Do you …
- Sometimes feel overwhelmed with self-consciousness
- Struggle to make a presentation in front of a group
- Limit pursuing your interests or sharing your ideas because of fear or self-judgment
Through Method-style acting exercises we learn the process of changing patterns of behaviour that keep an actor or anyone in a limited range of self-expression. Through thoughtful discussions we work to understand how some habits we’ve developed to ‘protect’ ourselves can actually work against us.
Creating a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable, even those who feel overwhelmed by shyness, we move step-by-step into exercises that focus on the process of accessing self-expression with freedom.
Supernaturally Shy Intro
The Supernaturally Shy Intro is a four-week course introducing the techniques and exercises we use to overcome shyness.
Cost:
$190 + GST
4 weeks
Tuesdays
7pm – 9pm
March 17 – Apr 7, 2020
REGISTER
Supershy Foundations
A four-week course that acts as a bridge between the Supernaturally Shy Intro and our regular Foundations program, or, it can serve solely as weekly practice in gaining strength and confidence in this work.
Prerequisites: Supernaturally Shy Intro
Wednesdays
6pm – 8pm
Nov 13 – Dec 4, 2019
REGISTER
Want to talk to us? Write us or schedule a phone call
Testimonials
I just wanted to say thank you again for holding a wonderful and safe space that allows people to wade through such difficult emotions.
Many years ago I did one [public speaking] class and hated it and never tried again. I often wished since then that some kind of magical world existed where I could try a form of speaking or performing while having a positive voice somehow override my internal negative and terrified one… well you are providing exactly that magical environment! The way you verbally support each person while they are on stage is incredible. I think these classes are priceless and will have a positive impact on all aspects of life… truly life transforming!
I had not foreseen that the program was going to be that interesting and the experience so profound and rewarding.
My internal life is so changed, my mind puzzles are beginning to unravel, the fog and confusion are not so extreme and I can meet the eyes of another person.This is solely because of the safe place and guidance you have provided. You can imagine that saying thank you seems inadequate, but THANK YOU.
As a kid and young adult I was very open, sensitive, and intuitive; over time and through relationships with people who I let use the very best of those qualities to their advantage and my disadvantage, I built up a protective wall around my heart. I’ve been living with a mild unhappiness and restlessness for a number of years and recently it’s become physically uncomfortable, and at times painful, to live like this. I carry a heaviness in my chest and experience an intermittent blockage in my throat – I believe that both symptoms are physical manifestations of my choice to close down something in me that wants to make itself known.
I went to Actorium have absolutely no idea what to expect, no preconceptions about what might happen or how I might feel. Over the 4 weeks I felt my eyes and heart open, the heaviness I carry in my chest loosen. Little epiphanies throughout the weeks started to release some of the tangles in my mind, and I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time.
I am so happy with my progress! You have no idea. I was feeling so stuck behind that block that it was really testing my ambition and resiliency because I was feeling really powerless to change. I don’t know how it happened other than just breaking that part open and just allowing myself to be imperfect and where I am at… slowly. Though I still feel a certain trepidation over being really seen, I feel I can much more easily sit and be honest with that feeling of un-comfortability.
It is a surreal experience for me being in your acting classes. I have lived my life inside a sort of straight jacket and blindfolded. I have known something was very wrong but I did not know how to help myself.
I could not explain how this is working but over the last six months I have felt a loosening from what binds me, which is such an incredible relief. I can not emphasize enough how limited I have been due to my fears and my thought processes…
I am so deeply thankful for this painful and joyful process. I am sorry so much time has past in my life, but thankful there is some left.
I have always been terrified of public speaking and have never even in my dreams wished to be in the limelight on any stage. The thought of taking acting lessons would have never occurred to me. But I was introduced to this idea in such an intriguing way. Michelle said this class was a safe place for those who wanted a chance to tiptoe out into the spotlight and thus to explore hidden facets of their essence and personality. I’ve always been rather inhibited and not-quite-the-real-me in my range of expression in social settings so I thought this would be a potentially fun and cheap way to expand my range, as compared to say, sitting weekly on a therapists’ couch for months on end. Well it’s only been four classes so far but holy moly! I could not have guessed how eye-opening and personally rewarding this experience would be for my inner development and self-knowledge. Not only do I feel I have a better window to my authentic self (and what could possibly be more precious than that) but I also feel like I really have an inner eye and empathetic understanding of my fellow classmates which in so few hours with strangers is really incredible. I would urge anyone who resonates with me to try this course. Very highly recommended.
I took the Acting for the Supernaturally Shy class, not knowing what to expect and feeling quite nervous about it. Shyness is something that still grabs me by the throat and tells me that I should just stay home, that I’ll be safer that way. I’m very glad that I didn’t listen to my fear. I took the class and it was fantastic. As an unexpected benefit, the experience made me realize that maybe there’s an actor inside of me, suppressed but struggling to emerge.
Now, I’m enrolled i Foundations. I didn’t foresee that I would take another course, and likely more to come. I don’t know where this will lead, but the training has been inspiring, challenging, empowering, confidence-building, and enriching. I have no regrets that I took the risk.