My masterclasses
Transform Through the Power of Presence
By combining professional acting techniques and practical tools, I develop masterclasses that unlock your authenticity, confidence, and ability to be fully present.
26
Years of teaching
2000+
Students Trained
55+
Feature Films
80+
Workshops Conducted
About me
A Passion for Acting and Teaching Excellence
For the past 26 years, I have served as Professor and Head of Acting for Undergraduate and Graduate Acting programs at California State University, Fullerton.
My training combines the rigor of two world-renowned institutions: the Yale School of Drama, where I earned my MFA in Acting, and the St. Petersburg Academy of Theatre, where I received my BFA in Acting.
This foundation has enabled me to conduct master classes across the US and internationally, with workshops receiving overwhelmingly positive responses from both national and international theatre schools and conferences, including the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, American Academy of Dramatic Arts (LA), California Educational Theatre Association, Bennington College, Miami University, Moscow Film School, and acting studios in Zurich, Geneva, and Lisbon.
In addition to teaching, I maintain a successful acting career, with credits ranging from Broadway to some of the finest regional theaters in the US, and more than 55 feature films with major Hollywood studios and television appearances.
My Values
My values center on honoring authenticity and individuality. I believe each actor has a distinct sensibility, voice, and set of instincts, and my goal is to help cultivate that uniqueness rather than impose a single way of working.
Creativity and play are essential to this process—approaching the craft with openness and freedom allows deeper emotional truth to emerge. I encourage integrating multiple acting methods so each artist can build a personal, flexible, and resilient technique that truly serves them.
My Approach
My approach as an acting teacher is centered on empowering actors with practical, usable tools that support both technique and intuition, while fostering the emotional freedom needed to work with openness, curiosity, and courage.
I create a space where actors take risks, and connect honestly to their inner lives, always in service of truthful storytelling. With deep respect for each actor’s individuality, I guide them toward greater self-trust, clarity, and discipline, helping them develop work that is grounded, expressive, and emotionally alive.
Testimonials
Transforming Lives Through Presence
From actors to entrepreneurs, writers to tech founders — discover how Svetlana's masterclasses create lasting change.