IUGTE Summer Events 2002

The series of significant international events united performers from different countries of the world. July 4 to 7, 2002 - the international workshop for dancers, choreographers and psychologists “Investigation of improvisation and Spontaneity”. From August 7 to 13 - the international course “Acting Technique in Contemporary Theatre”. From August 16 to 20 - the Latvian tour of musicians and dancers from Ghana. African performers visited IUGTE with the purpose to learn Russian theatre traditions and also presented two marvellous performances of African traditional music and dance.

Investigation of Improvisation and Spontaneity

The workshop group was formed on a competitive basis, a lot of applicants applied, but despite of their big interest, the most professional participants could only enter the number of thirty members of the group. Indra Mayore and Sergey Ostrenko - were leading the training process. As the result the excellent team of collaborators was formed. In spite of the intensive schedule of work (from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m.), some participants were enthusiastic for extra independent tasks. The cohesion of the group could be felt from the very morning, when participant gathered in the nature for morning breathing exercises. Such early awakening and the breathing warm-up outdoors was a pleasant surprise for some participants. One of the participants described her impressions: “As if I have never breathed with my entire chest before!”. During the practical sessions the group explored methods of group creation, the concepts of imagination, expression in dance, experimented with movement, rhythm and music. The group structures and improvisations were expressed not only on the stage floor but also on the canvas. Afterwards the colorful paintings decorated the studio. Among the most interesting exercises emphasized by participants was the independent work of making movies based on body language – movement and dance. These recordings will remain in IUGTE Archives as the most remarkable.

Acting technique in Contemporary Theatre

“I don’t believe”- this phrase would not come from Stanislavsky’s lips if he could be present at the rehearsals of the course participants. During the week actors from Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Lithuania, Estonia and the United Kingdom explored contemporary acting techniques. There were two teachers at the course: Sergey Ostrenko and Oleg Mirochnikov. Ostrenko focused the main attention on the method of the Psychological Gesture and improvisation as a method of rehearsal by Michael Chekhov. The teacher of Drama Centre London Oleg Mirochnikov introduced the method of active analysis by Stanislavsky. In the evenings after the practical sessions participants reviewed the video recordings of improvisations and etudes, analysed the work with the group leaders, shared ideas and questions. The plays by Anthon Chekhov became the material for rehearsals and gave the participants opportunity to embody themselves in A.Chekhov’s colourful characters and to feel the atmosphere of Russian life of outgoing nobility at the beginning of the 20th century. Acting course “Acting Technique in Contemporary Theatre” once again proved the truth about the Russian theatre tradition grandeur and the paramount investment in contemporary theatre made by the great figures of Russian Theatre.

Tour of the group from Ghana “Tsir kor mpam”

Concerts by “Tsir kor mpam” which means “Two heads better than one” made the brightest impressions on Latvian spectators. The performers brought the little part of the rich African traditions. The performances were colourful – national costumes and amazing adornments. The sounds of ten different drums and other African percussion instruments with unusual names made both adults and children dance and join in singing. People were happy! The guests from Cape Coast visited Latvia for the first time. Both the Latvian spectators and the performers of “Tsir kor mpam” will remember this event. The tour organization was supported by Latvian Ministry of Culture, Daugavpils Theatre and Jelgava City Council.