Meet Liana Nyquist
From Foundations to Flourish—Liana’s Journey
Liana Nyquist is a renowned Movement Specialist, Acting Coach, and Choreographer with a career spanning stage, screen, and performance art. Renowned for her innovative and embodied approach, she has trained some of the industry's most acclaimed actors, including Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Paul Bettany, Gwendoline Christie, Emilia Clarke, Regé-Jean Page and Harry Lawtey amongst others.
Celebrated for her unique methods that bridge character psychology and movement, Liana helps actors move beyond surface technique to connect instinctively with their roles—through the body, through space, and through deeply personal physical storytelling.
Born in Sweden, Liana was mentored by Dr. Yat Malmgren and Christopher Fettes, co-founders of the Drama Centre. She assisted Malmgren in his pioneering work on Character Analysis and Movement Psychology and served as Movement Director to Fettes, contributing to the development of the classical and European repertoire at the Centre.
She trained in classical ballet at the Royal Academy of Sweden and studied the Martha Graham technique at London’s School of Contemporary Dance (The Place), London. Her career as a professional dancer, choreographer and movement director includes international work with Brazil’s Cisne Negro dance company and numerous physical theatre productions.
Liana’s academic and professional career includes senior roles at leading institutions such as Drama Centre, Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts London (UAL), East 15 Acting School and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD), where she has shaped and lead movement on the acting curricula across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Her work in film and television includes acclaimed productions such as The Empress, Freud, Django, Tokyo Vice, and Shantaram, coaching actors on set and in preparation for complex, emotionally rich roles.
Through ongoing collaborations with institutions like the Giles Foreman Centre for Acting (GFCA), and through her private coaching, Liana continues to refine and share her instinct-driven approach—empowering actors to explore the full depth of their physical and emotional range.
Meet the team
Jessica Walker
Associate Collaborator & Creative Producer
A graduate of Drama Centre London with a background in dance, music, and languages. She trained in acting and directing, completing a Master’s in Directing where she began assisting Liana on the Alive Digital Library series. Her work includes actor coaching, workshop facilitation, and conference presentations, delivered both online and in person. Jessica’s practice blends physical storytelling with collaborative exploration. She is mentored by Liana and continues to assist her across film, television, and educational projects.
Jules Chan
Associate Movement Coach & Creative Collaborator
A graduate of Drama Centre London with a background in sports, martial arts, and dance. His performance credits include Southbank Centre and the Barbican (BOYS, 2020/2022), as well as screen roles for BBC (Doctors) and Apple TV (The Essex Serpent). He has devised with Frantic Assembly, supported community theatre projects, and works as an assistant director for National Youth Theatre summer courses. Jules leads workshops, offers private coaching, and is mentored by Liana in her movement and acting methods. He has assisted her on multiple film, television, and training productions.