Why I Combine Mindfulness and Theatre in My Corporate Workshops
If the title of this post broke your brain a little, I can understand.
Using exercises from theatre performance in the context of a corporate mindfulness workshop might seem counter-intuitive.
Mindfulness is about sitting still and focusing on your breathing, isn't it?
And theatre is all about being on stage, projecting to an audience, and putting on a show… right?
While those can be elements of both practices, take it from someone who has put in the hard yards with both—mindfulness and theatre have a surprising amount in common. In fact, they are perfect partners when it comes to helping professionals tune into their intuition, creativity, and grounded presence.
What do mindfulness and theatre have in common?
One of the first lessons actors learn—whether they're working in classical drama, physical theatre, or improvisation—is the importance of presence. Real, embodied presence. On stage, the best performances don't come from overthinking or trying to impress the audience. They come from a deep connection to the moment, to the body, and to the people sharing the space.
When actors are caught up in how they should be performing or what people might think, they leave the present moment. And the performance suffers.
It's when they let go of those thoughts, when they stop chasing an outcome and start listening, feeling, and responding, that something authentic happens. The audience leans in.
Ironically, it's often when we stop trying to make an impact that we have the greatest impact.
This is why so many theatre training practices—whether they come from improv, movement work, or voice training—focus on cultivating presence of mind and embodied awareness. You could almost call them mindfulness exercises that happen to take place on a stage.
For example, actors train to:
Tune into their scene partner with full attention
Trust their instincts instead of planning their next move
Ground themselves in their breath and body
Be fully available to whatever unfolds, moment by moment
Sound familiar? It's essentially the essence of mindfulness.
In fact, a growing body of research highlights the parallels between mindfulness and performing arts practices. For example, a 2014 study published in Theatre, Dance and Performance Training describes how actor training fosters present-moment awareness, embodied listening, and the regulation of emotional and physical states—skills also cultivated through mindfulness meditation (Zarrilli, 2014).
Why combine mindfulness and theatre exercises in a workshop?
Now, there are clear differences between traditional mindfulness practices and theatre work. Watch an acting class in progress and you'll probably see people moving around, making sounds, laughing, or playing games. There's energy and interaction. In contrast, mindfulness meditation often invites stillness and silence, turning attention inward.
But beneath these differences lies a shared goal: stepping outside of habitual, busy thinking and into a state of grounded, intuitive awareness.
In my workshops, I draw from both traditions because they complement each other beautifully.
The theatre-based activities offer a dynamic, playful gateway into the present moment. They create energy, connection, and a sense of fun. Once people are more in their bodies, more attuned to themselves and each other, we transition into quieter mindfulness practices. And what I've found is that these moments of quiet feel more accessible and less daunting after moving through theatre-based exercises.
Many people struggle with mindfulness because they can't seem to "quiet the mind." The constant stream of thoughts about work, family, or to-do lists—the classic "monkey mind"—keeps going. Traditional meditation techniques often ask people to sit with that, to patiently observe without judgment. It's powerful work, but not always easy, especially in a high-stress environment like an office.
Theatre practices offer a bridge.
In fact, research shows that playful, embodied activities can increase neuroplasticity and improve attentional control (Diamond & Ling, 2016). Moving the body, engaging in group play, and using vocal exercises can stimulate dopamine production, fostering a state of flow that primes the brain for focused attention and emotional regulation (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
The theatre practices I use help participants shift gears quickly and naturally. Instead of fighting with their racing mind, participants are invited to play first—getting out of their heads and into their bodies. This playful connection creates a foundation of trust and ease, which allows the quieter mindfulness practices to go deeper.
The added benefit of connection
Another major advantage of incorporating theatre exercises is the social element. Many mindfulness practices are solitary, which is valuable—but there's also something powerful about learning presence in the company of others.
Theatre games foster collaboration, trust, and group cohesion. When people laugh together, move together, and listen deeply to one another, they build a sense of psychological safety.
Research from Harvard Business Review shows that psychological safety is a critical factor in high-performing teams (Edmondson, 1999). When people feel safe, they are more willing to be present, take interpersonal risks, and engage meaningfully.
Studies also show that group-based mindfulness interventions tend to have stronger outcomes for reducing stress and promoting wellbeing compared to individual practice alone (Creswell, 2017). The shared experience of presence and connection can amplify mindfulness' benefits.
What you can expect from my workshops
In a typical session, we might begin with a series of actor warm-ups: simple movement, voice work, or playful exercises that build awareness and connection. We'll explore practices that help people tap into creativity and intuition, without judgment or pressure.
From there, we might transition into guided mindfulness exercises—breathwork, body scans, or reflective visualisations—designed to help people integrate that sense of presence and calm into their workday.
The blend of practices ensures participants leave feeling grounded, energised, and connected. It's not about "performing" in the corporate world—it's about showing up with more authenticity, clarity, and ease.
Who Are These Workshops For?
These workshops are designed for everyone—no acting or meditation experience required! Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's tried mindfulness or theatre before, you'll find the activities accessible, engaging, and fun.
You don't need to be an extrovert, and there's no pressure to perform. The exercises are simple, playful, and tailored to meet people where they are. Some participants come feeling nervous or unsure, and that's completely normal. Within minutes, most people are laughing, connecting, and feeling more at ease.
These sessions are ideal for international professionals, teams, and individuals in Paris looking for a fresh, enjoyable way to reduce stress, build focus, and foster authentic connection—with zero judgment and lots of support.
Coming up next...
In my next post, I'll share three specific games I use in workshops to promote presentness—and explain the surprising benefits they can bring to your work life. (Spoiler: no theatre experience required!)
If you're curious to experience this for yourself, I'd love to chat about bringing a session to your team.
References
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.
Creswell, J.D. (2017). Mindfulness Interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 491-516.
Diamond, A., & Ling, D. S. (2016). Conclusions about interventions, programs, and approaches for improving executive functions that appear justified and those that, despite much hype, do not. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 18, 34-48.
Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350-383.
Zarrilli, P. (2014). (Towards) a Phenomenology of Acting. Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 5(1), 15-30.