About the facilitator
Jessica Grace Smith
Executive Communication and Performance Coach
Actor, director and performance coach, Jessica holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts, majoring in Acting, from Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School.
Jessica has spent more than 15 years working across film and television, developing a deep understanding of what happens when we are asked to perform, speak or be seen under pressure. Her work as a performer and director has given her extensive experience helping people find presence, physical command and the courage to stay connected to themselves in front of an audience. This experience sits at the heart of the embodiment and presence work in her workshops.
Alongside her performance career, Jessica has independently studied mindset, coaching and the neuroscience of nerves and the threat response. Her workshops draw on this research to explore why confidence can disappear when the stakes feel high, and how we can learn to relate differently to fear, nerves and self-doubt.
Her approach is particularly influenced by the work of Ben Crowe, Michael Bungay Stanier, Miranda Harcourt and Carol Dweck - combining mindset, embodied practice and practical coaching tools to help people move from self-consciousness to genuine presence.
Directing On Set
How the room is held
Curious, not impressive
The facilitator grounds first. Slow speech, feet down, curiosity over performance - that’s what makes the room safe enough to practise in.
Experiential, not lecture
Short input, then doing. Pairs, triads, movement. Passing is always an option.
Test it, don’t believe it
Nothing is asked to be taken on faith. Participants try the exercise and notice what actually happens.
“Courage isn’t about getting rid of the threat response. It’s about creating enough space to choose who you want to be when it shows up.”
Work with Jessica