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Course Description

Summary

What is action? What is character? What are gesture, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, directors, and the audience collaborate to create an experience in space and time? This seminar offers young theater artists the chance to examine the craft from the inside out. Throughout the course everyone participates in all exercises and assignments. Non-writers make up stories, non-actors act, and those who have never directed direct. We begin by exploring the energy in the body, focusing on stillness and release, and the body in relationship to space. We consider the use of verbal and non-verbal languages in life and on stage. We continue with physical exercises from both the eastern and western traditions leading into improvisation as a method for tapping the source of impulses. We touch on the Viewpoints as a tool for creating kinetic compositions spontaneously in space. In the text analysis section, we study the expression of action through structure, imagery, dialogue, and the importance of “events.” By mid-term, everyone directs a short scene from one Chekhov play, or another play of our choosing. In the second half of the term, students choose one contemporary play from which they will direct individual scenes. Directors and actors will work together to rehearse, design, and present a public performance of the play. The class will meet both in person and on zoom, but due to the nature of the work, it is preferable to take this class when you can be physically on campus. If necessary, presentations will take place on zoom.