integrate insights from 20th-century training styles with contemporary approaches, fostering a flexible and adaptive toolkit for approaching diverse roles and performance contexts.

    • Individualized Coaching: Provide personalized coaching and guidance to help actors tailor their training experiences to suit their unique artistic goals, preferences, and areas of focus.

    • Reflective Discussions and Analysis: Facilitate discussions and analysis sessions where actors can reflect on their experiences with different training styles, identify strengths and challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of their artistic preferences and growth areas.

    • Text Analysis: Script Breakdown Sessions: Learn techniques for dissecting scripts, identifying character objectives, obstacles, and subtext to develop nuanced performances.

    • Character Development Workshops: Dive deep into character motivations, relationships, and arcs through analytical discussions and improvisational exercises.

    • Monologue Coaching: Receive personalized coaching on monologues for auditions, focusing on interpretation, emotional depth, and engaging delivery.

    • Acting for the Camera: Understand the nuances of on-camera acting, including framing, eye lines, continuity, and adjusting performance for different shot sizes.

    • Self-Tape Audition Techniques: Learn how to create compelling self-tape auditions, including framing, lighting, sound quality, and delivering authentic performances tailored to the camera.

    • On-Set Etiquette and Protocol: Familiarize yourself with the on-set environment, including working with directors, crew members, and fellow actors, and adhering to industry standards and expectations.

    • Ensemble Performance Projects: Offer opportunities for ensemble members to participate in performance projects that showcase their collective creativity and ensemble synergy, such as devised theatre productions, ensemble-based physical performances, or collaborative multimedia projects.

    • Community Engagement Initiatives: Engage with the community through outreach programs, workshops, and performances that highlight the collaborative and inclusive nature of ensemble-based theatre-making, fostering connections and dialogue with diverse audiences.

    • Reflective Feedback and Evaluation: Facilitate post-performance discussions and reflective sessions where ensemble members can share feedback, insights, and reflections on their collaborative experiences, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

    • Offer performance coaching sessions to help actors refine their physical skills, character work, and audition techniques.

    • Provide personalized coaching and feedback on movement choices, gestures, and physical storytelling to enhance performance effectiveness.

    • Offer audition preparation services to help actors develop confidence, presence, and readiness for auditions, callbacks, and performances.

    • Acting for the Stage: Master the techniques specific to live theatrical performances, including stage presence, blocking, projection, and connecting with a live audience.

    • Scene Study Workshops: Dive deep into scene analysis, exploring character relationships, objectives, and beats within the context of stage productions.

    • Live Performance Coaching: Receive personalized coaching on live performances, focusing on maintaining energy, adapting to unexpected circumstances, and building rapport with fellow actors.

    • Stage Combat and Screen Fighting: Gain proficiency in basic stage combat techniques, including unarmed combat, swordplay, and choreographed fight sequences.

      Safety and Coordination: Emphasize safety protocols, partner communication, and precise choreography execution to ensure realistic yet secure fight scenes.

      Emotional Intensity in Combat: Learn how to infuse fight choreography with emotional authenticity, enhancing the dramatic impact of combat scenes.

      On-camera Combat Techniques: Adapt stage combat skills for the screen, considering camera angles, pacing, and continuity for effective storytelling.

  • Dance Labs combines movement with emotional expression to enhance mental and physical health. Through guided dance, you can release stress, improve self-esteem, and foster emotional resilience. Ideal for boosting mood, reducing anxiety, and increasing body awareness, dance therapy offers a dynamic path to personal growth and well-being. Embrace the rhythm of healing today!

    Develop somatic coaching sessions specifically tailored for actors and performers, focusing on techniques to improve body awareness, movement efficiency, and emotional expression.

    Offer somatic exercises and mindfulness practices to help actors connect with their bodies, emotions, and characters on a deeper level.

    Provide guidance on using somatic principles to overcome physical limitations, stage fright, and performance anxiety.

  • As you dive into creative exploration and play, you'll venture into new dimensions, elevating your emotional intelligence, expression, and artistry through the transformative mediums of dance, theatre, and martial arts as well as exploring the medium of film and media.

    In our program, meticulously designed to cultivate a fluid, emotionally intelligent, and expressive body through an interdisciplinary study of movement arts, we place a special emphasis on the art of acting. Acting becomes a potent means for embodying characters, exploring emotions, and conveying narratives and reconnecting with the creativity, plasticity and play.

    Through dynamic exercises in movement analysis, choreography, mime, games, improv, and storytelling, we delve deep into the intricacies of acting. By approaching acting with creativity and collaboration, we provide a space for exploring personal narratives within a broader cultural context. You'll learn to flow with the currents of your breath and body, expressing yourself authentically and fearlessly! Water embodies the fluidity and adaptability of creativity, inviting you to explore the depths of your imagination and bring your artistic vision to life.

    Each element of our program complements and enriches the others, offering a holistic approach to well-being. Join me on this transformative journey and experience the profound impact of the water element in refining your acting skills and nurturing your mind and body.

    • Offer personalized training programs that incorporates physical expression and an embodied approach to creativity.

    • Using the body to explore cross disciplinary art including poetry, music, drawing and painting, crafts, architecture and fashion.

Contact me and receive a free ressource to begin your creative practice today!

Actor training encompasses a holistic journey of self-discovery and artistic growth, integrating Movement Arts and Somatic Education into a comprehensive approach. Through this multidimensional training, actors gain invaluable skills and insights that extend beyond the stage, fostering physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

From martial arts to dance, voice training to mime, and beyond, each element contributes to the actor's toolkit, enhancing their presence, expression, and communication abilities. Physical fitness and athleticism bolster stamina and agility, while text analysis and somatic education deepen intellectual and emotional understanding, enabling nuanced and authentic performances.

This holistic approach not only shapes skilled actors but also nurtures individuals with a profound understanding of themselves and the world around them. It cultivates a harmonious balance between physical prowess, artistic expression, and mental clarity, empowering actors to embody their roles with authenticity, depth, and impact.

  • "Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there."

    — Meryl Streep

  • “Take a deep breath, and tell us your deepest, darkest secret, so we can wipe our brow and know that we’re not alone.”

    -Allan Watts

  • "To me, acting is life; when you travel and adapt to circumstances, that is acting."

    -Ben Hemmer Liu

  • “Some element in the air between us changed, as though a wind that had been blowing gently had come to an abrupt stillness.”

    Tan Twan Eng

  • As actors we have a lot of power on stage, if we hold our breath, so does the audience.

    -Richard Crawford

  • All the world is a stage and all the men and women are merely players.

    William Shakespeare