Acting coaching

It's not how long you work that matters, but HOW you work!

1:1 coaching sessions with me are designed for actors and performers (both professional and aspiring) who are looking for help with solving challenges related to their craft, need professional guidance in the creative process, and are seeking new inspiration. Thanks to my acting and directing experience, I will be able to respond to your challenges more effeciently.

Do you…

Need help when working on your next role or preparing for an audition, and you lack effective tools?
Feel like you're on your own and not receiving adequate support from the director?
Struggle with aspects of your work, such as evoking authentic emotions, understanding in depth the character you are portraying, maintaining a lively connection with your partner, or remaining spontaneous when performing?
Face stress, lack of confidence, emotional overload, and you can't identify its source or find a solution?
Want to have regular, individually targeted training despite downtime at work?
Or maybe you just need a fresh perspective and new inspiration?

If so, i have the tools to help you.

The acting process does not have to be a heavy duty.

What can i help you with?

Preparing the role

Theater, film, or TV – complex work on a character using reliable methods.

Script analysis

A classical intellectual analysis, or by working with the body and imagination.

Scene work

Monologues, scenes, problematic parts – by offering an individual approach for each challenge.

Preparing for the casting

Prompt and effective tips to work on the character during the audition.

Working with the body

Body awareness, physical expression, physicality of the character.

Freeing the voice

Discovering organic connections between body and voice.

What tools will i use?

During coaching sessions with me, you can expect various techniques selected adequately to your needs and artistic requirements, which I have studied for many years (to check more about my education, go to About me):

Michael Chekhov Technique

A psychophysical technique in which emotions and psychological states are stimulated through physical movement, and imaginary work is a way for building the character (as opposed to using the actor's private experiences, memories, or traumas).

Elements of Stanislavski's System

A methodology that underpins almost all contemporary approaches to acting. Some elements of the system may be questioned, but the ability to use certain elements of it is fundamental for every actor/actress.

Methodology inspired by the work of Jerzy Grotowski

At the root of the work of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards (with whom I collaborated) lies the exploration of the physicality, voice, and energy that can be released from the body. One of the key aspects of this approach is called “physical actions”, which help actors become more organic and alive.

Lucid Body

A technique developed by American actress and director Fay Simpson, combining elements of physical theater, Jungian psychology, and somatic practices (e.g., yoga and breathwork).

Viewpoints

A technique derived from the practice of choreographer Mary Overlie, then further developed and adapted for theatre by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki. It is an improvisational and compositional system that teaches awareness of the body, space, time, and relationships.

Tools from the field of psychology

My pedagogical approach is inspired by the ideas of psychologists such as C.G. Jung and Arnold Mindell, which strongly intertwine and complement acting techniques. All of that is grounded in a deep understanding of the human psyche, discovering the capabilities of the body, and a comprehension of the potential of imagination.

Somatic techniques

Techniques such as Body Mind Centering, or Alexander Technique, help increase body awareness, relaxation, and restore freedom of movement and voice.

Warsztaty z techniki M. Czechowa prowadzone przez Jakuba Margosiaka i Grzegorza Łabudę (w ramach Michael Chekhov Acting Lab)

How am I going to work with you?

Over the past 15 years, I have examined (based on my experience as an actor, director, and teacher) the most effective approaches for acting that bring the best results.

Warsztaty techniki M. Czechowa dla studentów Wydziału Teatru w Bytomiu Tańca Akademii Sztuk Teatralnych w Krakowie - prowadzone przez Jakuba Margosiaka i Grzegorza Łabudę.

Bodywork

I have been exploring bodywork for many years and I can say with conviction that the body knows everything and will act on our behalf if we activate it properly!

Psycho-physical tools

The biggest challenge for actors is usually to integrate the body, emotions, and psyche, and this specific type of training is not usually provided during regular physical courses.

Imaginary work

Imagination, when properly stimulated, is a very powerful tool. I investigated the potential of imagination in performative work, and among others, in my master's thesis and doctoral dissertation.

Work with archetypes

An archetype is both a Jungian term and a set of tools from the Michael Chekhov technique. Jung stated that the human psyche holds within itself primordial patterns common to the entire human species (mother, father, anima, animus, martyr, warrior, etc.). In my experience, the energy of archetypes is powerful and extremely effective on stage. Since, according to Jung, everyone has access to archetypal characters within themselves, all you have to do is discover and awaken them, and invite them on stage.

Work with dream processes

What you dream of can be a source of inspiration or a solution to a problem you are struggling with — you just need to capture it and turn it into action.

Improvisation

It is one of the best ways to liberate oneself from excessive intellectualization and put the body into action. Improvisation gives us freedom, allows us to enjoy what we do, and helps us to discover elements that we would not have come up with during purely intellectual work.

I recommend it wholeheartedly. I will definitely work with Jakub again on other acting projects.

Magdalena Lamparska

film and theatre actress

What always impresses me about working with Jakub is his unique, multi-layered, and empathetic view on a character, his willingness to experiment, and his use of extremely vivid images that stimulate the imagination. Jakub, like a few others, is able to effortlessly combine depth and seriousness with a sense of humor and the courage to fool around.

Dominika Handzlik

actress, M. Chekhov technique teacher

Working with Jakub as part of our rehearsals opened us up to each other, helped us delve deeper into the themes through working on psychological gestures and the sensitivity of the space on stage. Thanks to you, we built fully-fledged characters with a whole range of memories that contribute to the effect the audience can ultimately see during the performance.

Zofia Jastrzębska

film and theatre actress

The workshops led by Jakub Margosiak were a breakthrough during rehearsals for "My version of the truth", dir. by Radek Kotarski at Garnizon Sztuki. Workshops allowed us to find more meaning in the words, deepen the characters, and the relationships between them. Thanks to unusual exercises that engage various areas of human energy, we created vivid family relationships, full of secrets and understatement.

Magdalena Lamparska

film and theatre actress

(…) Jakub Margosiak's Ph.D. dissertation bears the hallmarks of a contemporary, expressive, and useful compendium of contemporary applications of Chekhov's technique. (…) It is a renaissance of his exercises, reflections, and accurate observations. (…) It is an energetic shower that relaxes our tensed professional muscles.

Excerpt from a review of J. Margosiak's doctoral dissertation.

Błażej Peszek, PhD

film and theatre actor

Acting coaching with Jakub helped me find the missing link in my thinking about my character, and at the same time allowed me to put together all the fragments of my earlier work. Jakub has extraordinary intuition as an actor and teacher – he is able to guide an actor in a safe manner, while giving them enormous freedom and encouraging them to trust their instincts and creativity.

Dominika Handzlik

actress, teacher of M. Chekhov's technique

To act is to exist in the unknown—this training made me feel at home in unfamiliarity. Without sharing a common language, we built a shared world of trust, creativity, and laughter. Thanks to Jakub and Gregor, I didn’t just grow as an actor — I found a little family.

Sude Nur Yazıcı

actress from Turkey

Workshops with Jakub improved our acting skills a lot. His training is very dynamic - he turns mistakes into opportunities to teach new things. And more importantly, we have learned a technique to better approach different emotions.

Students from Balleteatro Escola Profissional (Portugal)

What to expect when working with me?

Working with me is not only about methodology, but also about the way I share it. During coaching sessions with me, you will experience qualities that I deeply believe in and I would seek out by myself:

The utmost professionalism
100% of my quality attention on you and your challenges
An individualized approach
A friendly and encouraging atmosphere
Inspiration and fun with acting!

Where there is no pleasure, creativity dies.

Check the testimonies of workshop participants

Workshops on M. Chekhov technique led by Jakub Margosiak and Grzegorz Łabuda (as part of the Michael Chekhov Acting Lab).

Workshops on M. Chekhov technique for students of the Dance Theater Department, Academy of Theater Arts in Bytom - led by Jakub Margosiak and Grzegorz Łabuda.

Workshops on M. Chekhov technique “Transforming Emotions” at the Olga Roriz Company in Lisbon.

What will you gain from coaching sessions?

You will learn new tools and techniques that can solve your problem and help you become a better, more effective actor and performer.
You will acquire a person to accompany you in the creative process and offer individually tailored training and personalized feedback.
You will have a chance to learn safe and creative approach to acting.
You will start trusting your body and imagination, which can guide you in your performance.
You will strengthen your self-esteem, increase your readiness for challenges, and improve your ability to experiment in a safe space.

My experience

Dr Jakub Margosiak – actor, dancer, director, theatre producer. Graduate of the Acting Department of the PWST National Academy of Theatre Arts in Cracow (Poland), and dance theatre studies at Olga Roriz Formation in Lisbon (Portugal). He completed doctoral studies at the Film School in Lodz (Poland) at the Acting Department. Fulbright scholar for researching M. Chekhov technique in the USA. His doctoral dissertation is entitled “Psycho-physicality and imagination in the actors’ and directors’ work – in reference to Michael Chekhov technique”.

Stage experience:
Founder of Living Space Theatre (creator of award-winning performances: “Ferdydurke,” “Jesus Mary, Refugee!,” “Kaj dzias,” “Shapes”). He has performed in shows directed by Katarzyna Minkowska, Krzysztof Popiołek, K.J. Holmes, Isabelle Schad, Thomas Richards, Hege Haagenrud, and others. He has performed in many countries, including the US, China, Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Poland.

Expertise in M. Chekhov technique:
He has been involved in M. Chekhov acting technique since 2018 and is certified as a teacher by Ted Pugh and Fern Sloan. He studied at the Michael Chekhov School in Hudson (USA), as well as completed courses organised by the Michael Chekhov Association, Michael Chekhov Europe, Chekhov Studio Chicago, and Chekhov Studio New York. Founder of the Michael Chekhov Acting Lab.

Teaching experience:
He has conducted workshops among others at: The New School University in New York (USA), School of Fine Arts in Guangzhou (China), Schule für Schauspiel in Hamburg (Germany), Machulski School in Warsaw (Poland), Film School in Lodz (Poland), PWST Academy of Theatre Arts in Bytom (Poland), Balleteatro Escola Profissional in Porto (Portugal), and Busan International Performing Arts Festival (South Korea).

Learn more about me

Book your session

Are you interested in a coaching session with me? Schedule your first meeting by selecting a date and time. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after booking.