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The super-objective is to
find a personal connection between the system and the
student - an individualised emotional memory of Stan the
Man!
We use a physical approach to generate the genesis of character development allied to a close
examination of the text.
We generally use extracts from Uncle Vanya to work on but are open to working on specific texts
that students are studying if this is helpful.
Students explore Brecht's techniques for achieving maximum clarity and impact - the
actor as an effective demonstrator.
We start with Brecht's description of witnessing a road accident in order to examine in a
practical manner Brecht's notions of the actor as demonstrator.
We explore techniques for actioning the text in order to clarify not only the results of actions
that are taken but also the result of actions not taken.
A physical approach to
disturbing the audience - reaching those parts that text-based
theatre can often leave untouched.
We use warm-up exercises as a way into looking at elements of ritual and disjunction.
And we use passages from Ubu Roi - a seminal work for Artaud - to animate ideas about provoking the
audience to experience theatre in a more visceral way.
Exercises that focus the actor's energy - encouraging the performer to respond to
ideas in a visceral way.
We pass on a series of exercises that we use in our own training. They are designed to
sensitise the body. They also require a certain amount of physical
courage that often transfers into a more profound emotional courage -
vital for effective acting.
And we look at how we can use some of the physical work to create compelling drama.
This workshop originally accompanied Medea
but we have also applied it to other texts. It examines themes and
styles of classical Greek Theatre, exploring their relevance to today's theatre practise.
We look at the basic dynamics of argument and counter-argument. We examine how the
mythic context informs the debate and the drama.
We look at how chorus, mask and formal physicality heighten the drama and their place in a
contemporary piece of theatre.
Physical, imaginative and intellectual approaches are all valid
pathways to creating character - finding the hooks that
work best for each of us.
We marry a number of approaches associated with particular practitioners - Stanislavski,
Brecht, Artaud - in a practical approach to acting that reflects the
mixture of intuition and technique that marks out the British approach.
We are very happy to relate the work to specific texts or projects if this is appropriate.
Working through the physical, emotional and intellectual blocks that impede effective
communication - releasing the easy, authentic voice that we all possess.
We use a primarily physical approach to enjoy the sensuality of language and the full-body
experience of using our voices.
If you wish we can relate the work to specific texts.
Developing and structuring ideas to maximum effect - squeezing the
most drama out of every situation.
We combine illustrative extracts from contemporary plays - focussing particularly on what
theatre can do that film and television can't - with practical work on
developing a dramatic scenario through pressures of time and place.
The workshop will be of use to groups devising work as well as to individual writers.
Exploring Shakespeare's text as a guide for the actor - characterisation through
the verse form and emotional resonance through the music and muscle of the words.
An extension of the Voice Workshop, locating sounds and emotional responses within the body before
taking on the muscle of Shakespeare's verse.
We're more than happy to relate the work to particular texts but can also look at the general
principles using sonnets as well as extracts from the plays.
Focusing on extracts chosen for SATS we re-examine the evidence -
an interactive reinforcement of classroom study.
We start off a scene ourselves and bring the students in to reinforce an understanding of
chosen scenes through examining different possible interpretations.
This workshop can be adapted to fit within a single or double lesson period.
An hour-long workshop for Primary Schools - making a drama out of a
story.
A physical and interactive workshop that looks at constructing a drama. For older children
this will be reinforcing their understanding of creating dramatic
situations, developing character and narrative and using cliff-hangers.
Exciting ways to create and animate poetry for performance - an hour-long
workshop for Primary Schools.
We help children to develop their enjoyment of words and their confidence in delivering them as we
play with rhythm, repetition and sound.
numbers
a preferred maximum of 30
cost
£90 for an hour session, £130
per two hour session - other prices on request
contact
phone 01271 830147
mobile 07974 569849
e-mail multistory@hotmail.com