Improvisation and Spontaneity
in Performing Arts

October 12-17, 2003
Moscow, Russia

practical seminar
in the network of the international program

“Meeting of the Commonwealth Theatres”

organized by

Moscow theatre “School of Dramatic Art”
under the direction of Anatoly Vasiliev

in collaboration with

International University
Global Theatre Experience (IUGTE)
under the direction of Sergey Ostrenko

The seminar is inviting professional actors, directors, dancers, choreographers, senior students of theatre departments, theatre managers and journalists.

The program under the guidance of Sergey Ostrenko will introduce contemporary methods and techniques, which develop practical skills necessary for the actor’s professional work on the stage.

Part I
Warm-up – breathing exercises.
The warm-up based on the ancient Chinese system of Tai Chi Qi Gong exercises helps participants to prepare organisms properly for the full-value intensive work during the day. The training combines breathing, movement and imagination. These exercises help to focus the mind and body as one, gain sense of connection through the body, gain a sense of the centre of weight and achieve awareness of flow and energy in the body. The principal accents during the execution of the exercises are relaxation and naturalness.

Part II
The practical investigation of methods of work with actors:
· practical investigation of potential body possibilities; · relaxation and awareness of the body through movement and dance;
· investigation of psychology of a human, involved in creative process;
· work with characters through emotional expression of the body;
· opening of verbal and nonverbal communication possibilities;
· consciousness and spontaneity in movement;
· practical investigation of improvisation.      

Part III
Group exercises:
· Methods impelling the group to the spontaneous collective creative process.
· Psychological gesture.
· Practical investigation of emotional content and will in action.
· Space and time.
· Voice and movement.
· Transition from individual improvisation to spontaneous collective creative process;
· Composition in the space.
· Building of structure.
· Structural improvisation.

Contact IUGTE