THE LUCID BODY

WITH AUSTRALIAS ONLY CERTIFIED LUCID BODY INSTRUCTOR, ROB MAXWELL

“I want to thank you for helping me find Patsey’s heart.” 
 - Lupita Nyong’o, (Oscar Winner, 12 Years a Slave), on working with Fay Simpson, creater of The Lucid Body.

The Lucid Body is a dynamic psychophysical acting technique that gives actors a tangible process for transforming into character, embodying given circumstances, deepening physical listening, and cultivating greater presence on stage and screen.

Rooted in the integration of body and psyche, it begins with practical awareness of the actor’s habitual patterns, allowing these to be recognised, released, and reshaped into new layers of authenticity.

Through its engagement with archetypes, Jungian psychology, and a range of somatic practices including yoga and modern dance, the Lucid Body offers actors a comprehensive framework for character embodiment. It is designed for the actor who seeks greater physical truth, drawing on impulses, history, and emotional architecture that already live in the body, rather than putting on a mask as something separate from themselves.

The workshop culminates in applying the technique to a text of your choice - bringing your discoveries fully to life.

INTENSIVE BREAKDOWN

  • This three-day intensive introduces actors to the core principles of the Lucid Body process, beginning with the actor’s own habitual body as the foundation for transformation.

    Through a series of embodied exercises, participants will recognise their psychophysical patterns while also exploring unfamiliar aspects of self. These discoveries then inform the creation of complex, multidimensional characters. The work also engages with archetypes, using their universal patterns to enrich choices and expand expressive range. We then turn to relationship, examining conflict through gesture, physical metaphor, trust, and active space. This develops physical sensitivity and heightens the actor’s ability to listen in the moment.

    The intensive culminates in the exploration of a piece of text chosen by the actor.

ROB MAXWELL

Rob Maxwell is a voice, movement, and acting teacher based in Sydney. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Voice from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and is a graduate of the Atlantic Acting School in New York City. Rob has taught at leading conservatoires around the world, including Yale School of Drama and Carnegie Mellon University. In Australia, he has worked with institutions such as NIDA, 16th Street Actors Studio, Actors Centre Australia, Sydney Actors School, JMC Academy, and Australian Theatre for Young People.

Rob is the only certified Lucid Body instructor based in Australia. He is passionate about guiding actors towards a deeper psycho-physical understanding of self and character. His approach draws on a rich blend of techniques that encourage a holistic integration of movement, psychology, voice, and imagination.

“Rob Maxwell is a dynamic and charismatic Lucid Body teacher who guides actors into deep psycho-physical exploration, while ensuring they remain grounded and supported throughout the process. His work is both courageous and attentive, creating space for transformation with clarity and care.”

— Fay Simpson, Founder of the Lucid Body

FAY SIMPSON

Fay Simpson has been the Artistic Director and co-founder of Impact Theatre since its creation in 1990. Informed by her work in the rehearsal room, the teaching studio and onstage over the last 20 years, Fay has developed a unique physical training method for the actor called The Lucid Body. She taught at The Yale School of Drama, the New School’s Eugene Lang, Michael Howard Studios, The Studio/NY, Marymount Manhattan College, and at the Actor’s Center. She currently teaches this technique at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU’s Graduate Acting Program, and privately at the Lucid Body House. Fay wrote The Lucid Body: A Guide for the Physical Actor, published in 2008 by Allworth Press. She has a two-year Lucid Body Teacher Training program now in place.

DETAILS

  • November 13th - 15th

    10AM - 5PM

  • $475 (inc GST)

  • Cancellation Policy
    By enrolling in and or/attending a Program or a course, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions:

    Cancellation policy:
    Once a course has commenced no refund or credit note is possible.
    If you miss a class, a credit or refund is not applicable, nor is attending a replacement class.
    If 16th Street needs to cancel a program or course, a full refund, credit or transfer to another course will be offered. We accept no liability for any other costs inclusive of travel.

    Cancellations received up to and including 21 days before the commencement of the masterclass will be eligible for a full refund or credit note.

    If you need to withdraw from a program within 21 days of the commencement of the course you must notify 16th Street in writing. We cannot guarantee a refund, but we will do everything we can with that shorter notice.
    Special circumstances may be considered at the discretion of 16th Street Actors Studio Artistic Director.

  • FAQ's and Policy Information

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