Bartenieff Fundamentals: Movement for Actors

Presented by: Alexandra Beller

In memory of George Bartenieff on HB Studio’s 80th Anniversary 

Unlock the secrets of your movement potential and transform your approach to the body and its connection to the world around you. Join us for an immersive 2-day in-person workshop where we delve into the profound realm of Bartenieff Fundamentals.

Bartenieff Fundamentals is a movement-based approach that helps you explore and understand your body’s potential for dynamic and efficient movement. Developed by Irmgard Bartenieff (George Bartenieff’s mother), a pioneer in Physical Therapy, Dance Therapy, and Movement Analysis, this method focuses on core principles of movement, including:

  • Breath
  • Core support
  • Dynamic alignment
  • Spatial intent
  • Developmental Movement Patterns
  • Joint Efficiency and Biomechanics
  • Initiation and Sequencing
  • Stability/Mobility

Through a series of exercises, guided explorations, hands-on feedback, and discussion, you’ll learn to improve your body awareness, coordination, and movement efficiency. Bartenieff Fundamentals is not just for dancers but for anyone looking to enhance their physical capabilities, reduce tension, and move with greater ease and expressivity. Whether you’re an athlete, actor, musician, or simply interested in improving your overall well-being, Bartenieff Fundamentals offers invaluable, practical self-awareness and actionable tools for healing yourself.

Alexandra Beller holds a BFA/Dance (University of MI), MFA/Dance (University of WI at Milwaukee), and CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) in Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals (LIMS). She was on faculty at Princeton University for 7 years and currently is core faculty at The Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement Studies. She guest teaches nationally and internationally. She has taught private and group Bartenieff Fundamentals classes for 10 years. Previous bodywork training includes Massage Therapy, Gyrotonics, and Breathwork. She is a choreographer and director for Theater and specializes in teaching actors to embody character.