Acting Exercises for Non-Traditional Staging

Anjalee Deshpande Hutchinson is an Associate Professor of Theatre & Dance and the Department Chair at Bucknell University. She is a National Michael Chekhov Association Certified Teacher.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Lisa Dalton, President of the National Michael Chekhov Association

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Introduction - Getting Comfy with The Weird Stuff






What is Non-Traditional Staging and Performance?



Who was Michael Chekhov?



Why are Michael Chekhov exercises a good fit when preparing performances in non-traditional spaces?



Who is This Book For?

Chapter 2 Honoring the Obligation






Exercise 2.1: Free Play/Open Swim (Inspired by MC's ideas on Ensemble Work)



Exercise 2.2: The Here Silent Story (Based on MC's tools Radiating and Receiving)



Exercise 2.3: Sculpting in Space: Back, Front and Side (Based on MC's ideas of Qualities of Movement - Sculpting) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 2.4: Voice Shapes: Playing with Archetypal Voices (Based on MC's tools Archetype, Tempo and Qualities of Movement) Exercise from Samantha Norton



Advice From the Pros: Using the Four Brothers for Non-Traditional Staging by Lisa Loving Dalton

Chapter 3 Discovering the Delight






Exercise 3.1: Qualities of Movement/Elemental Physicality 1(Based on MC Tool Quality of Movement)



Exercise 3.2: Elemental Movement Quality (Based on MC tools Qualities of Movement)



Exercise 3.3: The Rapture (Based on MC/NMCA's tools Sister Sensations and Veiling)



Exercise 3.4: The Trinity of Psychology: Thinking, Feeling, Willing (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 3.5: Stupid, Fat and Smelly: Imaginary Body Breath Work (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Samantha Norton



Advice From the Pros: Directing on the Thrust Stage: The Two-Room vs. One-Room Concept by Ed Menta

Chapter 4: Embodying 3-Dimensional Resonance






Exercise 4.1: Avatar (Based on MC tool Imaginary Bodies)



Exercise 4.2: Time Machine (Based on MC tools Back-Space/Front-Space)



Exercise 4.3: Project your Energy (Based on MC tool Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 4.4: Filling space - The Full Body Dance (Based on MC tools Expansion & Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 4.5: Bring Them In (Based on MC ideas on Receiving)



Exercise 4.6: Expanding from the Self into Outer Space (Based on MC tool Focal Points) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 4.7: Getting it off Our Chest: Freeing the Tension in the Chest, Shoulders, Neck and Jaw (Inspired by MC ideas of Sensations: Falling) Exercise from Samantha Norton



Advice From the Pros: Lighting in non-proscenium spaces By Heath Hansum

Chapter 5: Crafting the Rhythm of Truth






Exercise 5.1: Managing Mind Sweat (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)



Exercise 5.2: Walking Meditation (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)



Exercise 5.3: The Matrix (Based on MC Tool Concentration)



Exercise 5.4: Ball Work (Based on MC Tools The 4 Brothers)



Exercise 5.5: Origins (Based on MC Tool Centers)



Exercise 5.6: Suitcase (Based on MC Tool Centers)



Exercise 5.7: From Stillness to Chaos: Physical Rhythms (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 5.8: Musical Cues: Inner and Outer Motivation (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 5.9: Vroom Vroom (Inspired by MC ideas of Feeling of Ease) Exercise from Samantha Norton



Advice From the Pros: On Acting and Directing in the Arena—Or, Give Me Back My Third Dimension by Lynn Musgrave

Chapter 6: Sharing the Treasures






Exercise 6.1: The Refrain (Based on MC tool Psychological Gesture)



Exercise 6.2: Bubble (Based on MC's tool Personal Atmosphere)



Exercise 6.3: Character Gestures: Vary the Repetition (Based on MC tools Psychological Gesture and Jewelry) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 6.4: Music as Character: Your Inner Monologue (Inspired by MC's ideas on Active Analysis) Exercise from Wil Kilroy



Exercise 6.5 Tornado (Based on MC tool Personal Atmosphere) Exercise from Samantha Norton



Advice From the Pros: Costuming in the Round, A Question of your Point of View by Sue Picinich

Chapter 7: Entering the Experience






Exercise 7.1: The Helpers (Based on MC tools Concentration, Radiating and Receiving, Merging)



Exercise 7.2: Revelation Spell (Inspired by MC's Ideas on The Higher Ego & Ensemble)



Exercise 7.3: Gifts (Inspired by MC's ideas on Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Beauty)



Exercise 7.4 Upgrade (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, and Sensations)



Exercise 7.5 Gifts & Upgrade Combined (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality and Jewelry)



Exercise 7.6 The Garden (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Form)



Exercise 7.7 Beauty Quilt (Inspired by MC's ideas of Higher Edo, Creative Individuality and Beauty)



Exercise 7.8 Good Vibrations (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble) from Samantha Norton



Exercise 7.9 Holiday Fun (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble)



Exercise 7.10 Angel Walk (Inspired by on MC's ideas of Ensemble, Creative Individuality, Beauty and the Universal Unconscious) Exercise from Wil Kilroy and NMCA



Advice From the Pros: The Power of Suggestion by Karel Blakely

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Appendix: List of Exercises Categorized by Corresponding Michael Chekhov Tools

Bibliography

Biographies of Author and Contributors

Index