THE SACRED ACTOR WORKSHOP

You made it. That’s fantastic. Welcome.
Alright, come on in. Find a spot for your stuff.
Everybody please put your phones on DO NOT DISTURB ME UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
​And let’s circle up.
​Okay, anybody have butterflies?
​Maybe that little voice going, “What did I just sign up for?”
​Or, “It feels like everybody knows everybody else.”
​That’s completely normal. I’ve got moths swirling around in my belly too.
​New things are a little scary, but they’re also kind of exciting, aren’t they?
​I always love the beginning of things. It’s like a new adventure.
​Look around. You may be strangers now, but who knows, you might meet a lifelong friend, a future collaborator, a partner-in-crime.
​I’ve seen it happen. Some people go on to perform together.
​Some have kids together. Some just try to borrow money from me.
​You really never know.
​What we’re building here together is simple: a space where we support each other, where we don’t judge, where we can be ourselves.
​Where that little ego voice, the one constantly yapping doubts and why-we-shouldn’ts, can quiet down, even just a little.
​Is that easy? No. ​​But there’s no right or wrong way to create or experience. It’s personal. ​​It’s different for each of us. That's fantastic.
​There’s no grading or negative feedback. ​Just gentle awareness, and noticing what comes up.
​So, let’s make an agreement: Yes—And. We build on each other.
​We support one another. We create a space where it’s safe to try things.
​A playground where we can let our guard down, move at our own pace, and have our own moments to shine within the group.
Okay, ​let’s start simple. Take a breath. Hold it. Now let it out slowly.
Good.
Notice how your body feels. Any tension? Soreness? Tiredness?
​You can stay there, or you can shift it. Stretch it. Wake it up. Yawn it out. It's up to you.
​Or maybe you’re just hungry. You can snap into a Slim Jim at the first break.
​Now, let's wiggle.
When I work with kids, I say “wiggle wiggle wiggle” and they go nuts.
​Feel free to go nuts—or not wiggle at all. No rules here. No requirements.
See if you can just enjoy the moment. Allow it to be whatever it is. How does that feel?
​Alright. Let’s go around the circle. Just say your name and whatever you feel like sharing.
​Keep it easy. No pressure. No performing.
Awesome.
​Now let’s get on our feet. Move around the space. Explore. Notice things: colors, objects, temperature, each other.
​Move slowly. Quickly. High. Low. Forward, backward, sideways. (Like a Wonkavator.)
​Notice things. Are there any patterns? You can stay in them, break them, or exaggerate them.
​You have that freedom. There’s no right or wrong. You can’t fail at this.
​What comes up?
​If you catch yourself judging, see if you can let it go—gently.
​We’re all really good at judging ourselves, and then judging ourselves for judging ourselves.
​So just notice. Thoughts. Sensations. Emotions. Whatever shows up is all good.
​You don’t get to do this at work, or standing in line at the post office.
​So let’s enjoy this space where we can move, explore, and play without worrying about getting ostracized… or arrested.
​Keep going. Keep exploring. Keep playing. 
And breathe.
​Alright, let's come back into the circle. 
​So, how did that feel? What came up for you?
​Did you notice that ego voice trying to jump in? Any moments of peace? Frustration? Silliness? Confusion? Joy? Self-consciousness? Inspiration?
Were you wondering who this crazy teacher is? (And if he has any extra Slim Jims?)
​Anything unexpected?
​And if something came up that you want to keep to yourself, that’s okay too.
​It’s all good.
​This is just a tiny taste of what the workshop is about: moving, experiencing, exploring, sharing, laughing, feeling, discovering. Maybe even healing.
​Learning how to let the monkey mind take a back seat for a while.
​Being present. Staying in it—at your pace, with your own energy, in whatever way it shows up for you.
You don’t need experience or training.
You don’t even need to call yourself an actor.
If something in you is saying, “Yeah… this feels right,” trust that.
just include your name & what drew you here.​