AUTUMN 2024 MENTORSHIP
photo by: Geoffrey Posada Serguier
13 - 20 OCTOBER 2024 | CRETE
A 6-DAY MENTORSHIP FOR 8 PROFESSIONAL ACTORS
MENTORSHIP RESIDENCY
Facilitated by
Yorgos Karamalegos
Join us for another exhilarating journey into the wilderness of the body.
What to expect: practicing mindful presence, grounding and de-conditioning techniques, physical improvisation with live percussion, walks and training in nature, meditation, working outdoors, sun, sea, and, of course, delicious Cretan cuisine.
We are delighted to offer this residency to 8 professional actors. This will be a wonderful, personalised opportunity to work intimately with Lab founder, Yorgos Karamalegos, and further grow your skill as a performer.
THE WORK
Through a supportive environment, we will share embodiment techniques as invaluable tools for cultivating presence and shedding societal influences.
For this residency, our focus will be on shedding acting habits that have been deeply ingrained through social and cultural conditioning.
As part of this goal we are introducing the Mentorship part of the residency, and we are excited to offer exclusive lectures and Q&A sessions that delve deeper into the key themes of presence, deconditioning, and individual habits. These sessions are designed to offer deep insights into the nuances of presence, and learn effective strategies to transform individual acting habits.
The ultimate goal of this retreat is to delve into a performing state where your body, mind (both conscious and subconscious), emotions, and instincts converge harmoniously. Together, we will navigate the intricacies of the present moment, unlocking a dynamic and authentic expression that transcends traditional acting norms.
Embrace this opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals, fostering a collective journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery.
DISCOVER ANEW
Photo: Geoffrey Posada Serguier
How can I build a defining career?
With so many actors, how can I stand out at my next audition?
Can I find more presence in my performances?
We will answer all these questions and more in the following chapters of this Masterclass
CHAPTER I
Career coaching & action planning
Work with Yorgos to identify your strengths, areas for improvement, and career goals. From there, you will create a personalized action plan to help you achieve your objectives, including developing a strong personal brand, identifying your unique selling points, and creating a standout resume and portfolio. He'll also help you develop strategies for networking, auditioning, and landing roles.
CHAPTER II
Casting
This chapter prepares you to be casting ready, providing exercises to help you improve your audition skills and increase your chances of landing roles.
CHAPTER III
Career
therapy
This chapter helps you build the mental resilience and emotional strength you need to thrive as an artist. Yorgos works with you to resolve any recurring issues or mental patterns that may be hindering your progress on stage, in rehearsals, or on set. He'll help you develop coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety, and will provide a safe and supportive space for you to work through any emotional blocks or challenges you may be experiencing.
FIND AUTHENTICITY
photo by: Geoffrey Posada Serguier
MENTORSHIP DETAILS
The residency will be limited to 8 professional actors and will take place over a 6-day period.
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Venue
Armonia Retreat Centre​
Crete, Greece
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Workshop Dates
14 - 19 October 2024
10am - 5pm
(some days may extend into the evening)
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Travel Dates
13 October (arrival) | 20 October (departure)
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Price
£1160 Standard price
£1130 Labber price*
A NOTE ON PRICING
The price includes: space and accommodation, workshop fee, and a welcome basket of Cretan food to get you through the first day. For those who wish to find alternative accommodation, as the cost of accommodation is included with the rental fee for the performance space, it cannot be subtracted from the total cost. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we appreciate your understanding.
CANCELLATION POLICY
We have a cancellation policy of three weeks prior to the start of the Lab for short workshops and one calendar month for residencies. After this, we cannot offer refunds unless another participant can be found to take the place.
DAILY SCHEDULE
DAY 1- Monday: Foundations & Intentions
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Morning
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Lecture on Presence, Embodiment & Deconditioning in nature
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Goal & intention setting for the intensive
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Afternoon
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​Embodiment training with ensemble work
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Evening
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Complimentary welcome dinner
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DAY 2 - Tuesday: Voice, Ownership & Deconditioning
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Morning
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Voice & Embodiment training
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Text embodiment (Ownership exercise)
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Afternoon
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One-on-one Deconditioning Sessions for each actor
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Evening
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Career Mentorship Session at the Beach
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DAY 3 - Wednesday: Presence as a Tool for Acting
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Morning
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Utilising Presence as an acting tool
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Afternoon
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Mid-length Individual Session on Presence in Performance
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Evening
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Yoga session with Stella Kremmyda
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DAY 4 - Thursday: Therapeutic Embodiment
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Full Day
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Therapeutic Embodiment masterclass with Natalia Partheniou
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Evening
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Integration Time/Sauna/Beach
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DAY 5 - Friday: Progress & Embodied Acting 1
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Morning
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Q&A Session - progress evaluation in nature
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Embodiment training
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Afternoon
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Embodied Acting Part 1: Half of the group in extended personalised, one-on-one sessions
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DAY 6 - Saturday: Application & Embodied Acting 2
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Morning
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Actors apply tools for the day's preparation
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Embodied Acting Part 2 - the second half of the group in extended personalised one-on-one sessions
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Afternoon
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Inquiry Session for Post-Workshop Research Questions
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Evening
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Swim/Closing Celebration/Dinner
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NOTE
The schedule is subject to change based on the group's dynamic and progress.
This Residency demands your wholehearted commitment.
Make the most out of this experience by arriving well-rested and allowing time for integration post-retreat.
PRE-PROGRAMME
PREPARATION
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Ease into the experience with a few restful days before and after your arrival.
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Consider an early arrival in Crete for a smoother transition.
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Opt for a private session—online or in person—before the retreat to tailor your experience.
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Bring an exciting and challenging monologue or duologue of your choice for practice.
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Ensure that you are off-book upon your arrival.
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Share your chosen scene with Yorgos via email at least a week before the program starts.
POST-PROGRAMME
INTEGRATION
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As the program concludes, we recommend easing back into your routine with some integration time.
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Consider staying in Crete for a bit longer to fully absorb and apply the transformative tools and experiences gained during the intensive program.
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Allow yourself the space to reflect on the journey and ensure a smooth transition back into your daily life.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
Natalia Partheniou
Natalia Partheniou is a multifaceted individual with a background in Contemporary Dance and English Literature from De Montfort University and training in New Dance, Choreography, and Improvisation at the Amsterdam Academy of the Arts. She is a certified Yoga teacher, skilled in Ayurvedic, Thai Massage, and Reiki. Over the past two decades, she immersed herself in Holistic Psychotherapy at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in Austria, followed by a two-year Advanced Studies in Facilitation. Throughout her 20-year journey, Natalia has been dedicated to personal growth and has actively contributed to the fields of Healing, Spiritual Awakening, Dance, and Embodiment. Her diverse expertise includes dance, choreography, teaching, individual and couple sessions, and group workshops across Greece and Europe.
Dimos Pavlikakis
Dimos embarked on his Yoga journey in 2017 to address persistent pain and injuries, turning it into a transformative lifestyle. A Yoga Alliance UK member, he completed the 200h TTC of Heliodorus Yoga, a Mindfulness Meditation program, and studied Ayurveda in India. Delving into human anatomy, he finished a 60h Authentic Traditional Yoga Massage course and a 2-year Physiotherapy program. His practice extends to Energy Healing through Tibetan Pulsing Healing and Falun Dafa. With a personalized approach rooted in Eastern Healing Philosophy, he teaches and practices in Chania's Stavros beach, and explores the Himalayan mountains, constantly seeking ancient teachings to deepen his understanding of the body's healing potential.
Stella Kremmyda
Stella is a yoga teacher and qualified dietitian-nutritionist who has developed an intuitive approach to open the body and explore deeper levels of existence. Starting her Yoga journey in 2007 at the Yoga Sanctuary in the UK, she was inspired by her teacher Steve Harrison. Stella, with a doctorate in nutritional immunology and fetal development, returned to Crete in 2013, founding ZenZem yoga center in Aptera. She shares 'Living Yoga method' inspired practices, blending influences from her travels in India, Nepal, and Europe. Stella's interests include nature connection, mantra chanting, kirtan singing, women's circles, and spending time with her daughter.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Accommodation is included in the price of the residency, and rooms are located on-site at the Armonia Retreat Centre in Douliana, Crete. Rooms are offered as a double, triple, or for four people, so you will be sharing a room with other actors, which we can help organise.
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AMENITIES
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65 square metre studio with wooden floor
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Exterior wooden deck in the middle of an ancient olive grove
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Gym & Swimming Pool
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Well-equipped, brand new kitchen
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Four acres of enchanting outdoor space that has: lawn, a vineyard that you can simply pick and eat grapes in the summer, a large spice garden for guest use, an outside pizza oven, a huge dining table, and seating areas
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ROOMS
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Armonia offers 5 spacious rooms that can host between 2-4 people. The outline for each room is as follows:
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Room 1 – Private bedroom w/ private bathroom (non-ensuite)
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Room 2 – 2 bed with bathroom
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Room 3 – 3 bed with bathroom
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Room 4 – 4 beds with bathroom
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Room 5 – 4 beds with bathroom
ARMONIA RETREAT CENTRE
ARMONIA RETREAT CENTRE
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
(not included in cost & must be booked separately)
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Around the center, there are villas where you can sleep in double or private rooms.The price is approximately 100-200€ per night for a three-room villa. Pricing varies depending on the season and availability. All villas have pools.
Another accommodation complex is a 3-minute walk from the centre, and has rooms for 40€ a night. For further details on alternative accommodation, please inquire with Stella, the residency manager.
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CLEANING ARRANGEMENTS
(for Armonia Retreat Centre only)
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Cleaning arrangements of the Armonia property are included in the cost of the residency. Details are as follows:
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A cleaning person will be onsite every day for 2 hours
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Bed sheets will be changed once a week
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Rooms and bathrooms will be cleaned every 2 days
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TRAVEL
(booked separately; not included in residency pricing)
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Crete has two airports: Chania (30 minutes by car) and Heraklion (2 hours by car), which is just over an hour's drive to Douliana and the Armonia Retreat Centre.
APPLY NOW
DEADLINE
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There is no application deadline, but if your application is suitable, a place will be offered immediately. Please not that places for all Labs, especially our Summer Residency, are limited. Therefore, it is encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.