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About the Training | | Body in Space is committed to providing regular training opportunities for its company members and the public. We believe this is necessary for us to continue to grow and extend into our art form. The company is particularly devoted to training in the following methods... |
| Anne Bogart's Viewpoints | 
The Viewpoints
Viewpoints is a system for lifting our awareness of our body in relation to space and time. The Viewpoints allow us to become conscious of the choices we make on stage and train us to make choices that are informed, imaginative and intuitive.
Anne Bogart adapted this system for actors from the 6 Viewpoints created by dancer, Mary Overlie. Anne Bogart's Viewpoints have 9 aspects which are:
* Spatial Relationships
* Kinaesthetic Response
* Tempo
* Repetition
* Floor Pattern
* Architecture
* Gesture
* Shape
* Duration
Viewpoints training consists of exercises that increase the actors awareness of these 9 aspects. This training is helpful for creating a strong ensemble and movement on stage and for understanding what makes theatre work. It trains actors to be spontaneous, highly focussed, intuitive, generous and adventurous.
We believe that Viewpoints training is essential for anyone wanting to improve their way of being on stage.
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| The Suzuki Method of Actor Training | 
Suzuki Method
Tadashi Suzuki has created a very disciplined, grounding system of exercises that create energy, strength and presence in a performer.
As preparation, actors move through a series of Basics- exercises that transport the core through space quickly and precisely.
The group then performs a Stomp, moving the core slowly through space with strength and entire body engagement. The performer is connected to the earth and to the sky, strong yet long and light.
To contrast and transform the kind of energy created by the Stomp the actors then move slowly and smoothly through the space, dispersing the energy throughout their bodies and sending it forth into the audience.
The exercises function to challenge the performer and create crises. It is through this engagement with crisis that growth can happen. |
| Improvisation | 
What is Improvised theatre/comedy?
When it comes to theatre, improvisation (improv, impro) is the art of acting without a prepared script. This might initially sound like an actor's nightmare to people used to the tradition of learning a part. If you don't learn lines, then what will you say? Acting without a script however, can free the actor to live in the moment, say and do things that are truly reactive and collectively forge futures that may never occur to a single playwright with a pen.
If you survey the history of performance you will find a wealth of non-scripted theatre forms, such as the Jesters of the Medieval Court, the masked stock characters of the Commedia dell' Arte and the practiced physical routines of circus clowns. In the twentieth century improvisation was manifested as a way of giving people cathartic role-play opportunities, both individually, as in the ritualised Playback theatre and politically, such as the Theatre of the Oppressed movement of Augusto Boal.
The entertainment value of improvisation as an art in itself was developed extensively by drama teacher Keith Johnstone. Inspired by the fake spectacle of professional wrestling, Johnstone invented a way of pitching improvised theatre as a competition. Teams of players would engage in rounds of theatre games and improvised scenes that would be judged by the audience.
Theatresports, as it came to be known, as well as other formats like Maestro and Gorilla became instantly popular and by the early 1990s there were improv companies performing regular shows in this style throughout the world. Improv television appeared in the form of 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' and later 'Thank God You're Here' and, while successful, these shows cannot really capture the atmosphere of live improv, where audiences can see their own suggestions played out in an unpredictable mix of sometimes seamless, sometimes outrageous ways.
Why learn improv?
Improv is a skill to be learned and honed like any other. It is also incredible fun! Often, all that is needed to make an audience laugh is the knowledge of how to play a particular 'game' and a willingness to say or do the next logical thing that comes to you. By attending workshops that teach improvisation techniques you can stand to gain the following:
* Confidence in the power of your own ideas
* Confidence and dynamism in your public speaking
* Increased spontaneity and generation of ideas
* Greater ability to co-operate and see others' points of view
* Versatility and spontaneity in your acting
* Knowledge of how to create and structure stories |
| Yoga | 
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that helps people find wholeness. Yoga is practiced in many different ways and for different reasons by people all around the world. The practice of asana (postures) is largely associated with Yoga, especially in the West. Asana is an aspect of the larger system of Yoga. It is easily accessible and provides a vehicle for further exploration if the student should wish to go deeper.
Lisa teaches asana from an Iyengar base and has been developing her own understanding of principles that allow a body in space to feel good.
These principles are:
Breath- the breath allows us to slow down, relax, become present, glide into space and heal.
Suspension- the body is suspended between extreme points
Qualities- strength, length and lightness in relation to these points bring balance
Whole body- every part of the body has a role to play in every asana
Extension - first we find length in the position, then we move into depth
Claiming space- tension stops us claiming the space that already exists in our bodies and minds. Release tension, glide into space
Healing- deep, coordinated breathing allows extra oxygen to enter the body. The blood picks this oxygen up and we assist its circulation by practicing asanas. Cells receive a fresh supply of blood and then use the oxygen in repair and rejuvenation. |
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