Lawrence & Kansas City · working everywhere
Abby Ilardi
I'm a therapist who performs on stages.
A yoga teacher who writes novels.
An artist who is obsessed with the psychology of creativity.
About
About Abby
Training & credentials
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas (MS, Counseling Psychology)
- About a decade of yoga teaching: RYT-200, RYT-500 in progress, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Level 1
- Devised theater facilitator and performer, with recent training at Pig Iron Theatre Company
- Creator of SomaSong®, mind-body-voice coaching built on 20 years of voice study and my somatic and psychology backgrounds
- Creator of Creative Terrain, a holistic approach to overcoming creative blocks
Current projects
- Revising my first novel
- Recently played Lizzie Borden in the rock musical Lizzie (Theatre Lawrence, 2026)
- Writing and performing original indie folk rock
- Teaching weekly somatic flow at Bluestem Yoga
- Working with private clients in SomaSong voice lessons, yoga for insight, and Creative Terrain
- Dreaming up an experimental semi-devised folk musical
Theater
Acting, devising & therapeutic theater
Teaching, facilitating and performing in Lawrence, Kansas City and beyond.
I teach acting classes in the Lawrence/KC area. Most recently Creative Scene Lab at Theatre Lawrence, which taught adult students to apply devised and physical theater techniques to scenes from Shakespeare and other classics.
Several times per year, I lead workshops that use devised theater techniques as a pathway toward regulation, processing, expression, connection, and play. No theater experience needed.
Recent: Presence Not Perfection, Be Moved Studio
I have two decades of stage experience ranging from classic musical theater to Shakespeare to experimental and devised work. As a performer, I work from psychological depth, physicality, and musicality.
Recent: Lizzie Borden in Lizzie and Betty Haynes in White Christmas
Need a collaborator for a devised piece? I'm especially excited by small-cast experimental musical theater made through devised processes. I bring facilitation experience, training in devised and physical theater, songwriting skill, performance experience, and experience as a novelist.
From therapeutic theater workshop participants
“As a theater kid grown up to a musician, this day was grounding, introspective, safe and so refreshing. … Devised theater is not just for theater kids, it’s for anyone who feels things! Come play!”
“Her experience and knowledge in facilitating is deep, providing a safe environment for experimentation or just plain goofiness. I came to play and was not disappointed.”
“Abby’s Devised Theater sessions have been a highlight of this season of my life. … Fun, flexible, and a chance to connect deeply with my partner, with a group, and with myself.”
Music
Original indie folk rock
I write and perform indie folk rock with winding Joni Mitchell-esque melodies, moody indie vibes like Phoebe Bridgers, experimental touches like Jesca Hoop and Lady Lamb, and vocal stylings somewhere between Florence Welch and Sara Bareilles.
Other music offerings
- Meditative song circles and concerts
- Voice lessons: see SomaSong®
- Gigs beyond my originals, including a duo with a pianist: Christmas and jazz sets, plus light rock, pop and contemporary for parties, weddings, restaurants and events
- Open to collaborating on creative projects that need a vocalist
Writing
At work on a novel
I’m currently revising my first novel, a deeply psychological exploration of the lives of four people living on a small island off the coast of Maine. The novel is equal parts funny and devastating, pairing wry humor and Gilmore Girls-esque banter with characters grappling with loneliness in the aftermath of trauma.
Work with me
Regulate to create. Create to regulate.
Your nervous system has a huge impact on your creativity, and engaging with creativity can have a huge impact on your nervous system. I work from both angles—helping creatives learn to regulate their nervous systems to enhance their creativity and helping anyone use creative practices as a meaningful form of nervous system regulation.
For you
- Yoga for Insight, Clarity, and DiscernmentHave you ever had a lightbulb moment? That sudden feeling of insight, inspiration, or clarity that allows you to move forward? This offering combines techniques from yoga, meditation, somatics, and journaling to help clients connect to their intuition and spark insight. Available for private sessions, small groups, and workshops. Email info@abbyilardi.com to inquire.
- SomaSong® sessionsMind-body voice coaching for singers, and for anyone who wants to use their voice as a tool for wellbeing. Learn about SomaSong
- Creative Terrain coachingMy original coaching protocol for creatives feeling blocked, stuck, or uninspired. Leverage mind, body, and nervous system to get your creativity back online and find the joy in your craft again.
For groups & organizations
- Workshops & retreatsAvailable for workshops and retreats at the intersection of creativity and wellbeing, e.g. therapeutic and devised theater, SomaSong mind-body-voice, Creative Terrain creativity retreats, yoga, etc.
- TheaterActing classes, therapeutic theater, devising
- ConsultingHave a question involving creativity and mental health? As a licensed professional counselor and working artist, I am happy to consult with companies, universities, organizations, artists, teachers, and creative teams. Topics might include creating trauma-informed classrooms and arts organizations, creating psychological safety in a rehearsal room, nervous system regulation techniques for performance difficulties, accurate depiction of mental illness in creative works, etc. Please reach out via email (info@abbyilardi.com) or the contact form, and I'll be happy to discuss.
From yoga students
- “Definitely the best yoga teacher I have ever had.”Jenna
- “A phenomenal yoga teacher.”Gray
- “Now I’m disappointed in other yoga classes because they’re not taught by Abby!”Meredith
- “She always provided pose variations, making it accessible to all experience levels.”Heather
“After taking one yoga class with Abby, I was completely hooked. … I found myself really craving and looking forward to her classes as a way to pause and reflect and take some time for myself and my body, which Abby really nurtures in her practice.”
“Abby’s kind patience, easily visible in her smile, immediately creates a space conducive to peaceful, introspective time. With her gentle guidance, I was able to make peace with all the difficulties of my week. If I could, I’d start everyday with one of her yoga classes.”
“Abby meets every student wherever we are — whether we come in with tons of experience, or very little — she shapes the class to the specific group.”
Contact
Say hello
Write about yoga, SomaSong, theater, workshops, consulting, or a performance. You can also email info@abbyilardi.com.
This form isn't a clinical channel. Please don't include health information. For therapy, visit Lawrence Holistic Mental Health.