'In the language of the actor to know is synonymous with to feel.'

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Performance Studies: Drama (Alan)

The Language of Performing Arts

‘In the language of the actor to know is synonymous with to feel.’ (Ibid, Stabislavsky, Systems of rehearsal.)

This is where I feel that the language of performing arts is derived from. There is no right or wrong answer to ‘ What is the language of performing arts’ as everyone will perceive it differently. The language is something that you as an actor or audience must feel from inside. ‘The actor must dig inside himself for responses, but at the same time must be open to outside stimuli.’ (Peter Brook)

Many practical sessions help me to use and understand the improvise, rehearse and perform method. In one particular session, as a group we looked at a script entitled ‘Metamorphosis’ by Stephen Berkoff. These piece was challenging and we had to use physical shape and projection to it’s best advantage. Any problems that we had where solved by physicality. This piece demanded carefully planed physicality. We had to make sure we used the space to best advantage, as too, our bodies to create the correct tone we wanted to portray. Characterisation was also a strong working point for this piece. Each character demanded very different physical and spoken language to create their personalities. This workshop also helped us to uses our body language to it’s best advantage, and made sure our projection was clear. The improvising section gave me the chance to explore my character and play around with what I though the character would be like if it was real. ‘I know that everything by which I am surrounded on the stage…is all make-believe. But if it were real’ how would it be? (Stanislavsky.) The rehearse section gave me a chance to really stop worrying about my lines, but get inside my character. Become something other than myself, and really let me imagination run thought my character. The perform section is both enjoyable, and a great learning curve. It gives you the chance to see how other people view your performance, and to see weather or not you achieve as an actor, what you set out to. Yet you know that you can never go back to that moment, and that it is written on the wind, leaving you hanging wondering ‘what if I…..?’

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The reading of both ‘The Empty Space’ and ‘System of Rehearsal’ have helped me to gain more knowledge of the language of performing arts. Both books enabled me to read and understand that there is not ever just one answer or solution to a problem in a performance. After all ‘A play is play’ and every sound you make on the stage must be used wisely and choreographed down to every breath. Watching Steven Berkoff’s production of ‘East’ and ‘Metamorphosis’, gave me a chance to see how others use the language of performing arts. In ‘East’ he used lots ...

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