Generative Movement

TDM 122GM Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course is a continuation of "Physical Approaches to Acting and Storytelling." Focus will continue to be on principles and practices of performative movement as it expands to include a compact survey of the global ritual underpinnings of movement performance (from the paleolithic era to present). Basic techniques will be introduced from selected performance traditions from Sanskrit, Kabuki, Kathakali theater traditions to Butoh dance, Grotowski's movement lab, Scott Graham’s “Frantic Method” and Joshua Fried's headphone work. We will discuss how material may be generated through these performance methods (and will engage parallel discussion about the ethics of using quoted movement from cultural ritual and performance traditions).

We will both investigate and physicalize the practices and methods of devised theater from the early 20th century to present (with a particular focus on the Dada and Futurist movements of 1910’s-20’s, as well as on the methods of Bertolt Brecht). Short Futurist and Dadaist scripts will be analyzed and performed as spoken text becomes more prevalent in composing classwork. Students will write a short paper on three generative techniques covered in class and will research--or create--a fourth generative technique (from any art form) and present/discuss briefly in class (and possibly physicalize, depending on the nature of the technique).

Utilizing deeper levels of Viewpoints work, Richard Maxwell and BMG's 6-Archeypte Wheel, the Frantic Method and contact improvisation we'll explore more complex qualities of character, identity, archetype, mannerism, linguistic disfluencies (verbal and non-verbal) and psychological subtext.

We will shortly immerse in the world of comedy improv w/ a series of games and exercises designed to deepen intuitive 'play' impulses, deepen ensemble cohesiveness and provide more methods for material generation. We will also briefly explore Rasa Boxes as an improvisational tool.

Daily class time will often involve some sort of performance or improvisation by individuals or assigned small groups, culminating in final performance projects at the end of the semester.  

Along the way, we will continue practice of simple yoga flow sequences, Taoist tai chi and other body practices geared toward conditioning/lengthening/ strengthening the physical instrument. 

The class will be both rigorously physical and dialogic...and often fun!

Course Notes

No prior performance/acting/movement experience is necessary, though it is strongly encouraged to take the "Physical Approaches to Acting and Storytelling" (TDM 121MV) class first to set foundations for the vocabularies and concepts of this class. This course satisfies the “Practical" requirement for TDM concentrators and Secondary Field students.