Acting coaching for a play or film
I help ensure that the director's work with the actors is as effective and high-quality as possible.
The offer is addressed to directors and institutions seeking substantive support in working with actors in the process of creating a play, film, etc. My acting coaching facilitates communication between the director and actors and provides the relevant tools and acting techniques for the artistic challenges and needs of both the director and the actors.
while working do you...
- Feel that your rehearsals are not effective enough and that you are losing time?
- Have communication problems among your ensemble, or you lack the tools to guide your actors?
- Your actors struggle with aspects of their work, such as evoking authentic emotions, understanding in depth the character they are portraying, maintaining a lively connection with a partner, or remaining spontaneous when performing?
- Actors are facing stress, lack of confidence, emotional overload, and you can't identify its source or find a solution?
- Or maybe you just need a fresh perspective and new inspiration?
If so, I have the tools and experience to solve such challenges.
The acting process does not have to be a heavy duty.
How exactly can i help you?
Preparing the role
Theatre, film, TV series — deepening relationships between characters, finding the Through-Line of dramatic action.
Script analysis
A classical intellectual analysis, or through working with the body and imagination.
Scene work
Monologues, scenes, problematic parts – by offering an individual approach for each challenge.
Working on physicality
Finding the organic movement of the character and its physical expression.
Building an atmosphere
Working on creating the atmosphere — both on stage and during rehearsals.
Communication
Translating the director's vision into acting language and selecting the right methodology for achieving it.
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 your actors?
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
Thanks to the partnering exercises, I was able to better understand what it means to “put yourself in someone else's shoes,” abandon stubborn beliefs about “yourself,” and consider what lies at the root of other people's behavior. During these exercises, everyone can better comprehend their relationships with others and develop communication skills.
Muyang Sanshi
Workshop participant
I met Jakub 8 years ago when I invited him to lead a body consciousness workshop at the BWA Contemporary Art Gallery in Katowice, where I work. Already at that time, I was impressed by his professionalism, unconventional working methods, sensitivity, and ability to create a safe, open space for creative work.
Aneta Zasucha
Educator, art therapist
The workshops were a space for openness and mutual inspiration. There was room for attentiveness and silence, but also for fun and creative playfulness. The body became our common language — a tool for individual expression.
Zuzanna Łapka
Art therapis, performer
The workshops freed me from work-related tension, allowing me to fully surrender to the exercises without any distractions, which gave me a sense of liberation and reconnection with myself.
Muyang Sanshi
Workshops participant
He is able to listen with full engagement, empathize, and build an atmosphere that encourages collaboration and creative growth. He offers others space to express themselves and builds trust and openness. When working with Jakub, one gets the sense that he genuinely cares about the quality of relationships and the shared process — not just the outcome.
Aneta Zasucha
Educator, art therapist
Workshops were conducted at a high level of knowledge and skill. Professionalism in every aspect. The individual approach to each participant, with sensitivity and attentiveness, deserves special mention. I highly recommend it.
Irena Borek
Workshops participant, psychoterapist
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!
The lack of a common language between artists and adequate tools prevents us from achieving the desired results.
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 are the benefits of my coaching for directors?
- Professional assistance in guiding actors and implementing the director's artistic vision.
- Solving acting challenges appearing in the creative process.
- Creating characters, scenes, and texts that arise from improvisations (it is often a ready-made material to use in a performance).
- During my coaching, the director has the opportunity to get to know better the actors — their personalities, ways of thinking, energy, openness, resistance, connection with their bodies, individual potential, and group dynamics.
- An opportunity for the director to make casting choices, develop strategies for further work, and get inspired.
What are the benefits of my coaching for actors?
- Effective tools for acting – from script analysis, through building character, partner work, to solving individual problems and overcoming blockages.
- Activating the physicality of the actors and theirs trust in the body.
- Creating an encouraging work atmosphere and redefining the relationships within the group.
- Unleashing creative potential and the playfulness in acting.
- Support in finding nonviolent means of communication.
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).
Detailed information about coaching:
Coaching of the entire creative process
In this setup, I am present from the beginning to the end of rehearsals, and I am consistently guiding the actors according to the director’s vision, making sure the whole creative process is coherent and methodical.
The frequency, timing, and scope of my work with actors is negotiable and depend on specific needs.
3-day coaching
This is a form of emergency assistance in a situation of crisis during the creative process, e.g., tension between the director and actors that significantly hinders work, a challenging acting scene, difficulty in deepening the relationship between characters, or any other acting problem.
In my experience, 3 days of coaching (at least 3 hours per day) is the minimum amount of time needed for:
- Identifying the problem.
- Selecting and teaching the tools.
- Applying tools to creative material and developing it further.
Are you interested in my coaching?
If you are interested in collaborating with me as a coach for your project, please schedule a free consultation with me to learn more.
schedule a free consultation
The details of the collaboration are arranged on an individual basis.
Do you have qeustions?
Please contact me by email, phone, or through the contact form below.