This weekend was the WEEKEND WORKSHOP of WONDERMENT. We studied various physical and vocal forms and shapes based on animals, Commedia dell'Arte stock characters, British Pantomime, and Americana text.
Amazing discoveries have been made about the unlimited potential of the body -- our bones and muscles are made to overcome pain and soreness if our minds can first get out of our way. Also, it's interesting to see how we perceive ourselves physically -- i.e. I move more like the Lover than the greedy Doctor, I naturally carry myself like a leopard, not a bison -- then to discover maybe the very opposite, or even something entirely different, is true. For instance, one actor did not relate to the miserly old man, thought she would have natural ease with the floaty and innocent heroine, but found true comfort and play inside the shape of the showy and boisterous captain! Another actor realized that moving like a gorilla was completely natural for her, but just as easily transitioned to a good fairy preaching morality and fairness.
As we continue our rehearsals and begin the investigate Shakespeare's text, I am thrilled to see how these very dedicated and flexible actors bring animals, stock characters, and Americana realism to iambic pentameter and gender-switching hilarities.
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