 |
Taught by Fay Simpson; director/co-founder
of Impact Theatre
|
NEW Finally
the Lucid Body in print!
The Lucid Body: A Guide for the Physical Actor
Description
• Improve your posture
• Increase your body’s flexibility
• Open up emotional resistance
• Clear behavioral habits
• Increase your acting range
• Move away from “type”
We know the ‘truth” of our gut instincts. We pay attention
when we get the “butterflies”, or become nauseous. In the
classic movie, Double Indemnity, Edgar G. Robinson has “a little
man” that ties knots in his stomach to tell him the truth. These
are reactions of our visceral body responding without “brain” interference.
The Lucid Body is a method of training that engages the mind to perceive
the body’s organic responses, allowing the actor to be physically
connected instead of being a “talking head.”
The goal of this class is to unleash the emotional and physical possibilities
of the body by first drawing awareness to, and then breaking the habits
that bind the posture in a fixed stance. Through deep yoga based floor
work, and an audible exhale, the student will discover areas of resistance
that , once expressed, will offer a wealth of acting material in the
future. With the use of choreography as text, the student will learn
about the kinesthetic feeling of emotional flow, where the mind steps
aside and allows the body to lead.
“Thank you for making a difference, for challenging me, and for inspiring
me to challenge my soul.”
“”You’ve helped not only in acting, but in every walk of my
life. Here’s to walking taller, and stretching as far as I can!”
“I cannot tell you how much I have learned about my myself, and mostly
about my heart…”
“I am forever changed by this work. You have given me a whole new
way of seeing life, let alone theatre.”
“…organizing centers for the reception, assimilation, and transmission
of life energies.” Anodea Judith;PH.D.
The seven energy centers each govern qualities that pertain to different
sides of oneself. Here are one word descriptions to simplify my explanation.
First………..Survival
Second……Sexuality
Third………Ego
Fourth……..Heart (truth)
Fifth……….Communication
Sixth……….Intuition
Seventh Abstract thought/Divine
connection
Using meditation techniques to access the “higher” mind,
the actor will explore the chakra centers in an effort to understand
the evolution of man inherent in his body. These centers, once considered
diagnostic tools for the health of the body by the Hindus, can be accessed
by the actor not only to repair his or her own energetic flow, but also
in understanding the energetic patterns of different characters.
Joe Acting student grew up micrometric the suburbs, with strict parents
who demanded top-notch school work, and no talking back. It is now
time for Joe Actor to play the crude, loud, working class Stanley Kowalski
character from Streetcar Named Desire. How does he approach a character
whose history is the opposite of his own?
He first has to “cop” to the fact that he may be repressed
in areas that need to be released. Seeing oneself clearly, and without “judgment” is
a large part of this work. Diagnosing oneself is the key to transformation.
Maybe Joe Actor is angry, but has never expressed it. He doesn't’t
need to judge himself for that. He just needs to see it, so that
he can begin the work. The instinct to punch could be trapped in
his body like a lion trapped in his den. The fear of perhaps hurting
those he loves could be inhibiting his ability to rage. Joe Actor
can explore the lower three chakras to start to unravel the complexity
of the repression in his body. He can ground himself, connect to his
baser sexual desires, and explore the physical prowess of a working class
man. With careful instruction, this actor’s body can change energetically
to suit the needs of the play, and perhaps, as an added bonus, illuminate
his life. The Lucid Body is a technique for actors, but also for
anyone interested in increasing their vitality by cleansing their energetic
flow.
The
Lucid Body Workshops
|
|
|
