ReFocusMethod

the curious actor.

ReFocusMethod emphasizes the present and gives actors practical tools to deliver a believable and powerful performance within remarkably short preparation times.

It helps the actor to let go of the psychological complexity in the acting process to experience more flow, freedom and joy on set or stage.

I found Tony's Masterclass invigorating, inspiring and incredibly freeing. Unlike most acting teachers, Tony demystifies the acting process to make it something that is precise, clear and simple. His ReFocus Method gives the actor an infallible set of tools to be able to tackle any role with truthfulness and best of all it is a process that can be practised in daily life. Put simply, if you attend one of Tony's classes with enough hunger and passion you will become a better actor.

Jordan Turk Actor

I have been working professionally as an actor for 26 years and during that time I have worked with some extraordinary people with varied approaches to acting. Much of that work was valuable. But Tony Grahn's approach is different to anything I've experienced before, because he deals with "the moment", by which I mean his method helps the actor find focus and stay present. And not just in acting, I think in life. Tony's work is the antidote to any acting training that binds the actor in a knot of thoughts. It clears all that away and is ultimately a practice that empowers the individual and encourages us to trust ourselves once more. Total game changer for me. I wholeheartedly recommend and very grateful.

Richard Cotton Actor

Tony’s workshop was a real eye-opener (…) I was honestly taken aback at how transformative his approach can be, as were the rest of my class. One of the great things about the ReFocusMethod is that it takes you out of your head, and helps stop the internal ‘noise’, something that has affected my performances in the past. I came away from the two days with renewed enthusiasm and confidence. If you have the chance, definitely give the course a go.

Sara Odeen-Isbister Actress
Presence, a clear focus and relaxation are essential for portraying the truth, moving with the truth, and delivering text and emotions as truth. The actor must be aware of muscular tensions, mental and physical habits. With ReFocusMethod , actors are able to develop a sixth sense, which allows them to identify and use the right amount of body tension, be precise about where the attention and energy are directed, and so be fully present within the imaginary situation. As emotions are a physical response to outside stimuli, or to a mental process (thinking), actors can consciously explore facial expressions, breathing, and posture to access, control, and feel real emotions within a short time of preparation, and let go of them on demand. Actors create the truth in relations, text, emotion, and movement through their focus on their physical experience and their attention to other character(s) or the environment. To let a character live its own life the actor must leave it alone, striving to give up control of the character. ReFocusMethod creates a clear distinction between an actor’s self and the self of the character. It helps actors create the courage and trust to not controlling the scene. Let the character be in the moment. As a result, the actor will get into a mental state of flow, allowing the character self to surprise the actor self. Once they learned the ReFocusMethod actors can continue to explore and develop their instrument in daily life, based on the exercises and experiences they had in class.
How does the training process work? A typical ReFocusMethod training starts with a brief explanation of how human consciousness works and how it supports the theory behind ReFocusMethod . The rest is practical work on the floor. Relaxation Lee Strasberg said, “Tension is the actors greatest enemy.” You will learn how to release unwanted muscular tensions during performances through simple yet powerful relaxation exercises. You will become aware of your physical habits and personal tics as a result. The ability to focus and be present Through exercises on focusing attention on something specific in a scene, the other character, the environment, or your own physical experience, you will develop a strong awareness of your instrument. The body and its five senses. Emotions To understand emotions, we must first understand why we have them. We need to know how they work from a psychophysiological point of view. We also need to understand that we can consciously induce, express and change basic emotions. In ReFocusMethod training, you will learn how to bring out strong and authentic emotions without specific psychological memories. The result will be expressing and experience true and authentic emotions. Objectives or motivations What drives the character? What is the character’s motivation in a scene? In this part we explore how to transform a psychological objective into focused energy and physical action. As a result, you can focus on the present, be in the situation and experience the truth in the imaginary situation. Deliver lines How to deliver a line as truth? That is the question. In this part we explore by exercises how to direct the attention to the right place, mostly towards the listening of the other character. Also finding the motivation for speaking a line. Working with scenes All these tools are applied here when working with monologues or dialogues.

Andris Blekte, (1923 – 2007), came to Sweden under dramatic circumstances in 1945, when he and 65 others from the Latvian intelligentsia were smuggled out of Riga by boat by a secret organization. Andris finally came to Stockholm.

Andris was self-taught in the theater field, but consciously worked to broaden and deepen his own knowledge. He spent a lot of time studying performances at The Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and above all the acting work there, in parallel with his work as a teacher.

Andris started to work at the National Acting Academy in Malmö around 1965. As a teacher there and through his directing work, he became aware of the decisive importance of relaxation for the actor’s work and began to work consciously and methodically with the issue. He established a subject he called the Actor’s body technique and in which he gave courses at Malmö Theatre Academy and Stockholm Academy of Dramatic for more than 30 years.

Tony Grahn, born 1960 in Sweden, Tony started working as a professional actor 1986. He graduated from a one year post grad training at The National Acting Academy in Sweden 1991. At the training there he had the fortune to be a student of Andris Blekte. In one of the classes with Andris Tony experienced a powerful change. He decided to bring Andris method further.

Tony began directing theatre in 1992 and entered a one year post graduate Directing Training at Drama Studio London 1995. After this training, he directed number of productions in London. In 1998 Tony started to teach at The Actors Centre London, there, beginning to develop, refine, and transmit the unique practice of the actors ability to stay relaxed, and very focused.

Moving between Amsterdam and Sweden Tony continued to teach the method at several drama schools in the Netherlands. In Sweden Tony has been teaching at the Opera House in Gothenburg, The Symphonic Orchestra in both Gothenburg and Stockholm, and The Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. More than a thousand international actors, singers and musicians have learned his method through participating in workshops and masterclasses.

Presence, a clear focus and relaxation are essential for portraying the truth, moving with the truth, and delivering text and emotions as truth. The actor must be aware of muscular tensions, mental and physical habits. With ReFocusMethod , actors are able to develop a sixth sense, which allows them to identify and use the right amount of body tension, be precise about where the attention and energy are directed, and so be fully present within the imaginary situation. As emotions are a physical response to outside stimuli, or to a mental process (thinking), actors can consciously explore facial expressions, breathing, and posture to access, control, and feel real emotions within a short time of preparation, and let go of them on demand. Actors create the truth in relations, text, emotion, and movement through their focus on their physical experience and their attention to other character(s) or the environment. To let a character live its own life the actor must leave it alone, striving to give up control of the character. ReFocusMethod creates a clear distinction between an actor’s self and the self of the character. It helps actors create the courage and trust to not controlling the scene. Let the character be in the moment. As a result, the actor will get into a mental state of flow, allowing the character self to surprise the actor self. Once they learned the ReFocusMethod actors can continue to explore and develop their instrument in daily life, based on the exercises and experiences they had in class.

The process
A typical ReFocusMethod
training starts with a brief explanation of how human consciousness works and how it supports the theory behind ReFocusMethod
. The rest is practical work on the floor.

Relaxation
Lee Strasberg said, “Tension is the actors greatest enemy.”
You will learn how to release unwanted muscular tensions during performances through simple yet powerful relaxation exercises. You will become aware of your physical habits and personal tics as a result.

The ability to focus and be present
Through exercises on focusing on something specific in a scene, the other character, the environment, or your own physical experience, you will develop a strong awareness of your instrument. The body and its five senses.

Emotions
To understand emotions, we must first understand why we have them. We need to know how they work from a psychophysiological point of view. We also need to understand that we can consciously induce, express and change basic emotions. In ReFocusMethod
training, you will learn how to bring out strong and authentic emotions without specific psychological memories. The result will be expressing and experience true and authentic emotions.

Objectives or motivations
What drives the character? What is the character’s motivation in a scene? In this part we explore how to transform a psychological objective into focused energy and physical action. As a result, you can focus on the present, be in the situation and experience the truth in the imaginary situation.

Deliver lines
How to deliver a line as truth? That is the question. In this part we explore by exercises how to direct the attention to the right place, mostly towards the listening of the other character. Also finding the motivation for speaking a line.

Working with scenes
All these tools are applied here when working with monologues or dialogues.

Andris Blekte, (1923 – 2007), came to Sweden under dramatic circumstances in 1945, when he and 65 others from the Latvian intelligentsia were smuggled out of Riga by boat by a secret organization. Andris finally came to Stockholm.

Andris was self-taught in the theater field, but consciously worked to broaden and deepen his own knowledge. He spent a lot of time studying performances at The Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and above all the acting work there, in parallel with his work as a teacher.

Andris started to work at the National Acting Academy in Malmö around 1965. As a teacher there and through his directing work, he became aware of the decisive importance of relaxation for the actor’s work and began to work consciously and methodically with the issue. He established a subject he called the Actor’s body technique and in which he gave courses at Malmö Theatre Academy and Stockholm Academy of Dramatic for more than 30 years.

Tony Grahn, born 1960 in Sweden, Tony started working as a professional actor 1986. He graduated from a one year post grad training at                  The National Acting Academy in Sweden 1991. At the training there he had the fortune to be a student of Andris Blekte. In one of the classes with Andris Tony experienced a powerful change. He decided to bring Andris method further.

Tony began directing theatre in 1992 and entered a one year post graduate Directing Training at Drama Studio London 1995. After this training, he directed number of productions in London. In 1998 Tony started to teach at The Actors Centre London, there, beginning to develop, refine, and transmit the unique practice of the actors ability to stay relaxed, and very focused.

Moving between Amsterdam and Sweden Tony continued to teach the method at several drama schools in the Netherlands. In Sweden Tony has been teaching at the Opera House in Gothenburg, The Symphonic Orchestra in both Gothenburg and Stockholm, and The Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. More than a thousand international actors, singers and musicians have learned his method through participating in workshops and masterclasses.

Tony is currently teaching at the Mulholland Academy:

  • The One Year Full time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • The Two Year Part Time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • And the International Foundation Acting Diploma Programme

More about Tony Grahn

About Mulholland Academy

Presence, a clear focus and relaxation are essential for portraying the truth, moving with the truth, and delivering text and emotions as truth. The actor must be aware of muscular tensions, mental and physical habits. With ReFocusMethod , actors are able to develop a sixth sense, which allows them to identify and use the right amount of body tension, be precise about where the attention and energy are directed, and so be fully present within the imaginary situation. As emotions are a physical response to outside stimuli, or to a mental process (thinking), actors can consciously explore facial expressions, breathing, and posture to access, control, and feel real emotions within a short time of preparation, and let go of them on demand. Actors create the truth in relations, text, emotion, and movement through their focus on their physical experience and their attention to other character(s) or the environment. To let a character live its own life the actor must leave it alone, striving to give up control of the character. ReFocusMethod creates a clear distinction between an actor’s self and the self of the character. It helps actors create the courage and trust to not controlling the scene. Let the character be in the moment. As a result, the actor will get into a mental state of flow, allowing the character self to surprise the actor self. Once they learned the ReFocusMethod actors can continue to explore and develop their instrument in daily life, based on the exercises and experiences they had in class.
The process A typical ReFocusMethod training starts with a brief explanation of how human consciousness works and how it supports the theory behind ReFocusMethod . The rest is practical work on the floor. Relaxation Lee Strasberg said, “Tension is the actors greatest enemy.” You will learn how to release unwanted muscular tensions during performances through simple yet powerful relaxation exercises. You will become aware of your physical habits and personal tics as a result. The ability to focus and be present Through exercises on focusing on something specific in a scene, the other character, the environment, or your own physical experience, you will develop a strong awareness of your instrument. The body and its five senses. Emotions To understand emotions, we must first understand why we have them. We need to know how they work from a psychophysiological point of view. We also need to understand that we can consciously induce, express and change basic emotions. In ReFocusMethod training, you will learn how to bring out strong and authentic emotions without specific psychological memories. The result will be expressing and experience true and authentic emotions. Objectives or motivations What drives the character? What is the character’s motivation in a scene? In this part we explore how to transform a psychological objective into focused energy and physical action. As a result, you can focus on the present, be in the situation and experience the truth in the imaginary situation. Deliver lines How to deliver a line as truth? That is the question. In this part we explore by exercises how to direct the attention to the right place, mostly towards the listening of the other character. Also finding the motivation for speaking a line. Working with scenes All these tools are applied here when working with monologues or dialogues.

Andris Blekte, (1923 – 2007), came to Sweden under dramatic circumstances in 1945, when he and 65 others from the Latvian intelligentsia were smuggled out of Riga by boat by a secret organization. Andris finally came to Stockholm.

Andris was self-taught in the theater field, but consciously worked to broaden and deepen his own knowledge. He spent a lot of time studying performances at The Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and above all the acting work there, in parallel with his work as a teacher.

Andris started to work at the National Acting Academy in Malmö around 1965. As a teacher there and through his directing work, he became aware of the decisive importance of relaxation for the actor’s work and began to work consciously and methodically with the issue. He established a subject he called the Actor’s body technique and in which he gave courses at Malmö Theatre Academy and Stockholm Academy of Dramatic for more than 30 years.

Tony Grahn, born 1960 in Sweden, Tony started working as a professional actor 1986. He graduated from a one year post grad training at                  The National Acting Academy in Sweden 1991. At the training there he had the fortune to be a student of Andris Blekte. In one of the classes with Andris Tony experienced a powerful change. He decided to bring Andris method further.

Tony began directing theatre in 1992 and entered a one year post graduate Directing Training at Drama Studio London 1995. After this training, he directed number of productions in London. In 1998 Tony started to teach at The Actors Centre London, there, beginning to develop, refine, and transmit the unique practice of the actors ability to stay relaxed, and very focused.

Moving between Amsterdam and Sweden Tony continued to teach the method at several drama schools in the Netherlands. In Sweden Tony has been teaching at the Opera House in Gothenburg, The Symphonic Orchestra in both Gothenburg and Stockholm, and The Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. More than a thousand international actors, singers and musicians have learned his method through participating in workshops and masterclasses.

Tony is currently teaching at the Mulholland Academy:

  • The One Year Full time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • The Two Year Part Time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • And the International Foundation Acting Diploma Programme

More about Tony Grahn

About Mulholland Academy

Upcoming Acting Workshops

Stockholm

Acting for the Camera

Class in Swedish. Scenes can be done in English

Gothenburg

Acting for the Camera

Class in Swedish. Scenes can be done in English or Swedish.

Amsterdam

Acting for the Camera

Class in English. Scenes can be done in English or Dutch.

Amsterdam

Acting for the Camera Level 2

Class in English. Scenes can be done in English or Dutch.

Stockholm

Acting for the Camera Level 2

Class in Swedish. Scenes can be done in Swedish and English.

Malmö

Acting for the Camera

Class in Swedish. Scenes can be done in English or Swedish.

Copenhagen

Acting for the Camera

Class in Swedish/English. Scenes can be done in Danish, English or Swedish.

London

Acting for the Camera

Class in Swedish/English. Scenes can be done in Danish, English or Swedish.

Oslo

Workshop

Class in Swedish. Scenes can be done in Norwegian, English or Swedish.

Not able to attend a live class? Work with Tony online

Coaching

Private Coaching

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Online Class

Intro to ReFocusMethod ​​

Can be held in Swedish or English.

The ReFocusMethod™ is being used by

ReFocus Method 3

Actors

ReFocus Method 2

Film Directors

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Singers

ReFocus Method 5

Schools & Uni's

About

Tony Grahn

Founder of ReFocusMethod , Teacher and Acting Coach

Tony graduated from The Swedish National Acting Academy 1991. Began directing theatre in 1992 and entered a one year post graduate Directing Training at Drama Studio London 1995. After this training, Tony directed number of productions in London. In 1998 he started to teach to the abilty of staying relaxed and focused, at The Actors Centre London. Moving to Amsterdam 2001 he continued to teach the method at several drama schools and 7 years was a permanent teacher at the Film Acting Academy, FAAAM in Amsterdam. Tony also taught his method within the Endemol, Theatre school De Trap and Theater DNA. In Sweden he has been teaching at the Acting institute Trappan, Kulturkraft Syd, the Opera House in Gothenburg, The Symphonic Orchestra in both Gothenburg and Stockholm. More than a thousand actors, singers and musicians have learned his method.

Jasper De Bruin

Certified ReFocusMethod teacher

Jasper is a writer, director, and teacher who graduated with honours from the University of the Arts Utrecht in 2011. He specialises in the ReFocusMethod , became a certified teacher in 2018. Jasper introduced the method to two national youth theatre schools in the Netherlands and teaches it at Media College Amsterdam where ReFocusMethod is a part of their film acting programme. He has taught nationally and internationally, including in London and at the International Theatre Festival in Abuja, Nigeria. Jasper has also worked as a teacher and coach at institutions such as the Dutch Academy of Musical Theatre, Deltion College, and ArtEZ University of the Arts.

Tony is currently teaching at the Mulholland Academy:

  • The One Year Full time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • The Two Year Part Time Professional Acting Diploma Programme
  • And the International Foundation Acting Diploma Programme
More about Tony Grahn
About Mulholland Academy

Testimonials

Tony Grahn's workshop may well be the most important I've ever attended. It is absolutely fundamental in that the work involves identifying and releasing bodily tensions, delivering a line without getting in the way of and coloring it, and directing it with a clear focus and listening to the reaction - something that is probably so easy to forget when the performance devil sets in...it really gave an incredible amount and your way of commenting and guiding showed consideration instead of breathing criticism, which is not so unusual...

Henrik Norman Actor

I have been working professionally as an actor for 26 years and during that time I have worked with some extraordinary people with varied approaches to acting. Much of that work was valuable. But Tony Grahn's approach is different to anything I've experienced before, because he deals with "the moment", by which I mean his method helps the actor find focus and stay present. And not just in acting, I think in life. Tony's work is the antidote to any acting training that binds the actor in a knot of thoughts. It clears all that away and is ultimately a practice that empowers the individual and encourages us to trust ourselves once more. Total game changer for me. I wholeheartedly recommend and very grateful.

Richard Cotton Actor

...His approach is very practical and simple, and with a lots of humor. He understands actors and really knows what acting is about. He is able to give you the practical tools to get the best out of your performance...I used Tony Grahn’s method while working opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins in ”Kidnapping Mr. Heineken’’ and currently I am using it for my lead performance in the Stage Musical ”The Bodyguard”.​

Mark van Eeuwen​ Actor

…this technique not only adds value on your acting skills but also on your personal life. I really recommend this workshop and looking forward to the next one. Thank you Tony and see you soon…

Hemerson Benisio Diniz Lima Actor

I am so grateful for the amazing acting weekend with Tony Grahn and Manouk van der Meulen …

Daniella de Campos Actor

You have to attend Tony's workshop. It's an eye-opener.

Johan Wåhlin Actor

…With a sure eye you drove everyone forward in a relaxed and safe atmosphere. The change I saw in all participants was enormous and it happen fast. You leave the course strengthened, inspired, and with concrete tools to take with you in daily life...

Erik Nihlgård Actor

…I played a role on my best. I was relaxed and natural…Because of the coaching I got from Tony during his workshop!

Gustavo Ruben Valenzuela Actor

I found Tony's Masterclass invigorating, inspiring and incredibly freeing. Unlike most acting teachers, Tony demystifies the acting process to make it something that is precise, clear and simple. His ReFocus Method gives the actor an infallible set of tools to be able to tackle any role with truthfulness and best of all it is a process that can be practised in daily life. Put simply, if you attend one of Tony's classes with enough hunger and passion you will become a better actor.

Jordan Turk Actor

ReFocusMethod is method that is as efficient as it is simple. Working with Tony Grahn opened up my mind to a whole new simple perspective on Truly mind opening.

Johan Mats Fred Karlsson Actor

Best Masterclass I had so far. This method just works for me. Tony is also a genius in maintaining a wonderful atmosphere where any actor can be totally at ease being vulnerable. Love that about him. Thanks again Tony.

Anwar Lachman Actor

A method to stay focused and relaxed while playing and therefore deliver a powerful credible performance. Also very valuable when you are not specifically interested in camera acting. Recommended!

Karienna Henkel Actor

Tony gives very useful tools for an actor and points perfectly well out how you can reach by lesser means and efforts a tremendous effect. His approach is sharp (no escapes possible) but gently…The technique he uses is down to earth and practical which is appealing.

Dieuwke Helder Actor

Tony Grahn is one of the first acting teachers I chose to work with starting up the film actors academy amsterdam (faaam) in 2005. For many years my students have adopted his unique approach of acting and frequently I speak to alumni who still are practicing this when they perform in front of the camera. Students remember Tony as a very empathic and constructive teacher, who is able to break through their old patterns and “system” of acting.

Hugo Metsers Actor

One of the most valuable acting classes I have had were from Tony Grahn. A remarkable individual with a very efficient and unique approach to dealing with the ‘now’…His teachings are beyond the scope of just an acting application…

Mishaël Lopes Cardozo Actor

…Tony’s workshop was simple and effective without demanding psychological backflips…It’s harder work than it sounds, and Tony won’t let you off the hook easily, but all the participants were pleasantly surprised when, as if from nowhere, their performances gained a new depth and truthfulness…Tony is patient, clear and fair at every step…

Eli Thorn Actor

I’ve had two game changing moments in drama class lately. One was last summer at BGB Studios in Los Angeles courtesy of Felipe Figueroa. The other one was this weekend in Stockholm, courtesy of Tony Grahn at The Method Lab. We’re all different, but those guys are for me incredible coaches. I will work with both of them again. That’s just a fact. //Happy and very tired

Ola Normelli Actor

Tony shows you the way to your own artistic truth, in a direct and straight forward manner. I walked out of his workshop with a rekindled passion for acting. Thank you Tony!

Leon Brander Actor

Tony’s workshop was a real eye-opener (…) I was honestly taken aback at how transformative his approach can be, as were the rest of my class. One of the great things about the ReFocusMethod is that it takes you out of your head, and helps stop the internal ‘noise’, something that has affected my performances in the past. I came away from the two days with renewed enthusiasm and confidence. If you have the chance, definitely give the course a go.

Sara Odeen-Isbister Actress

…It was an exciting weekend with a lot of fun. …Tony Grahn is a warm, authentic, quiet and intense person sharp on what is happening on the floor. And this all in a very nice combination of elegance and constructive criticism… So my wishes for you all is: meet Tony Grahn… He will give you with his Method warmth and a very nice mirror for the rest of your (working) life!!!!

Michiel Zeegers Actress

You can experience the difference immediately. It stays with you; you can practice it everywhere anytime. It's a gift for ever. I already find that, since working with Tony, my work as an actress changed.

Elisa van Riessen Actress

…Tony is able to transfer tremendous insights in how to release tension, being in the moment, focusing and canalize energy. These insights helped me perform as an actor, but more importantly they are still influencing my daily (professional) life, especially at moments speaking for larger groups. If I have to mention a workshop with big impact, this is definitely one of them. Thank you Tony.

Ruben Sondar Actress

It’s amazing how much you can learn in just two days. After an intense two day masterclass by Tony Grahn I was inspired to take on another acting class. I was on a roll…

Mirjam Donkersloot Actress

I followed an intense weekend course with Tony Grahn…I was very impressed and would definitely recommend him to anyone who is working as an actor or presenter.

Alexandra Smith Actress

I had a weekend long masterclass with Tony Grahn at the Amsterdam Film School and I found his method a huge relief and an eye-opener! (…) Tony creates a safe atmosphere and passionately conveys his method. As a (professional) theater maker and actress I really benefited from it!

Marijke Schipper Actress

The course I took for Tony was a turning point in the way I work as an actor and singer. The techniques we worked on to increase my ability to focus and perform have not only made me better at that, but also taken my self-esteem to a new level.

Johan Wikström Actor

Partners and Collaborations

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ReFocusMethod

ReFocusMethod trains actors to stay present, relaxed, and focused, enabling authentic, powerful performances with minimal psychological preparation.

Contact

If you have questions regarding upcoming classes or if you’d like to book 1:1 coaching, send an email to tony@refocusmethod.com

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