6-week coursePresense & Play
Actor-Based Embodied Presence Training for Authentic Human Interaction
6-week coursePresense & Play
Presence & Play is a 6-week course designed to help you reconnect with your body, your attention, and the present moment. Using actor training practices such as movement, voice work, and simple improvisation, participants learn to step out of their heads and into direct experience.
Before learning to ride the wave of spontaneity, you learn how to stand on the surfboard — grounded, aware, and present.
The Situation:
Many of us have learned to rely on preparation and control. Instead of being present, we start performing a version of ourselves. But real connection happens when the body, emotions, and attention are aligned.
You might recognize yourself here:
• constant self-analysis and overthinking
• fear of saying the wrong thing
• difficulty reacting spontaneously
• tension in the body during conversations or presentations
• social anxiety or emotional distance
• having ideas but struggling to express them under attention
The Practices:
Actors are trained to stay present, responsive, and emotionally available even in unpredictable situations. We adapt play-based actor training practices for everyday life. The goal isn’t to perform better — it’s to help you stay grounded, connected, and fully alive in the moment.
In this course we practice the same foundations through:
• body awareness and grounding exercises
• voice and breathing work to regulate the nervous system
• improvisation and spontaneous interaction
• attention and listening training
• partner and group exercises that build trust and authentic contact
• emotional state work through physical action
What to expect
The course unfolds over three stages.
FROM HEAD TO BODY
Here we establish psychological safety and begin shifting attention from constant thinking to physical awareness.
BODY AS INSTRUMENT
Here we explore how the body shapes communication and emotional states.
FROM TECHNIQUE TO AUTHENTICITY
The final presentation is not an exam — it is a celebration of the journey and the transformation that has taken place.
What you’ll experience
Embodied Presence
Shift from mental control to physical awareness and live attention.
A deeper connection with the body and the ability to stay grounded in the present moment.
Freedom from Overthinking
Move from constant analysis to natural response.
Less internal monitoring and greater trust in natural responses.
Authentic Human Connection
Shift from social performance to real contact with others.
More ease in meeting people, listening, and interacting without performing a role.
Aliveness & Personal Discovery
Shift from habitual patterns to curiosity, creative energy, and self-discovery. A renewed sense of curiosity, creativity, and connection with oneself.
Inside the program
What Participants Say
Program instructors:
Igor Kliuchnyk
Lead Instructor, Founder of Tisto Studio NYC
Igor Kliuchnyk
Lead Instructor, Founder of Tisto Studio NY
Co-founder of Beautiful Flowers Theatre and NAFTA Theatre, Kharkiv
Co-founder of TISTO School (Ukraine) - 1,000+ graduates and 20+ original training programs
Co-founder of the humanitarian foundation Rescue Now (since 2022)
TEDx speaker · Co-founder of Parade Fest International Theater Festival
15+ years working at the intersection of theater, education, and leadership, building and leading teams of 200+ people using theater-based methods.
Igor Kliuchnyk
Actor · Facilitator · Juilliard MFA
Igor Kliuchnyk
Ukrainian actor working internationally across film, television, and theater.
30+ screen and stage projects · 10+ years of international acting training
Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Prize in Acting (2024)
Mriia Vanieva
Actor · Acting Teacher · ICF-Certified Team Coach
Mriia Vanieva
30 years of theater and performance practice · Actress of Kharkiv State Academic Drama Theatre (2017-2022)
Teaching experience in Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts, Berlin
Co-creator of TISTO School in Ukraine · 3,000+ hours facilitating acting and embodied training
Olha Krivocheeva
Actor · Educator · Business Coach · PhD (Pedagogy)
Olha Krivocheeva
9 years of professional stage experience · 10 years teaching at leading arts institutions in Ukraine and Germany
Author of the Flow-Vision Coaching Method · 1,000+ workshops and masterclasses
F.A.Q.
How do I find a therapist and start therapy?
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How do I find a therapist and start therapy?
Take a quick test on the platform and get a list of therapists who are the best fit for you. You can view their profiles, choose the one you like, check their schedule, and book a convenient time.
How do I find a therapist and start therapy?
Take a quick test on the platform and get a list of therapists who are the best fit for you. You can view their profiles, choose the one you like, check their schedule, and book a convenient time.
Commitment& Details
Start March 24 → April 21
Thursdays, 7-9:30 pm
Session Length: 2 hours
Held: English
What to bring: Comfortable clothing and an open mind
Location: [City / Studio Name / Address]
Investment: $480
Format: Hybrid: In-Person sessions & Online webinars
Commitment: Full 6-week enrollment (no drop-ins)
Experience Level: Open to All (No prior experience required)
Group size: Group of max 18 participants
ProgramSchedule
March 12, Tuesday (In-Person)
March 19, Tuesday (In-Person)
March 25, Tuesday (In-Person)
April 2, Tuesday (In-Person)
April 9, Saturday (Online Webinars)
April 16, Tuesday (In-Person)
March 26, Saturday (Online Webinars)
April 27, Tuesday (In-Person)