Presence

Presence

A practical weekend course in attention, connection, and being present.

Presence is an experiential class for actors and non-actors. Drawn from professional actor training and creative and contemplative practice, it offers a calm, structured space to notice how you listen, respond, and connect—moment to moment.

No performance. No pressure. No acting experience required.

Choose One Fall 2026 Session

• September 12–13 · Saturday and Sunday, 3–6 p.m.
• October 17–18 · Saturday and Sunday, 3–6 p.m.

These are two standalone weekend classes. Choose the weekend that works best for you.

$99 + HST

What This Is

At the heart of the course are practical exercises used in actor training to develop focus, responsiveness, and genuine presence. You will work with attention rather than trying to manufacture a result.

The work encourages you to:

• pay closer attention
• listen and respond honestly
• let go of overthinking
• feel more at ease with yourself and others
• become more available in conversation, performance, and daily life

Who It’s For

Open to actors and non-actors. It is especially useful for people curious about presence and awareness, those who feel self-conscious or stuck in their heads, and actors who want to reconnect with the fundamentals of truthful attention and response.

What to Expect

• A relaxed, supportive environment
• Simple, guided exercises
• Partner and group work
• No memorization and no prepared performance

Location

Church of the Holy Saviour
33 Allen St E, Waterloo

Parking is available. The accessible entrance is at the back of the building.

Instructor

Paul Hopkins

Paul Hopkins holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Guelph and has more than 35 years of experience as an actor, director, and teacher. His work explores presence through actor training, creative practice, and contemplative traditions of attention.

This is not about becoming someone new.
It is about returning to something simple: attention, connection, and being present in the moment.

Choose your Fall session below. Spaces are limited.