Presence in Acting

PARIS

WITH Yorgos Karamalegos
12 September 2026

Discover presence and its embodiment as an essential tool for authentic expression, and learn how to bring this fully into your own performance.

About the workshop

I do not believe there is one acting technique that works for everyone. Every actor is a unique ecosystem. My role is not to fit actors into a predefined method, but to help them understand how they are uniquely built, how they function, and to discover and fully realise their own authentic way into performance and expression. The result is not a borrowed method, but an acting technique that emerges from their own nature—entirely their own way of working. — Yorgos Karamalegos

Please note that this Lab will be conducted in English.

Itinerary

A one-day workshop led by Yorgos Karamalegos, founder of Physical Lab, dedicated to cultivating presence and authenticity in performance.

The workshop explores the mechanics of presence as a practical and embodied route into truthful performance.

Through guided reflection, embodied training and scene work, participants will develop a deeper awareness of their own way into acting—a foundational element of the Lab’s work. They will cultivate greater presence, responsiveness and authenticity, while developing an acting technique that emerges from their own nature rather than from imitation or habit.

The Studio

Tapis Volant est un studio de mouvement lumineux et chaleureux situé à Pantin, aux portes de Paris. Conçu comme un espace calme et inspirant, il est dédié aux pratiques somatiques telles que la danse, le yoga et l’exploration du corps. Le lieu dispose d’une grande salle de pratique équipée, favorisant l’apprentissage, la créativité et la recherche corporelle. Pensé comme un espace « suspendu » au-dessus de la ville, il invite chacun à explorer le mouvement, affiner sa conscience corporelle et développer sa créativité.

Description du studio et photos © TAPIS VOLANT.

Grants & Funding

Many Lab participants have secured partial or full funding through arts grants, and we are happy to provide any documentation needed to support your application. Standard materials commonly required for grant submissions can be found on our Lab Pricing & Funding page. Please contact us should you need anything further.

We encourage you to apply even if funding has not yet been confirmed.

Preparing for a Lab

For our short courses, participants are asked to prepare and learn a single piece of text. This helps you fully engage with our Lab methodology and explore how text can be embodied and emotionally expressed. You’re welcome to work solo or with a partner, in any language you’re most comfortable with.

If you’re unsure of what to choose, please feel free to browse our library of suggested text. For full details and guidance, please visit: Preparing for a Lab.

Yorgos Karamalegos

Yorgos Karamalegos

Founder & Artistic Director

Yorgos guides performers and professionals toward deep physical and mental awareness, emphasizing presence as a path to personal and professional freedom. His body-focused approach aims to use deconditioning as a tool to uncover authenticity.

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Yorgos Karamalegos speaking to an actor in the studio, one arm outstretched.

Cancellation Policy

We have a cancellation policy of three weeks prior to the start of the Lab for short workshops. After this, we cannot offer refunds unless another participant can be found to take the place.

WHAT OUR LABBERS ARE SAYING

Upcoming Labs

Alex Crockford & Yorgos Karamalegos
London

Fitness & Embodiment Workout

26 Jul – 26 Jul 2026
Siobhan Davies Studios

A 2.5-hour Fitness & Embodiment workshop in London blending strength training with embodied movement, breathwork, and meditation. Inspired by the Fitness & Embodiment Retreat in Crete, it offers a powerful introduction to integrating body awareness with effective training. The session concludes with reflection and Q&A, leaving participants feeling energised, grounded, and more connected to their bodies.


Yorgos in a studio, demonstrating with his arms stretched wide
TALLINN

Presence in Acting | Tallinn

11 Aug – 13 Aug 2026
Eesti Noorsooteater

We're returning to Tallinn for our second Lab of the year, invited by EFTA-winning actress Doris Tilk. This immersive three-day workshop is dedicated to cultivating presence and authenticity in performance — a journey toward uncovering your most authentic self and embodying a free, uninhibited artistic spirit. Through embodiment practices, we explore how the body serves as a gateway to deeper awareness, expression, and connection on stage. Working directly with text as a living partner, artists are guided by the tasting principle to stay curious, experiment, and remain open to what emerges in the moment.


Alex Crockford sitting on a yoga mat in studio, looking left of camera and smiling
Crete

Fitness & Embodiment Retreat | Sept 2026

01 Sep – 08 Sep 2026
Armonia Retreat Center

Our September 2026 retreat honors the standing tradition with Alex & Yorgos returning for the fourth consecutive year. Through fitness workshops and embodiment practices, participants cultivate greater presence, awareness, and more intentional communication in movement and daily life. Each day blends physical training, reflection, and meaningful connection. Meals and accommodation are included, with time for excursions to the beach and nearby local hotspots. The retreat offers practical tools and moments of renewal that extend well beyond the experience.