Course description
If you’re an actor, you probably know this feeling:
You’re reading the text — it seems clear, but inside? Nothing.
You want to feel something, to connect with the character, to grab onto something — but what?
This course is about finding that hook.
I’ll give you a clear, step-by-step method for working on a role using your body, movement, and the Psychological Gesture technique by Michael Chekhov.
You’ll learn how to work on a monologue or scene independently and get tools that support you in any situation — from auditions to rehearsals.
Instructor
Anna Karpukhina | Read bio
Student Level
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Format
The course is conducted in Russian. However, if there are students who do not understand Russian, we will offer real-time English translation during the session.
Lessons
5 Lessons
Date / Time
September 19, 20, 26, 27, 28
6 pm - 9 pm
Location
13243 NE 20th Street, Bellevue, WA
United States, Washington 98005
Registration
Complete the Registration form and make the payment.
What you will get
If you're just starting out:
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Get a clear and simple roadmap for entering a role so you don’t feel lost.
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Start embodying the character through your body, not just the text.
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Let go of control and awaken spontaneity.
If you’re more experienced:
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Break out of patterns and refresh your performance.
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Explore your body in a deeper and more nuanced way.
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Remember that the body is not secondary, but primary.
Program modules
Quality of action
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Why is feeling born out of action and not the other way around
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Fluid reaction to external inputs and continuous transition between states. The principles of seamless play
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Internal action: when stillness is stronger movement
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Mixing "qualities" — how to create dynamic, multi-layered performance
1
Expressiveness of gesture
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Principles of bodily expressiveness: form, content, direction, contrast
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How an internal impulse shapes an external gesture
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Working with props as an extension of the body
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Sensitivity to nuances: how the gaze and hands become carriers of meaning
2
Psychological gesture
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Step-by-step algorithm: from searching for a Psychological Gesture to introducing it into a scene
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Analysis of text through action and internal intention
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Library of active verbs and working with them
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Quick entry into a role — through the body, and not only through analysis
3
Bonus
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Personal analysis and feedback on homework
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Individual work with a psychological gesture in your monologue
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Checklists and visual guides for independent practice
4
Participation requirements
To get the most out of the course, you’ll need the following:
Material for practice
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A memorized poem (about 16–20 lines).
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A monologue you’re currently preparing for an audition or working on in rehearsals.
This will allow you to immediately apply the technique in practice.
Dress code
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Training clothes and soft shoes.
We recommend not wearing everyday clothing, but something specifically chosen for movement.
It’s like switching your body into “work mode” — to tune in and engage fully in the process.
Meet your instructor
Anna Karpukhina
The course is led by Anna Karpukhina — an experienced movement coach and director with over 22 years of work in dramatic theater. She has contributed to more than 35 successful productions as a choreographer and movement director, and has just won the "Outstanding Choreography" award at WSCTA Kaleidoscope festival in Spokane.
“I help actors and directors turn the body into a powerful tool of expression — creating unforgettable performances that speak without words.”
Our students say
Peter
Anna has developed her own approach to teaching and working with actors doing Chekhov’s psychological gesture. It has great clarity, and it's challenging. And within just a few days you find people in class doing these creative, inventive, magnificent pieces. It's pretty darn marvelous.
May 29, 2025
Valerie
I think just the awareness of our entire body communicating something — like, use your feet, use your spine, use everything — that awakening. I'm still not perfect at it yet, but that was a tool that really gave energy to my body. And I feel like if I did that all the time, I would be a great actor.
May 29, 2025
Rizo
I felt it actually reflect somewhere in here, in my chest. It caused me an emotion, was a really fun way to use this work.
May 29, 2025
Paula
The idea that language was part of it was also very fun, just because it gave us expressionality and opportunity to listen — and then listen again in a different language. It gave a little more treat, and a little more opportunity to hear it, see it, and feel it in different ways.
May 29, 2025
Angel
I changed my mind and how I uh feel my acting and the tools that I can use uh to analyze the text uh and the emotions of the characters. The workshop is extremely helpful.
May 29, 2025
Daisy
It was really fun. It was not like scary or hard like I was worried it might be.
May 29, 2025
Nelya
Diving into this acting training reminded me that I’m an actress — and that feels amazing! I’ll be using these tools both in my own work and when teaching my students.
March 17, 2025
Vladimir
The Psychological Gesture changed me forever — now I have several ways to come into rehearsal with a vivid, prepared character. And working with Anya is always a celebration, even if she were teaching physics or the phone book — it would still be a joy!
March 17, 2025
Natalya
Now I have a clear method that helps me understand what to do and how to do it on stage. It’s not just the director giving directions — I can bring my own ideas to the table.
March 17, 2025
Grigoriy
A whole new layer was uncovered — something to feel, lift up, and work through. Anya’s way of teaching is unique, and there was so much to discover!
March 17, 2025
Alexey
I understood how the body connects to emotion — there are actual tools for this, and they really work. With consistent effort, it becomes something you can control and develop.
March 17, 2025