Directors Acting: 2008

Below are the list of workshops we have planned for this autumn. If you would like to reserve a place on a workshop or you have any queries, please email Dan Barnard, Project Manager on living.pictures@yahoo.co.uk

September

Rudolph Laban looked upon movement as a two way language process through which the human body could communicate by giving and receiving messages. He believed an understanding of this neglected language would lead to a better means of understanding people. The Laban technique introduces the student to certain basic movement principles to which all living matter conforms. Once we know 'where' we are going in space, we must observe and analyse 'how' we are going and 'what' kind of movement energy we use. This weekend will help you understand the organic structure of movement.

During this weekend workshop Rosemary will explore how Laban's ideas can be applied in a theatre context, examining the first scene of Chekhov's The Seagull in depth and using different elements of Laban's "structural model" to unlock the scene.

Rosemary Brandt is a qualified practical choreologist. She acquired her skills through years of experience as a professional dancer and teacher of dance and through her study for a Masters degree at the Laban Centre, London, in 1986. Currently she is in demand in both classical and contemporary dance spheres and is recognised in the field as being an outstanding educator. As a leader in her particular field, Rosemary is highly regarded in Europe and has gained a considerable reputation internationally. She has been guest teacher for Anne-Teresa de Keersmaeker's company, Rosas, and Phoenix Dance Company. Rosemary has recently returned to LABAN and is senior lecturer in Choreological Studies. More information can be found about Rosemary at www.rosemarybrandt.com.

This two day workshop led by the Royal Court's Artistic Director Dominic Cooke will focus on directors using techniques/methods to realize the STAKES in a scene. Dominic will be working with Tennessee Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and will spend time each day sharing with participants the various exercises and techniques he has found most useful in unlocking the stakes for a scene.

Participants will also be invited to ask Dominic questions regarding process work, new writing and his time as Artistic Director at the Royal Court and are also invited, as part of the workshop, to the reading of Caryl Churchill's ICE CREAM directed by Wallace Shawn at the Royal Court on the Tuesday. (Please see times above)

Dominic is the Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre and was won awards for his directing that include; Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director 2006 for The Crucible; Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival 2006 for The Crucible; TMA Award 2000 for Arabian Nights; Fringe First Award 1991 for Autogeddon; Manchester Evening News Award 1990 for The Marriage of Figaro. For a fuller biog please click here.

October

In this workshop Lilo will teach the devising and directing methods she has learned in her years with Complicite and Peter Brook. To give concrete examples of how to put these techniques into practice the group will work together on adapting Chekhov's short stories for the theatre. The techniques she will teach include: the seven levels of tension, chorus work, building the rhythm of a scene, play, status and devising.

Lilo is a long-term member of Complicite (with whom she has worked on nine productions). For the last five years has been a member of Peter Brook's Company at the Theatre des Bouffes du Nord. Her most recent work as a director FISH LOVE in Paris (from Chekhov's short stories) was a huge success – 'It's the most enchanting thing on the Paris stage. Baur brings the staging and physical style of acting, which brilliantly captures the charm and the atmosphere and an authentic Chekhovian fragrance.' Bloomberg press April 7 2008 ****

Her other directing work includes - I SVENIMIENTI in Rome - (3 short Chekhov plays in versions by Meyerhold), Her work with Brook has been as a collaborator on Fragments, an assistant director on WARUM WARUM and as an actor (playing Gertrude) in HAMLET. She began her career as an actress in London and was a member of Complicite and acted/collaborated with them in numerous shows but is probably best known for playing Lucy Cabrol in their internationally acclaimed adaptation The Three Lives of Lucy Cabrol, where she won the Dora Canadian Award and the Manchester Evening News awards for Best Actress. For a fuller biog please click here.

November

At the heart of Stanislavsky's method is the process of asking questions.This contemporary approach provides you with questions that help you delve deep into character and story. Listening carefully to your impressions and creating pictures for the life of the character will help you build the work gradually, encouraging an atmosphere of enquiry and a process rich in detail. Our aim for this week will be to create characters which are clearly defined and rooted in the context of the play. We shall also be exploring qualities of thinking and how this can be applied to our understanding of the way characters think.

We shall cover various aspects of this script analysis method such as: facts, story pictures, identifying the characters thoughts, relationships and objectives. Participants will be given time to practise these exercises so that they emerge from the course with concrete tools they can then apply to their rehearsal process.

Elen Bowman is Joint Artistic Director of Living Pictures Productions. Initially a RADA graduate, she undertook a three year director training with Russian director, Sam Kogan, followed by a training with Mike Alfreds and went on to teach directors at the Royal Court. Her work will appears as part of Katie Mitchell's new book, THE DIRECTOR'S CRAFT. She has directed for film and television (BBC Wales, ITV and S4C) and is an Artistic Associate for Sherman Cymru in Cardiff.

December

Rudolph Laban looked upon movement as a two way language process through which the human body could communicate by giving and receiving messages. He believed an understanding of this neglected language would lead to a better means of understanding people. The Laban technique introduces the student to certain basic movement principles to which all living matter conforms. Once we know 'where' we are going in space, we must observe and analyse 'how' we are going and 'what' kind of movement energy we use. This week will help you understand the organic structure of movement. Once you understand that organic structure you can choose to follow it or depart from it. Departing consciously from organic movement can give emotional resonance to naturalistic acting or create heightened, non naturalistic movement and dance.

Rosemary Brandt is a qualified practical choreologist. She acquired her skills through years of experience as a professional dancer and teacher of dance and through her study for a Masters degree at the Laban Centre, London, in 1986. Currently she is in demand in both classical and contemporary dance spheres and is recognised in the field as being an outstanding educator. As a leader in her particular field, Rosemary is highly regarded in Europe and has gained a considerable reputation internationally. She has been guest teacher for Anne-Teresa de Keersmaeker's company, Rosas, and Phoenix Dance Company. Rosemary has recently returned to LABAN and is senior lecturer in Choreological Studies. More information can be found about Rosemary at http://www.rosemarybrandt.com

January

Katie will teach her exercises for text preparation, back history improvisation and other directing techniques. Book soon as this workshop is guaranteed to sell out fast! To book a place on this workshop please send a deposit cheque for £50 to Dan Barnard at the address below and if you book before November 31st you will receive a copy of Katie's new book on directing, The Director's Craft, as part of the workshop. (NB Should you have to cancel your place on the workshop for any reason your deposit will be returned minus £15)

Katie Mitchell is an Associate Director at The Royal National Theatre. Her directing work includes SOME TRACE OF HER, WAVES, WOMEN OF TROY, ATTEMPTS ON HER LIFE, THE SEAGULL, A DREAM PLAY, THREE SISTERS, IPHIGENIA AT AULIS, THE ORESTEIA (all at the National Theatre) as well as THE CITY and THE COUNTRY (Royal Court)

DISCOUNTS

To help those who want to do more than one workshop we are offering discounts on the following:

Do 2 week long workshops for £335
or
2 two day workshops for £140

These workshops are supported by Shared Experience, the Royal Court, RSC, Jerwood Space and the Actors Centre.

This year's Project Manager is Dan Barnard and the assistant Project Manager is Henriette Baker.