Instructor: Janice Orlandi –
Held in-person:
Fall 2024: Movement Marathon Cross Training
A rigorous exploration of Movement Techniques for the Actor & Ensemble-Devised Compositions
A Movement practice that integrates “cross training” in the guiding principles and affinities between Michael Chekhov, Williamson’s Physical Process of Acting, Viewpoints and Rasaboxes.
The Chekhov approach brings the psychology of the character into the body through movement and gesture, creating an enriched and active inner life, making the creation of a character an imaginative, organic and playful process. Imaging exercises, creative visualization, and incorporation are explored towards the goal of developing an honest and complete physical character. The class will cover the basic concepts which form the foundation of Michael Chekhov’s approach, awakening the connection between the actor’s inner life and expressive body, and how to develop character. We will explore exercises outlined in Michael Chekhov’s book “To the Actor” the Guiding principles and concepts of the Chekhov Technique.
We will also explore the Viewpoints and Composition Devising as developed by Mary Overlie. SYSTEMS is a mnemonic device for the Six Elements of The Viewpoints: Space, Shape, Time, Emotion, Movement, and Story. You will work as an ensemble with the Six Viewpoints and Nine variations with reference to the practice of presence work with kinesthetic and sensory awareness through both Chekhov and Viewpoints practices.
Williamson Technique is a psychophysical technique designed to explore, develop, and expand the actor’s process oriented “Tool Kit.” We apply Williamson Technique to Uta Hagen’s Character Conditions exercise, focusing on how the body processes experience through the five senses into sensation and behavior, while you are involved in the circumstances and relationships of the imaginary world or the event. We explore the physical process of creating a character with “conditions” such as cold, hot or sleepy, and “Altered States” or impediments such as drunk or drugged. With applications to dramatic texts from theater or film that require or imply a character with a physical condition, impediment or altered state, we explore archetypal essences, qualities and atmospheres for activating the body in space.
Rasaboxes are exercises exploring the 8 Rasa Emotions in Indian Drama. These exercises explore the embodiment of emotion in the actors voice, mask, posture and breathing patterns, as applied to character and text.
Summer 2024: Chekhov on Chekhov
The Playwright and the Actor: Anton Chekhov and his Nephew Michael Chekhov
“All true artists, bear within themselves a deeply rooted and often unconscious desire for transformation.” – Michael Chekhov
This class explores Transformation, creating a Chekhovian character utilizing Michael Chekhov’s “psycho-physical” exercises and approach to acting, as outlined in his book, TO THE ACTOR.
Character Monologues from the major plays and short stories of Anton Chekhov will be our texts, adding classical period pieces to your arsenal of audition selections.
Cross-training and warm-ups in a variety of Movement methods will be incorporated, including Loyd Williamson’s Physical Process of Acting, Eight RASA-Emotions, Overlie Six-Viewpoints. These psycho-physical techniques and exercises offer a wide variety of effective physical acting tools which can inspire endless exploration and possibilities for enlarging the actor’s expressive body, physical ease and freedom, inspiring transformation and the actor’s organic connection to their inner life, creative artistic expression and generosity of ensemble collaboration.
We will explore Chekhov’s tools for creating both the overall ensemble and scenic atmospheres of the play, including: The character’s personal atmospheres, character centers, imaginary body and archetypes, leading to transformation and discovery of the character’s Archetypal and Psychological gestures.
To set the Chekhovian characters in the era of the play, we will incorporate Williamson Technique Character Historical Period Style to explore Period Character, Movement and Dance, including deportment, silhouette, manners, protocol, period costumes and props. We will also explore and incorporate Williamson’s and Hagen’s physical processes of creating character Conditions, states, age and/or impediments.
HB Studio offers both online classes and in-person classes at the Studio. Before your first class, please review the information outlined on the relevant page(s). Class titles below indicate which are running online vs. in person.
Most classes run for 10 weeks. Some classes are offered in two 5-week parts (Part A & Part B), and you can sign up for either part independently or register for both parts for $15 off. You can register for Part B without taking Part A: