Acting Laboratory for (Non-)Actors: Season 2 — Vaba Lava Narva

If you have long felt that you keep yourself “within limits”—staying silent at meetings when you want to speak, rehearsing a phrase in your head ten times before saying it, or simply being tired of the feeling that there is a voice inside you that you do not allow to be heard—this program is for you. It is not for those dreaming of an acting career, but for those who want to reclaim their body, voice and confidence in any setting: at work, at home or on stage.

14 sessions. No acting experience is required. There are no age restrictions—the program is equally suitable at 23 and at 55. The finale is not an open class in a studio, but a performance on the professional stage of Vaba Lava theatre in Narva, with lighting, sound, photography and video recording.

Why this program

Most acting courses for adults are built around the idea of “relaxing” and “finding yourself.” Our laboratory works differently, using a methodology based on Brecht’s theatre. We are not looking for our “true selves”—we learn to consciously manage the social masks that each of us already wears every day. We do not promise comfort—we work through productive discomfort, because that is where real change takes place. We are not embarrassed by social awkwardness on the stage—we move through it as part of the training, not as a failure. And we do not look for easy tricks—we work toward results through repetition and practice, as professional actors do.

This is an officially registered continuing education program in EHIS. Upon completing the course, you receive a state certificate, and you can also reclaim 22% of the tuition fee through a tax return (MTA).

The laboratory program

The course is structured as a gradual progression—from the first overcoming of the fear of stepping into the circle of attention to a full performance on a professional stage.

The first part of the program focuses on the basics without which it is impossible to move forward: releasing physical tension, working with the voice and breathing, and building trust within the group (ensemble), in which you will work throughout all 14 sessions. This is the stage at which the main fear disappears—the fear of being the centre of attention.

The second part involves working with text and dramatic material: analysis, experimentation and finding your own way of speaking someone else’s words so that they sound truthful. Physical action is also added to the training here—the body and voice begin to work as one, rather than separately.

The final part consists of three days of intensive rehearsals on the professional stage of Vaba Lava (6–8 hours each), where the studies, scenes and all the course material are assembled into a cohesive performance. The course concludes with a public showing on 24 November at 19:00—you will go on stage in front of an audience, with professional lighting and sound, a photographer and a videographer in the auditorium.

The full program, broken down by each of the 14 sessions, can be viewed at born2act.eu/actinglabadults, where the logic of each stage is also described in detail.

Who leads the laboratory

The course is led by Vlad Robinson—an actor in theatre and film, teacher and founder of BORN2ACT. He was born in Narva in 1996 and graduated from the Saint Petersburg State Institute of Film and Television. He appeared in the films “REETUR” and “Dawn of War,” teaches at a theatre school in Tallinn, and in 2025 served as producer of the documentary film “STIGMA.”

The laboratory’s second season continues the work begun with the first cohort, following the same principles and the same demanding yet considerate approach to each participant, regardless of their level of preparation.

What is included in the price

• 15 classes and rehearsals (from 3 to 6–8 hours each)
• Final performance on the professional stage of Vaba Lava with full lighting and sound
• Professional photography and video recording of the showing
• Certificate in the prescribed format (EHIS)
• Access to the group chat and course learning materials throughout the training
• Joint viewing of the filmed performance—a month after the showing

Price and instalments

Discounts are available when purchasing through the official website, born2act.eu.

Trial class (3 hours)—€35.89. A good way to get to know the method and the group before deciding whether to participate in the full course. (On the website born2act.eu/actinglabadults.)

Full course—€561.86 when paid by 10 September. From 10 September, the price will be €575.50—by registering in advance, you pay less for the same program.

Three-month instalment plan—€185 per month. Payment is divided into three equal instalments with no additional charge. (Available only on born2act.eu/actinglabadults.)

Financing through ESTO—from €15 per month, for a period of 3 to 36 months. Suitable for those who want to spread out the payments and plan expenses more flexibly. (Available only on born2act.eu/actinglabadults.)

22% tax deduction. The course is officially registered as a continuing education program in EHIS, so part of the cost can be reclaimed through a tax return (MTA) in the following tax period.

Schedule

The cohort starts on 14 September at 19:00. The main classes take place on Mondays from 19:00 to 22:00, from 14 September to 16 November.

Intensive stage rehearsals—21, 22 and 23 November (6–8 hours each).

Final public showing—24 November at 19:00, Vaba Lava, Linda tn 2, Narva.

The program is intended for participants aged 18 and over. The full schedule with dates and times is available on the website.

Frequently asked questions

Is acting experience required?

No—the methodology is designed to work with any level of preparation, from complete beginners to those who have studied acting before.

Are there age restrictions?

No. The program is open to adults aged 18 and over and is equally suitable for participants aged 25, 45 and older.

What if it is frightening to go on stage?

We consider panic and pre-performance nervousness to be a normal and productive part of the process, rather than a problem that must be hidden. The classes devote particular attention to this.

What if I miss one of the classes?

The possibility and format for making up the missed material are discussed individually with the teacher.

How applicable is this outside the stage?

Course participants report changes in how they carry themselves in stressful situations, handle difficult conversations, speak in public and generally feel in their own body and voice—this is a practical, not only a creative, result.

How to register

Tickets for the course and the trial class can be purchased on this page and on the laboratory website. The number of places in the group is limited by the composition of the ensemble, which will work together for the entire season—up to the final performance on the Vaba Lava stage.

For other questions: all.born2act@gmail.com