The Body on stage

what do we see? (signifer)
What does it mean?


Nothing comes without a meaning
Always interpret
We interpret someones expressions and body language to help us understand.


How do they feel?


We read his/hers state of mind
An actor shares there experience with the audience


Jacques Copeau a famous theatre practitioner believed in, Theatre = Communication. 


He believed in actors opening their minds and being objective about work to help convey a message. 


I agree with these statements as i know as a performer and an audience member i always look for a background story and i always try think the way the character is thinking to help me understand or re-create the story. 

Rolling down Technique: 


What is it used for? 


Taking your time to roll down through the vertabre to help lengthen the spine. 


Helps us to start thinking about the spine moving bone by bone. 


How is it done?


Standing feet hip distance apart in parallel.


Inhaling to prepare and lengthen through the spine, to start releasing the head downwards, allowing the weight of the head to lead, rolling down, letting the knees to bend and the arms to hang. 


The first couple of times i did this movement i had an image of a puppet in my head being pulled down but the strings, starting from the head slowly going down. 


  

The video and images below is me jumping in parallel position then turn out. The video and images focus on my feet and the articulation through the toes, which i tend to struggle with sometimes, I've got flat feet could this be the reason? i'm not sure but i'm working on it, i find it harder in parallel and sometimes causes cramps in the middle part of my foot. 

What do you think i could improve on?

Running into/ through space


I realised when I first start i think about my running,  sometimes I decide to run through a particular space, or pause but then other times i let things happen without thinking about it. 
Is it about letting go of your thoughts? 
I think its better when i ran without thinking, so I'm going to try leave all my thoughts at the door before walking into the studio and start with a fresh blank page each time. 





When i was observing i realised patterns and images emerging and also relationships starting to form between different individuals. 

My Free Writes: 


A constellation of patterns can be.. 
various things, patterns within space using the body, objects/props e.g. starts, planets etc. 
Stars make patterns in the sky without planning or purpose. Patterns can also be in anything like wallpaper, socks, clothing, carpet, objects, images etc. 


Between people there is...
different relationships or connections. For example a teacher and a student relationship would be limited in the way you wouldn't share your personal and private thoughts, feelings or situations with them, not like a bestfriend or a partner. 
Different individuals feel comfortable with different people to share thoughts, feelings, problems, emotions etc with. 


When i am part of a group..
I feel i have to keep contributing my ideas or images or experiences i have or had to relate to the work we are doing to help create something unique and unusual. 
I also listen and picture in m y mind what other people contribute to help one whole image come to place. My ideas are usually artistic, creative and i always try think outside the box. I never know if my ideas are any good or if others will understand them but still i try to convey them. 


As an individual...
i like to explore varies way of creating a dance or theatre performance. I like to look at other practitioners or artists to influence my work. I like to use costume to help, explore movement but also add in gestures, speech and props. 


I feel ..
tired today and a little drained because i went out last night, and i got home late. I think if i didnt have this lesson id still be asleep. 
I'm going home tomorrow, which im looking forward to but i'm dreading the long journey, I'd prefer to fly home so i can feel relaxed and free. 

Augusto Boal (16 March 1931- 2 May 2009) 


Augusto was a Brazilian theatre director, writer and politian. He created an unusual theatre form used in education. 


He argues that the Tragi-drama, a formulaic drama style which could be considered similar to soap operas, helps the State promote its continued existence.
Boal also created Invisible theatre in which an event is planned and scripted but does not allow the audience to know that the event is happening. Actors perform out of the ordinary roles which invite audience to join in or sit back and watch.
Boal's ideas aimed to wake up the passive audience, inviting them on to the stage to act out their real-life problems, turning them into what he called "spect-actors", and empowering them to find strategies for personal and social change.


His famous, well known books: 
Games for actors and non actors.
Theatre of the Oppressed. 
The rainbow of desire. 
Legislative Theatre. 


Watch this video which he explains more about his work and let me know what you think? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOgv91qQyJc

Voice


I learnt I always have to support my voice using my breath, and vocal and physical warm ups are very important also. 


We had to get into groups and make up words or say words by focusing on the vowels and consonants. 
My group words were: 
Sacsuma 
Talula 
Batsuma 


We found we had to take our time to pronounce each letter correctly and we had to make sure we all support with our breath.