THEA 283
The Actor-Creator: Introduction to Physical Theatre Tools Fall 2022
Division I
Cross-listed ARTS 383
This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

This course is an introductory course to the Jacques Lecoq Pedagogy which was born in France and uses observation as a first creative tool. The body is at the heart of this pedagogy and we will have rigorous physical training in order to become more expressive, more precise, and more creative. Improvisation will be the key tool to learn and discover how to write theater on our feet. In the course, we will first observe life: spaces and people. What are the specifics of the different spaces that exist around us and how do they change the body that is in them? Then, we will look at the actor’s body. How do you enhance its presence? What brings life to this body? How can we allow ourselves to start using the body as a creative tool that will be able to transform and write? We will next observe the body within the elements. What kind of character will come out of fire? Or of air? What happens when air meets fire? By letting the elements transform us we will find specificity in the character’s physicality and relationships. Then we will look at painting, poetry, and music; How can we translate a poem on stage? How do words move? And colors? Is yellow’s rhythm the same as brown? We will end the course by working with full masks created by the students/artists and also brought by the teacher. Mask work is an incredible tool to help actors articulate their thoughts, and feelings, and craft their acting. What stories will come out of that? Who’s destiny will we learn about? This will be an occasion to bring forth stories you are interested in, that touch you and move you. This course is open to anyone who is interested in creating live performances. Whether you are a writer, a painter, a director, a musician, or an actor you are welcome to bring your fierce and curious artist spirit to create theater that will be telling the stories that matter to you today.
The Class: Format: studio/laboratory
Limit: 16
Expected: 12
Class#: 1815
Grading: no pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: Attendance and active participation in each class session. Assigned project and scene work (solo and in small groups). Creation of physical performance objects (masks, etc.) Solo and group presentation of assigned work in class.
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Preferences: Theatre majors
Distributions: Division I
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
THEA 283 Division I ARTS 383 Division I

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