This workshop introduces students to the Meisner technique of acting and script analysis. Its first sessions train students to develop their emotional presence and ability to engage, listen and react truthfully and spontaneously to their partner and audience. Building on this foundation, students move to script analysis and the interpretation of scenes that resonate with contemporary thinking on gender, power and nature.
Students progress through a highly structured, incremental practice and method. They work individually and in pairs on the first three practice steps: “inner state”, “repetition”, and “tools”. Moving on to script analysis, students work collectively as a group to discuss and analyze three scenes before working in pairs again to rehearse and perform a scene of their choice.
Philosophically, students will be invited to reflect on the difference between reality and truth, experiencing the essential nature and role of theatre as a place for the discovery and sharing of human, social and political truths. By training their ability to ‘live truthfully under a given set of imaginary circumstances' and learning to analyze and experience a script from any character's viewpoint, students will gain personal and artistic freedom and empowerment, learning to harness and integrate the power of thought, emotion and intention.
Students are expected to choose a scene of their choice. The three following scenes are suggested as they address climate change, gender and power thematics. Students who wish to work on an alternate play and scene choice may discuss their suggestions to the instructor during the workshop's first sessions. They will be expected to script analyze their scene on their own following the methodology taught in class.
Frédérique NAHMANI
Atelier
English
None. The course is accessible to students with or without prior experience in theatre
Spring 2022-2023
Resilience, second play of the two play volume The Contingency Plan by Steve Waters, Pages 167- 171 (Nick Hern Books Modern Plays): Act 1, scene 1, scene between Chris and Sarika, from Chris Am I right in thinking that our task, our duty is to make this
A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, Act 3, final scene, Scene between Nora and Helmer (starting from Nora: Isn't there one thing that strikes you as strange in our sitting here like this? until Nora I have never felt my mind so clear and certain as tonight.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Act 4, last scene of the play, Scene between Proctor and Danforth (starting from Danforth Come, then, sign your testimony until Danforth Which way do you go, Mister? His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the p
(Note: we cut these lines from the scene, to keep the exchange to Proctor and Danforth: Parris :Proctor, the village must have proof that , and Proctor's Damn the village)