PEM explained

“PEM is the alphabet of our art.”

Carina Buena, actress, Romaina

A fascinating approach to acting that is clear, concise and contemporary.

Richard Listor, actor, London

If I could sum up PEM in one word it’s “confidence”

Justin Younts, actor, New York

PEM Acting - Use the body's natural physiology.

What is PEM?

The Perdekamp Emotional Method PEM – developed and designed by German director and playwright Stephan Perdekamp – is an innovative acting method based on a biological process. PEM provides performers with a direct, effortless and guidable access to authentic emotions on a purely physical basis, without recourse to personal experiences or emotional memory. Its organic and fast approach grants security, flexibilty and reliability in the professional careers of actors, singers, dancers and other performers and works with an unheard-of simplicity and effectiveness in creating emotional depth and expressiveness.

PEM is also a tool to connect young actors to emotions beyond their personal experience to provide them with a wider range of emotional expression.

PEM is a way to explore acting beyond the personal, historical and cultural scope of our modern society. It enables an understanding and awareness of the human condition that is bigger than our personal experience, making actors more versatile and intense at the same time.

PEM is a fundamental acting tool that ensures the skillful, exact and instant use of authentic emotions.

Get out of your head and into your body. PEM is a revolutionary technique that no actor can afford to be without. Check out Germany’s best secret.

Karen Lanson, actress and writer, London

With PEM I have learnt how to quickly and easily access an emotion without having to go through a lot of scenario preparation.

Marina Waters, actress, London

How does PEM work?

PEM is based on the biological connection of key movement patterns (emotions) to organic impulses in the body.

PEM teaches to trigger those – previously unconscious – organic impulses, enabling the performers to access their true emotional system directly and consciously.

Additionally, PEM offers a wide range of exercises to clear up unconscious emotional blockages in order to give the actor access to the basic biological function of emotions and an artistic control over the internal emotional processes.

I think PEM is going to be the new wave for acting. It is holistic, organic and you understand how to use your body to show your emotions.

Stuart Burgh, actor, New York and Philadelphia

How was PEM developed?

Stephan Perdekamp developed PEM in a 10-year period of research. Theatrical experiments helped define the applicability and effectiveness of the method in the Performing Arts. The process was accompanied and its technical and educational aspect repeatedly reviewed by psychologists and therapists to create a method that is safe, user-friendly and free from exploiting the artistic soul.

Anyone would be able to use PEM even if they were fond of another method because it is so concrete and you can rely on it.

Kristen Vaphides, actress, New York

Can I be sure that PEM works for me?

PEM is an approach to an innate biological system which is the basis of all human communication and acting. PEM has been tried by thousands of people from 6 continents in over 55 countries and has proven to be complementary to all other acting methods. Certified PEM instructors guarantee safe and effective learning.

In 2013, the effects of PEM were scientifically supported in a study funded by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth in Austria. The results were presented to members of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna who acknowledged the findings.

How can I learn PEM?

The knowledge of PEM has been introduced to different countries in various degrees.

In Germany, a resident acting school has been established to run full-time PEM acting programmes as well as part-time PEM classes.

In other countries (USA, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, Romania, Russia, Spain, India, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, France), a variety of weekend-workshops and classes are being offered.

Please see workshops and classes for details.

If your city is not listed on our website, please contact info@pem-acting.com and email us your request. Workshops can be organised everywhere with your help!

Stephan Perdekamp has made a sensational discovery […] PEM allows the actor to learn how to utilize the primary emotional patterns – ‘true’ emotions as it were – as a reliable tool for their craft.

Martin Miller, psychologist, Switzerland