1st Edition
Acting Exercises for Non-Traditional Staging Michael Chekhov Reimagined
Acting Exercises for Non-Traditional Staging: Michael Chekhov Reimagined offers a new set of exercises for coaching actors when working on productions that are non-traditionally staged in arenas, thrusts, or alleys. All of the exercises are adapted from Michael Chekhov's acting technique, but are reimagined in new and creative ways that offer innovative twists for the practitioner familiar with Chekhov, and easy accessibility for the practitioner new to Chekhov. Exploring the methodology through a modern day lens, these exercises are energizing additions to the classroom and essential tools for more a vibrant rehearsal and performance.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Lisa Dalton, President of the National Michael Chekhov Association
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Introduction - Getting Comfy with The Weird Stuff
- What is Non-Traditional Staging and Performance?
- Who was Michael Chekhov?
- Why are Michael Chekhov exercises a good fit when preparing performances in non-traditional spaces?
- Who is This Book For?
Chapter 2 Honoring the Obligation
- Exercise 2.1: Free Play/Open Swim (Inspired by MC's ideas on Ensemble Work)
- Exercise 2.2: The Here Silent Story (Based on MC's tools Radiating and Receiving)
- Exercise 2.3: Sculpting in Space: Back, Front and Side (Based on MC's ideas of Qualities of Movement - Sculpting) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 2.4: Voice Shapes: Playing with Archetypal Voices (Based on MC's tools Archetype, Tempo and Qualities of Movement) Exercise from Samantha Norton
- Advice From the Pros: Using the Four Brothers for Non-Traditional Staging by Lisa Loving Dalton
Chapter 3 Discovering the Delight
- Exercise 3.1: Qualities of Movement/Elemental Physicality 1(Based on MC Tool Quality of Movement)
- Exercise 3.2: Elemental Movement Quality (Based on MC tools Qualities of Movement)
- Exercise 3.3: The Rapture (Based on MC/NMCA's tools Sister Sensations and Veiling)
- Exercise 3.4: The Trinity of Psychology: Thinking, Feeling, Willing (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 3.5: Stupid, Fat and Smelly: Imaginary Body Breath Work (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Samantha Norton
- Advice From the Pros: Directing on the Thrust Stage: The Two-Room vs. One-Room Concept by Ed Menta
Chapter 4: Embodying 3-Dimensional Resonance
- Exercise 4.1: Avatar (Based on MC tool Imaginary Bodies)
- Exercise 4.2: Time Machine (Based on MC tools Back-Space/Front-Space)
- Exercise 4.3: Project your Energy (Based on MC tool Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 4.4: Filling space - The Full Body Dance (Based on MC tools Expansion & Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 4.5: Bring Them In (Based on MC ideas on Receiving)
- Exercise 4.6: Expanding from the Self into Outer Space (Based on MC tool Focal Points) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 4.7: Getting it off Our Chest: Freeing the Tension in the Chest, Shoulders, Neck and Jaw (Inspired by MC ideas of Sensations: Falling) Exercise from Samantha Norton
- Advice From the Pros: Lighting in non-proscenium spaces By Heath Hansum
Chapter 5: Crafting the Rhythm of Truth
- Exercise 5.1: Managing Mind Sweat (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)
- Exercise 5.2: Walking Meditation (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)
- Exercise 5.3: The Matrix (Based on MC Tool Concentration)
- Exercise 5.4: Ball Work (Based on MC Tools The 4 Brothers)
- Exercise 5.5: Origins (Based on MC Tool Centers)
- Exercise 5.6: Suitcase (Based on MC Tool Centers)
- Exercise 5.7: From Stillness to Chaos: Physical Rhythms (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 5.8: Musical Cues: Inner and Outer Motivation (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 5.9: Vroom Vroom (Inspired by MC ideas of Feeling of Ease) Exercise from Samantha Norton
- Advice From the Pros: On Acting and Directing in the Arena—Or, Give Me Back My Third Dimension by Lynn Musgrave
Chapter 6: Sharing the Treasures
- Exercise 6.1: The Refrain (Based on MC tool Psychological Gesture)
- Exercise 6.2: Bubble (Based on MC's tool Personal Atmosphere)
- Exercise 6.3: Character Gestures: Vary the Repetition (Based on MC tools Psychological Gesture and Jewelry) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 6.4: Music as Character: Your Inner Monologue (Inspired by MC's ideas on Active Analysis) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
- Exercise 6.5 Tornado (Based on MC tool Personal Atmosphere) Exercise from Samantha Norton
- Advice From the Pros: Costuming in the Round, A Question of your Point of View by Sue Picinich
Chapter 7: Entering the Experience
- Exercise 7.1: The Helpers (Based on MC tools Concentration, Radiating and Receiving, Merging)
- Exercise 7.2: Revelation Spell (Inspired by MC's Ideas on The Higher Ego & Ensemble)
- Exercise 7.3: Gifts (Inspired by MC's ideas on Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Beauty)
- Exercise 7.4 Upgrade (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, and Sensations)
- Exercise 7.5 Gifts & Upgrade Combined (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality and Jewelry)
- Exercise 7.6 The Garden (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Form)
- Exercise 7.7 Beauty Quilt (Inspired by MC's ideas of Higher Edo, Creative Individuality and Beauty)
- Exercise 7.8 Good Vibrations (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble) from Samantha Norton
- Exercise 7.9 Holiday Fun (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble)
- Exercise 7.10 Angel Walk (Inspired by on MC's ideas of Ensemble, Creative Individuality, Beauty and the Universal Unconscious) Exercise from Wil Kilroy and NMCA
- Advice From the Pros: The Power of Suggestion by Karel Blakely
Chapter 8: Conclusion
Appendix: List of Exercises Categorized by Corresponding Michael Chekhov Tools
Bibliography
Biographies of Author and Contributors
Index
Biography
Anjalee Deshpande Hutchinson is an Associate Professor of Theatre & Dance and the Department Chair at Bucknell University. She is a National Michael Chekhov Association Certified Teacher.
