The Team

 

John Osborne hughes

Founder/Director

John is a London based stage and screenwriter, director, acting teacher, psychologist and personal development coach. He is the creator of The Spiritual Psychology of Acting, the Active Embodiment technique, the Know Yourself, Be Your Self training programme and is co-host of the popular, Spiritual Psychology of Acting podcast.

Over a career spanning 30 years, John has enjoyed commercial and critical success as a writer, teacher, actor and theatre director. His own play, Beyond Ecstasy, enjoyed sell out runs in both London and Edinburgh (Time Out and The Guardian critic’s choice).

His film production company, Awakened State, and its debut short film, The Space Between, won best short film at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival and best director at the San Francisco Art House Film Festival.

He has taught extensively in London, New York, Los Angeles and Berlin and has trained some of the UK’s brightest actors, who have gone on to work in Hollywood, Bollywood, international feature films, prime-time TV, soap operas, West End, Broadway, Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre productions.

John regularly presents popular seminars and workshops on practical psychology, meditation, creative visualisation and communication skills for corporate clients, including M&C Saatchi and the Soho House Group. He also supports a number of high-profile private clients from around the world.

Layla El-Khatib

Executive Director

Layla is a transformational educator and creative strategist devoted to helping actors awaken their highest potential. As Executive Director of Awakened State UK and The Spiritual Psychology of Acting, she supports artists on a journey of deep self-discovery, creative empowerment, and inner alignment.

Since stepping into her role in 2025, Layla has helped bring the work to life through live events, global outreach, and the creation of a vibrant online community. She designed the Actor’s Portal to offer ongoing guidance, with reflective workbooks, inspirational content, and tools for integrating the teachings into daily practice.

With a background in education, leadership, and personal development, Layla brings clarity, warmth, and vision to every space she holds—always in service of the artist’s inner truth.

Dr. Arianna Bianchi

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Bianchi is a Swiss-based Biomedical scientist, actress and entrepreneur, with an enormous passion for exploring the interconnectedness of the world. She holds a PhD in Regenerative Medicine from Newcastle University, UK, and has 10 years of professional experience in the fields of stem cells, longevity, cancer, and chronic inflammation, within international academic institutions and the biomedical industry.

Ariana is the author of multiple, peer-reviewed papers and patents, with her work recently featured in 'The Guardian,' and she is currently developing her own Biotech company.

She also has a great love of art, theatre and film and has been training as an actress, graduating from the Spiritual Psychology of Acting course in 2022.

 

Daniel Prendergast

Project Manager

Daniel is a trained actor and stuntman, has a background in media and music production, and qualifications in advertising and psychology. The amalgamation of these skills has helped him to develop and launch numerous projects, all of which have been centred around enlightening and empowering individuals, to bring greater joy and wisdom to the societies that they inhabit.

His ability to visualise and create authentically has led him to opportunities ranging from Public Speaking to Creative Consultancy.

The combination of ancient teachings and the potential of the human mind have been the source of his inspiration for almost a decade.