Testimonials
"A fortnight in Moscow to explore the Demidov technique (in English) with master teacher Prof Andrei Malaev-Babel was life-changing as an actor. This extraordinary approach, unlike any I've encountered before, empowers the actor to work more organically and with greater understanding of their unique creative process – physically, vocally and psychologically. By using simple, practical Demidov "exercises", as well as offering the opportunity to observe others at work, the course gave me tools to access instinct, impulse and emotional energy.
I came away with the means to take ownership of my craft, to hone skills with independent practice, to assign lines in Demidov style and truly connect with other actors, to give characters spontaneous life. The teaching is intense, sensitive, personal and demystifies notions of what each actor may bring to their work and to the shared collective experience. I'm so grateful for it all. There's no turning back as my journey continues - book a place and go!"
Kate Brown
Director, Demidov Studio London Teacher, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
"Working with Professor Andrei Malaev-Babel has been the most revelatory artistic experience of my life. Being introduced to the Demidov technique completely changed my approach to, thinking about and experience of acting, directing and to theatre - and in fact to life in general.
The technique is a certainly a profound approach to acting, a way into the secrets of the affective creative state, but it is also an incisive window into the psyche, consciousness and spiritual development of the human being. In meeting and working with this technique, it was as if everything I had been travelling towards intuitively was opened to me by a genius who had already blazed the path. Professor Malaev-Babel is a true master of this technique and it is a privilege to learn from him."
Andrei Biziorek
Director, Demidov Studio London Teacher, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
"My world has forever changed. My journey began with a book written by a man I had never heard of before, and progressed to working with Andrei Malaev-Babel in an online workshop. Each of these steps has forever altered my life as an artist and a human being. And it is only the beginning.
First, I would love to share what I sent to Andrei after having picked up "Becoming An Actor Creator", and just digested the first three books within it. I just wanted to say thank you so much for bringing this amazing content to the English-speaking world. I couldn't help myself, and purchased the book, and have been reading since our last email. This is a work of true art. I have read and studied so much about acting. Every possible avenue you could think of; from Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen, Meisner, Strasberg, Kogan, Alfreds, Viola Spolin and Improv, and more. But this book has so much more. It takes me back to how I began acting. It speaks to the ways in which I direct, how I am inspired and create, why the analytical approach seems to always fail me when I need it most, and so much more. I can't thank you enough, and I already feel it buzzing within my subconscious; feeding my creative soul. To have found a mentor in Demidov (even though he is long gone from this world but next to me here in spirit), that helps me understand how to foster the creative apparatus, is something I have been dreaming about for so many years of searching. Thanks so much again for this gem. I will hold its lessons close to me, and continue to grow and remain open and inspired. To green-light my inner creativity, and birth an embryo of art. " I next jumped into the Online Workshop with Andrei hoping to get a more hands-on understanding of the Demidov technique. And really, deep down, that I would be able to hold on to some new craft and skill: to have it under my control, as I did with every other technique I learned through the years. A conscious control over my apparatus. But after working with Andrei, I experienced and learned so much more. Even over Zoom, the boundless amount transmitted through the screen was life affirming. I learned a myriad of things, but most of all were two ideas: not knowing and permission. What does it mean to have full freedom? How can you be free if you don't let go of controlling how life moves? Andrei showed me Demidov trains within us an ability to let life happen to us, instead of us trying to direct where life "should" go all the time: to have faith. Through Andrei's loving guidance, I have started the journey in building that into myself again. To not know everything all the time, and to give myself permission to create, permission to live, permission to express and be myself. To love myself and all that I am. I experientially discovered the beauty of not constantly negating myself and looking back for validation. But to persevere and leap forward past the threshold. "Everything is right." "That's exactly it." "Perfect." There is so much more to learn, but Andrei has sparked my joy in acting again. I have my joy to create back. In one workshop I have become even more receptive to the circumstances that flow through and around me. I can't wait to see where the journey forward will take me. Thank you Andrei!"
Marcus Lorenzo
Actor, New York City
"The decision to take the course at Demidov school was spontanieous. At one moment I just thought- that`s what`s needed! I followed the impulse- and sent an application. Doing theater in Germany for a long time- as an actress, director and teacher I was missing something in the practice and understanding of the nature of living on stage. A huge amount of techniques, genres, philosophies, theater schools give a lot of space for creativity and experiment, but at the same time get you off the road, you lose the focus and the truth that was the reason for doing it all. I would describe Demidov school as "going back to basics". This technique reminds the Actor who they are- as an artist and as a person. I was pleasantly surprised of how modern and universal Demidov technique is. The creation of a free and autonomic Artist, the principle of being "here and now" – that`s what modern, postmodern theater and the performing art need nowadays. In 10 days you can feel the "first sprouts" of something new and honest that you can further develop yourself. The leader of the course A. Malaev-Babel is an incredibly sensitive and responsive teacher who guides the student all through the course, finding an individual approach to everyone. This might sound like an ad for a dental clinic, but it is true! I personally felt like I was in good hands. Special thanks to the organizers for the perfect timing and quick and easy communication. Demidov School made my summer anyway.
Thank you."
Darya Malygina
acting teacher, Berlin Summer course participant (July 15-26,2019)
"So I`m home after my travels. After Demidov School in Moscow led by A. Malaev- Babel. I feel refreshed, and, moreover I feel my Actor`s self-belief being restored. This course happened to be therapeutic for me- as I was supposing when I went to this school. Therapeutic for me as an actress and as a person. I`m gonna advocate this school, now I need adherents. I don`t wanna be forced anymore, as it always happens in my habitual system of working. Actors lose their self-belief in this system and, moreover, start having mental issues. I don`t want this. I am Pro health. And theater is a therapy and not a sick nerve. Now that I`ve found this therapy I`m gonna keep doing it. For those of a sensitive nature, those who feel something like "I can`t suffer anymore" because of the habitual way of working on a role I recommend to get to know the school of Demidov. Special thanks to the teachers- A. Malaev-Babel, J. Volokitina and Sarah Kane (I`ll talk about her classes later, this is lit, this is Steiner) and the organizer Liliya Shafeeva. And thanks to Stanislavski house- this is lit too, of course. Thanks to everyone!"
Karina Kolovanova
Theater and movie actress, Petrozavodsk Summer course participant ( July 15- July 26, 2019)
"A little late, but a very important post ( and it won`t be about Stanislavski) 5-day intensive at @demidovschool made me realize that anything is possible within the job of my dreams! I`m not gonna hide the fact that at first it was hard to get rid of the thought: "which way is the right one?", but the care of our teachers slowly (but surely) was giving me wings and (I won`t hesitate to say it) love. Somewhere since Wednesday I`ve started realizing how the Demidov technique resonates inside of me- I started believing in myself and in the road that I am slowly (but surely) walking. I wanna say big "thanks" to my teachers- Andrei Malaev-Babel and Julia Volokitina, and also thank you lovely @shafeeva for the organization and the support. I want to especially note my group: it`s stressful for me to meet new people. For the course of 5 days I got to know and work with amazing and talented colleagues (especially @saba_bakhish and @petyasergeich – these people stayed with me till the end) I hope that the knowledge I received will grow and self-belief won`t fade."
Olga Basanova
Theater & Movie actress, Moscow Summer course participant ( July 28- August 2, 2019)
"Online course of Demidov's training was pleasantly successful. The delicate sensitivity and precious attention of the Master allowed me to experience the life of my characters without noticing the remote format. During the etudes I felt that on an emotional level my character was at the same space with my partner's character. Andrei's comments based on his subtle intuitive vision of my impulses during my performance were very sharp and appropriate, disregarding the camera's limited vision. I had a different perception of space and partners if compared to a regular class, but that difference did not block my artistic existence at all. I am grateful to the Master and, of course, cant wait to work again."
Olga Mikhaylova
Theater and movie actress, New-York Summer course participant (July 15-26,2019)
"It is the 2nd year of me doing Demidov technique- since A. Malaev Babel came to Odessa and held the intensive course for local Actors there. Later our same group organized the trip for another amazing teacher- Julia Volokitina. After that I came to the 2nd Summer School and now I came and participated in the 3d. You can write and say a lot about the technique, you can argue and defend, but one thing is certain: the technique works. Even before meeting the masters I came across the book "The Art of Living on Stage" and realized that this unknown man writes of what I thought about and what I wanted to accomplish during the whole time of my theater practice. At the moment I think that it is the only technique that is concentrated on the Actor and their talent, the opening of this talent. There are a lot of great schools that are focused on the Actor playing the particular role (most of them work on that), but the school for the Actor of any role, the school focused on strengthening and developing the most important thing for the Actorfreedom, is the only one. Thanks to all teachers! Thank you for letting jump out, just fly off the comfort zone! Thank you for loving the Actor and believing in them! Thanks to the organizers and especially Lilia for giving us such an opportunity!"
Vlad Kostyka
The Actor of a theater laboratory "Theater at Chaynaya", Odessa Summer course participant ( July 28- August 2, 2019)
"My first introduction to Demidov school happened in December of 2018. That workshop has turned my life upside down, or, to be specific, brought back the real me- since then I am an active supporter of Demidov. The method he created lets artist not only to warm-up before work, tuning their instrument without forcing it, but also to a co-creator for the director, create and find new things, offer their own ideas and deeply understand the role. I would say that every day with Demidov is a discovery! When I found out about the Summer School based on A. Malaev-Babel`s own course that he created while working on Demidov technique for 12 years I immediately wanted to participate. I took part in a 5-day intensive in a group of 8 people. That experience was absolutely amazing, I wanna thank Liliya Shafeeva, the people who promote Demidov`s work and of course A.MalevBabel for not leaving us and coming from the far-away America to teach and guide us! I hope we can become worthy heirs of Nikolay Demidov and not only keep the school, but make it bigger."
Alexander Volokitin
Actor, director, a member of the Theater Workers Union, Moscow Summer course participant (July 28- August 2, 2019)
"Unfortunantely, my way to Demidov School was long and when the fate has finally brought me to the destination my Actor`s soul and the instrument were already damaged by the theater school. I`ve lost the hope for healing cause I saw the tendency of destroying the true acting art all around me, I saw hundreds of broken Actors, the triumph of ignorance and form within the theaters, a heartbreaking stagnation in theater pedagogics. But of course subconsciously we are waiting for a "miracle" to happen so that everything could change, no matter how catastrophic the situation is. And, unfortunately, it doesn`t always happen. But this time it did. Now I can surely say that Demidov school is undoubtedly a "medicine" for a modern theater pedagogics, it is a treasure, that was truly hard to save, the instruments that were tested and that work. Accurately, purposefully and with no mistakes. Demidov School contains answers to all earlier questions and holds the keys for solving the problems that has stopped the growth of Russian acting art for the whole century. It is a salvation for future Actors, teachers and directors, it is a hope for the interesting future. And if anyone has any doubts then they just are not acquainted with this truly significant for a Russian theater pedagogics personality and his works that were 'hidden, forbidden and put on hold', that were ahead of time and were written before anyone could use them. Now the time has come. I am very grateful to A.Malaev-Babel, J. Volokitina and the whole Demidov School- you are doing great things."
Daria Soboleva
Actress & Director at the film company "Miriam Media", Moscow Summer Course participant (July 28- August 2, 2019)
"Shame on me- I've never heard of Demidov before cause we haven't had the practice of his method in my acting school. I saw the post on Facebook and got interested so I've decided to come to Pushino to spend time beneficially. To be honest, for the first three days I didn't realize what was going on and why- the method was very different from what I was used to, very different from Stanislavski: I was looking for the action and the objective, wanted to think everything over etc. But I`ve discovered that Demidov is much closer to me, it coordinates with my tempo-rhythm. For me it is the root of acting profession that fills in all the blanks. And lots of things become clear right away. I want to say THANK YOU to Andrei for being such a rare kind of person who studies this method so carefully and shares it, fascinates and discovers the "seed" of every person, helps to open up all the abilities, look inside of one's self and meet your true self."
Ekaterina Vigdergauz
Theater and movie actress, host, teacher, Saint- Petersburg Summer School Participant
"The first thing I heard from the first minutes of the laboratory is freedom!!! I want to Express my great gratitude to You for what I managed to feel myself, let myself go and even understand myself. In all the etude exercises there was no inner emptiness, I did what I wanted to do and it is beautiful.And when there is no text, you have your inner and you were filled every second and from the repetition of sketches you become deeper. And it's very cool!!!! The artist should look for where he is better and that's right!!!))))))))) And I forgot to say, I do not get involved in all sorts of other workshops and a lot of them are afraid that they will hurt me, so much as Commerce...but this is a master class with certain leaders, I would definitely pass more, it does not hurt, but only calm give confidence and Faith in yourself!!!!!"
Dmitriy Ivanov
Actor of the National Theater of Karelia, Participant of Demidov Laboratory at the National Theater of Karelia
"I am from Poland. I`ve been to Demidov school 2 times. Last year and the year before that. This summer I am going again. I think it speaks for itself. The atmosphere is wonderful, the participants are full of enthusiasm, the teachers are… well… great- that I am not gonna talk about. It is what it is. I`ll only say this: for this short amount of time I have discovered more things about my profession than I did during studying at the theater institution. And I have to tell the truth: yes, it costs some money. Not small money for me, but it was one of the best investments of past few years.I am very grateful to the fate that I got to take part in this. THANK YOU! Bogdan Misevich."
Bogdan Misevich
Theater and movie Actor, teacher, Warsaw Summer school participant
"After going to "Summer School" with A.Malaev-Babel my life has significantly changed: new impressions. emotions, perception, the understanding of Actor`s life on stage. With every class there was more and more of a desire to learn something new, open up and give in to what you feel."
Zlata Tverezovskaya
Aspiring actress, Odessa Summer School participant
"When if not today… On the International Day of Theater! It`s been more than a week since the laboratory of Demidov acting school at the National Theater of Karelia has passed, but it still resonates! It was a true gift for each and every one of us. Clear, specific, fascinating! And what is the most important – I believe again!"
Alexandra Aniskina
Participant of Demidov Laboratory at the National Theater of Karelia
"An incredible level of immersion into Nikolay Demidov`s technique, endless discoveries and the the state of grace while being among these people for 5 days. I am truly happy. Thanks to everyone for this journey – I will never be the same again."
Julia Kuikka
Participant of Demidov Laboratory at the National Theater of Karelia
