Play-acting : a guide to theatre workshops

A handbook of theatre workshops for actors, teachers and directors, by a leader in the field of physical theatre and research. This is a book of theatrical beginnings for actors, teachers and directors. Divided into four parts, from Body through to Voice, Heart and Mind, the book covers all the elements you need to engage in order to train as an actor. The dizzying breadth of exercises and workshops offered here start you off on all the processes; from voice warm-ups and bodywork through to interacting with space and creating characters. Drawing on a plethora of influences, from Japanese Butoh to African dance, Shakespearean verse speaking and children’s games, this book is aimed to entice actors who need to refresh their skills, those who would like to take part in or run workshops, and many who have no experience at all. Praise for Luke Dixon’s directing: “Outstanding physical theatre...electrifying...an appearance of the most voluptuous glamour” -Independent Annotation. A handbook of theatre workshops for actors, teachers and directors, by a leader in the field of physical theatre and research This is a book of theatrical beginnings for actors, teachers and directors. Divided into four parts, from Body through to Voice, Heart and Mind, the book covers all the elements you need to engage in order to train as an actor. The dizzying breadth of exercises and workshops offered here start you off on all the processes; from voice warm-ups and bodywork through to interacting with space and creating characters. Drawing on a plethora of influences, from Japanese Butoh to African dance, Shakespearean verse speaking and children's games, this book is aimed to entice actors who need to refresh their skills, those who would like to take part in or run workshops, and many who have no experience at all. Cover Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Preface PART ONE - BODY and VOICE Introduction 1 The Foot 2 Connecting the Bones 3 The Spine 4 Stepping into Space 5 Theatrical Space 6 The Journey of Life 7 Theatre of the Gods 8 Life Games 9 Breath 10 A Word or Two 11 Blind Man's Buff 12 A Shakespeare Summer 13 Text 14 Rhythm 15 The Drum 16 Revision PART TWO - HEART and SOUL Introduction 17 Senses and Chakras 18 Box of Emotions 19 One to Ten and Beyond 20 Play 21 Salt Labyrinth 22 Dreamtime 23 Transformations 24 Through the Looking Glass 25 Tango 26 Animals and Archetypes 27 Postcard People 28 Playing with Gender 29 Clothing 30 Magic Silks 31 Once Upon a Time 32 Performance Epilogue Divided into four parts, this book covers all the elements needed in order to train actors in a workshop setting. It includes exercises and workshops - from voice warm-ups and bodywork through to interacting with space and creating characters Contains many acting exercises and games, including voice warm-ups, body-work, interacting with space, finding a narrative, and giving experience in various styles of theatre