JENNIE DUNNE

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Workshop 1 : DEVISING - How to create a short, but complete narrative-driven piece of physical theatre, based around the myth of the minotaur.

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This workshop will include games, and small group work with minimal props and physical theatre to construct a short presentable piece of theatre.

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Plan:​

• A small selection of fun warm up games to build complicity

• Taking it in turns to read out loud the story of the Minotaur

• Walking around the room, forming small groups based on first instinct affiliation

• Short introductions in groups (introducing one another to the rest of your group)

• A brief chat on what aspects of the story to choose

• Constructing 5 bodily tableaus to sketch the arc of your narrative

• Picking from a random selection of props/objects to illustrate your story

• Having 20 minutes to construct a first draft of a piece including a beginning, middle and end

• Showcasing the pieces to one another and using constructive criticism to re-work them in order to present a final showing.

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Workshop 2 :DANCE THEATRE - How to tell a story through theatrical dance – an “adventure dance” based on the story of the Odyssey

 

This workshop will involve a dynamic dance warm up and the step-by-step teaching of choreography.

Participants will then be encouraged to use expression and gesture to make the dance their own in order to present it, with the music as a piece of “dance theatre”.

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Plan:

• A fun dance warm up

• Step by step choreography to narrate a “journey” through space

• Placing it with music and using select words, expressions and gestures to enhance the theatrical clarity of the movement

• Watching one another tell the story via dance and making it “our own”

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Workshop 3 : NATURALISTIC DIALOGUE -How to approach naturalistic dialogue in a two-hander scene based on Hector and Andromache from The Iliad

 

This workshop will involve close partner work, dialogue, improvisation and bringing a human relationship to life from page to stage.

 

Plan:

• Introductions and pairing off

• Hand exercise: getting to know the appearance and feel of your partner’s hands

• Reading the scene back-to-back

• Reading the scene whilst engaging in direct eye contact

• Reading the scene whilst engaging in basic contact improvisation

• Leaving the page behind and improvising around the scene

• Choosing to come back to the script or stay off-script to present a naturalistic rendition of the scene

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JONATHAN D'YOUNG

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Workshop 1 : Laban - an Introduction

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In this workshop, participants will explore the body as the theatre maker’s tool for physical expression and the actor’s tool for creating character through an introduction to the work of Rudolf Laban. Participants will explore making creative offers outside of their own habitual responses by delving into Rudolf Laban’s movement analysis including motion factors, 8 efforts and effort archetypes.

 

This will help to build a repertoire of physical tools with which they can approach characterization and expression. The session will include full bodied improvisations that will later be applied internally to given situations. Work will focus on individual exploration, though students will often be asked to partner up to offer feedback and direction.

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Workshop 2 : Animal Studies - an Introduction

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In this workshop, participants will explore the use of animal studies as a tool for transformation, and to create a character from the animal. Participants will be introduced to a clear step-by-step process of how to anlayse and physically embody an animal and in doing so gain a greater sense of how to work in the moment and with truth. They will then take this animal and create an anthropomorphic devised character. The session will include full bodied improvisations that will later, be humanised and put into given situations.

 

Work will focus on individual exploration, though students will often be asked to partner up to offer feedback and direction.

 

Workshop 3 : Chorus

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In this workshop, participants will explore the use of chorus as a tool for the development of character and plot. By focusing in on its use in Greek classical works, participants will be introduced to its origins in ritual, which can then be applied to a non-conventional modern setting. Participants will move and express together, building an ensemble, through improvisation as well as with text. The session will also include working with rhythm and dynamics to make bold choices that create exhilarating focused work.

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Thursday 21 August, Friday 22 August, Saturday 23 August, Monday 25 August, Tuesday 26 August, Wednesday 27 August - 2.30pm to 5pm.