DEMIDOV TEN MONTH IMMERSION COURSE
A Ten Month Continuous Journey into the Technique of creative freedom as developed by Nikolai Demidov
Delivered by Andrei Biziorek, the only Certified Demidov Teacher in the UK.
September 2026 - June 2027
After the successful launch of the inaugural Demidov Nine Month Immersion in 2025, Demidov Studio London is extending the course to include more of the Demidov curriculum in 2026. The course offers actors the opportunity to embark on a ten-month continuous journey into the technique of creative freedom, as developed by Nikolai Demidov and taught at Demidov Studio London.
This in-depth course in the Demidov School of Acting is designed for actors who are serious about developing a complete and practical inner technique — one that enables consistent access to artistic inspiration and the ability to fully experience and live on stage or screen.
The entire course, delivered in five stages, is taught in person at our studio at Pushkin House. Over the course of ten months, actors will explore an extensive part of the Demidov curriculum in greater depth, including how to approach a role through this work. The course is designed so that each stage unfolds seamlessly into the next, as our experience deepens.
The aim of the course is to cultivate our innate talent, so that it develops smoothly and organically, liberating our subconscious creativity and creating a natural path to each actor’s unique artistic individuality. The Demidov School of Acting approaches the creative process as an indivisible whole (everything we need is already there from the beginning). Throughout this course, actors develop their creative reflexes (spontaneous reactions) to live truthfully in each moment – and to experience what true creative freedom means.
We are looking for actors who are committed to diving deeply into the Demidov work; who are drawn to explore their own creative process and who they are as artists. The group chosen for the course will work as an ensemble across the ten months of training.
COURSE CONTENT
Stage One — Etudes + Inexact (Creative) Repetition
Stage Two – The Power of Circumstances
Stage Three – Character
Stage Four – Scene Study
Stage Five – Approaching a Role
STAGE ONE
The Demidov Etudes + Inexact (Creative) Repetition - the Demidov Etudes are the foundation of the entire Demidov School, and in this stage of the course we learn the fundamental principles of the organic approach to the art of living on stage and screen. Through Demidov's signature Etudes we get a first taste of what it means to truly live in the moment, to truly and see and hear on stage, to remain ‘here and now’. We are encouraged to trust our spontaneous urges, and surrender to the genuine life that develops on its own. These are our partner scales exercises, as a musician practises scales every day. Demidov created these to refine and tune our creative instrument towards surrender to and transformation into character.
The Art of Inexact (Creative) Repetition - The nature of acting is that we repeat, whether in rehearsal, audition, or performance. It is impossible to repeat something exactly the same way twice. So how do we repeat an etude, a scene or an entire play, so that it is not a mechanical repetition of what we did last time? Here we learn the fundamental principles that lie behind Demidov’s art of Inexact (Creative) Repetition. We discover the inner life of a given text and the ways to embody it. This frees us from any obligation to repeat anything exactly (our behaviour, actions, what we felt, etc.), and teaches us how to trust our creative intuition; to surrender to the truth of the moment, without considerations of right and wrong.
Stage Two
The Power of Circumstances – Most actors know that circumstances are important, but how do we immerse ourselves in and surrender to them so that they carry and drive us, as a force of nature? In this stage of the course, we discover how circumstances – both known and unknown – propel and guide our life as character. Working with Inexact (Creative) Repetition, we will explore how circumstances become given, and how they are clarified and deepened every time we repeat. At the same time, we will discover the connection between circumstances and character, and how relationships are simultaneously enriched. When we learn to perceive and surrender to circumstances, acting becomes effortless. Also at this stage, you will be introduced to individual scales exercises, which are to be practised at home daily.
Stage Three
Character – According to Demidov, character is born in us, not ‘built’ or ‘played’. It is a living being that continues to develop and mature for as long as we are active in a role. Demidov says the origin of character is connected with subtle energy, with what he calls ‘weak currents’. In this stage of the course, through our work on etudes, we will practise surrendering to these 'weak currents'; to the first subtle manifestations of a character's being; to what Demidov calls the ‘embryo’ of the character. Specific character facilitation and accumulation exercises, unique to the Demidov School, will be introduced at this stage. These exercises are precious for the actor's creative homework.
Stage Four
Scene Study – Here we explore the Demidov School’s approach to working with circumstances and character given by an author. It will further develop the technique of Inexact (Creative) Repetition, enriching characters, deepening relationships and working with more heightened circumstances by utilizing the organic approach. During this stage, we take new steps toward mastering the art of creative transformation (embodiment), as we approach character via scenes from contemporary realist plays, chosen by you and agreed between you, your scene partner and the facilitator.
You will be introduced to sophisticated approaches to working with the text. These new methods will further develop the basic skill of “assigning” the role’s text.
We will also work with:
Uncovering the character’s past
Assigning and ‘magnetising’ the circumstances
Yielding to physical sensations
Character Accumulation and Facilitation
The art of letting go
Preparation for rehearsal
Stage Five
Approaching a Role - In this final stage of the course, we focus on how we apply the work learned so far to the process of rehearsal and development of a role. We build naturally on the work developed during Scene Study, by expanding our focus from a single scene to a sequence of scenes from a contemporary play. Here we apply the work across the broader arc of a character’s journey. We are not concerned here with the outcome, or with creating a production, but rather with the process of preparation, rehearsal and role development. The focus is on learning to perceive and become immersed in the world of the play, and on the organic development of the character’s journey. Rehearsals become a space for continual discovery, not a place to fix results.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Demidov Studio London is the only place in the UK offering authentic, complete training in the Demidov Technique with a fully certified teacher who has trained in the entire Demidov curriculum as both actor and teacher.
The Ten-Month Immersion is taught by DSL Director Andrei Biziorek and provides an in depth, ensemble-based training experience.
Duration: 10 months
Dates: September 2026 - June 2027 (see exact dates below*)
*Stage One Intensive (10am - 4pm): 26th & 27th September
Stage One Studio Sessions (10am - 1pm): 29th September; 1st, 6th , 8th, 13th & 15th October
Stage Two Studio Sessions (10am - 1pm): 27th & 29th October; 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24th & 26th November; 1st & 3rd December
Stage Two Intensive (10am - 4pm): 12th & 13th December
Stage Three Studio Sessions (10am - 1pm): 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th January 2027; 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th February
Stage Three Intensive (10am - 4pm): 27th & 28th February
Stage Four Studio Sessions (10am - 1pm): 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, 30th March; 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th April
Stage Four Intensive (10am - 4pm): 24th & 25th April
Stage Five Studio Sessions (10am - 1pm): 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th, 27th May; 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th June
Stage Five Intensive (10am - 4pm): 19th & 20th June
Training Hours: 222 hours of in-person training
Venue: Pushkin House, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2TA
Total Cost: £3,900
A £500 deposit is required within one month of acceptance onto the course. Once the deposit has been received, a payment plan can be arranged for the remaining balance. Full payment must be completed by the end of May 2027.
Attendance Policy: Full attendance is mandatory for all scheduled sessions. This Immersion is designed as a continuous, ensemble-based training experience, where each participant’s presence directly affects the development, progress, and cohesion of the group. Absences are permitted only for illness (reasonable evidence may be requested);or extraordinary circumstances beyond the participant’s control (e.g. bereavement, medical emergency, or force majeure events).
All courses are open to participants aged 18 and over.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please fill out the application form below. There will be a short interview process for acceptance onto this course.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday, 31st May 2026
DEMIDOV TEN MONTH IMMERSION COURSE REGISTRATION FORM: