Emotional Healing Through Performance: The Blog

Luke Scaros
Aug 1
2 min read

My first workshop is happening on August 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Alexandria, VA.

Can’t make it in person? No problem — a Zoom link will be available so you can join us online!

We’ll take a lunch break during the session, and I’ll provide snacks for those attending in person.

What Is This Workshop?

We’ll be using theater techniques I learned during my acting career — but instead of performing for an audience, we’ll use these tools for emotional healing.

Think of it as using performance to:

Create moments of closure
Clear negative energy from the body
Help process emotions and internal narratives

Wait… What?

Has anything bad ever happened to you?

Well yeah...

Okay, and when something bad happens, what’s the first thing we usually want to do?

Eat Ben & Jerry’s?

Exactly! Resting, indulging the senses, and treating yourself with compassion are signs of processing. These actions help your body and spirit shed negativity. But there are other powerful ways to process emotional pain, too:

Shaking or dancing to release stuck energy
Singing, chanting, or yelling (safely!) to express emotions
Crying as a natural release
And so many more…

So What Does This Have to Do with Performance?

Theater training teaches actors how to release tension from the body in order to fully embody a character. But if those same techniques can release physical tension…Why not use them to release emotional and energetic tension, too?

But I’m Shy About Performing in Front of Others…

That’s the beauty of this work:

You’re not performing for anyone else — you’re performing for yourself.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s release.And when it comes time for individual work, you don’t even need to face the group. You’ll have space to engage however you feel comfortable.

Can You Show Me an Example?

Absolutely.

Let’s say you’re working through a difficult breakup. Here’s what we might do together:

Warm up — physically, vocally, and energetically
Write everything you wish you could say to your ex
Stand up, imagine they’re in front of you, and read your words aloud
Check in with me about how it felt
Read it again, this time with some guided adjustments:
- Repeat a word or phrase until it feels true
- Jump up and down as you say a specific line
- Use strong physical gestures like throwing imaginary boxing gloves with your words
- Imagine you’re levitating as you deliver the final message

Then we’ll work together to replace the released energy with something new:

Peace. Confidence. Light.

Talking with Luke Perone about this event.

Do You Have to Be an Actor?

Nope! You don’t need any performance experience to benefit from this work.

Sure, actors may have a head start in using these tools — just like a therapist might in group therapy, or a reiki practitioner might in sensing energy — but that doesn’t mean the experience isn’t for you.

This workshop is open to anyone willing to try something new to heal and grow.