The Actor-Creator: Rawmatterial’s Workshop Vol.2

‘In terms of working as an actor, it has made me more aware of my own potential in creating material, rather than responding to a director’s interpretation or vision. It has made me aware of my potential as a creator.’ Workshop participant, Actor-Creator Vol.1, Nov 2012

Applications are now open for Rawmatterial’s workshop on George Orwell’s 1984. Following the first phase in Autumn 2012 exploring the scenic presence of the actor via monologues (to read previous participants’ feedback please click here), we are continuing our journey focusing this time on scenes and dialogues. The actors will delve into the author’s text unveiling, through the practice of the étude, an original dramatic composition.

How to preserve the actor’s organicity and creative freedom? How is a scene or a dialogue between two actors, constructed in partnership within a structured improvisation? What entails the actor’s presence in the now, balancing equally between the author’s text, the self and the space?

Participants will be asked to have read Orwell’s 1984 and other textual material from a list which will be communicated in due time.

Sessions are led by actors and directors Maria Gaitanidi and Stéphane Poliakov from Rawmatterial. Their method of work is new to the UK and combines elements from two of the greatest Russian theatre practitioners Maria Knebel and Anatoli Vassiliev. The pedagogical approach aims at obliterating theatrical clichés, renewing the relationship to the poetic self of the actor in the world we live in today.

The workshop requires commitment, a hunger for experimenting on alternative artistic approaches, and a good sense of humour! Theatre professionals, actors, drama students and anyone interested are welcome to apply. You do not need to have attended the first phase of the laboratory or be familiar with the Russian school to participate, but simply be open to new horizons. Places are limited to 7 to ensure high quality of training both tailored to each participant’s needs and to the group as an ensemble.

When – 18 to 28 March 2012, 10am-4pm (Sun 24 March off)

How to apply – Please send a CV with a brief note explaining why you want to participate to Sylvain at info@rawmatterial.org. UK and international candidates are equally welcome to apply. Selected participants will be emailed details about what they have to prepare and other practical requirements. The spring workshop fee is £250 per participant.

Deadline for application – 5 March 2013

Where – venue tbc, likely to be London, Zone 1/2.

Beyond the spring workshop
The spring workshop is the second part of a threefold training initiative culminating in a performance in 2013. The third workshop series will take place in May 2013, leading to a selection of participants who will take part in our May 2013 performance in London.

About Rawmatterial
Founded by Artistic Director Maria Gaitanidi, Rawmatterial is an international collective of artists, who explore alternative performative approaches, notably the ‘speech as action’ and ‘ludic structures’ as developed by Russian theatre director Anatoli Vassiliev. No matter the text, language, space or mean – an intense, fluid action will rise from the performers, magnetizing audiences/witnesses to an unexpected flow. Building on our UK performances and workshops, we are creating the first theatre studio laboratory within the UK that explores those specific techniques. Find out more by navigating on our blog www.rawmatterial.org/blog

The Actor – Creator
Rawmatterial – Maria Gaitanidi & Stéphane Poliakov
29 October – 7 November 2012, London

APPLY BEFORE THE 20TH OF OCTOBER AND GET A FREE ACTOR’S SURGERY.

This intense 9 day workshop is part of a threefold training project culminating in a theatre performance (more details below). The first encounter will explore the scenic presence of the performer: What is our acting organicity? How do we become creators, with ourselves and the author as sources? Through structured improvisations based on literary texts and in the form of monologues, the actors will develop their own means of expression.

Sessions are led by actors and directors Maria Gaitanidi and Stéphane Poliakov from Rawmatterial. Their method of work is new to the UK and combines elements from two of the greatest Russian theatre practitioners Maria Knebel and Anatoli Vassiliev. The pedagogical approach aims at obliterating theatrical clichés, renewing the relationship to the poetic self of the actor in the world we live in today. The material of the sessions will be fuelled by Orwell’s 1984 and related literature such as Beckett’s short novels, amongst others.

The workshop requires commitment, a hunger for experimenting on alternative artistic approaches, and a good sense of humour! Theatre professionals, actors, drama students and anyone interested are welcome to apply. You do not need to be familiar with the work of Rawmatterial or the Russian school to participate, but simply be open to new horizons. Places are limited to 10, to ensure high quality of training both tailored to each participant’s needs and to the group as an ensemble.

When – 29 October to 7 November 2012, 11am-4pm (Sunday 4 November off)

How to apply – Please send a CV with a brief note explaining why you want to participate to Sylvain at info@rawmatterial.org. UK and international candidates are equally welcome to apply. Selected participants will be emailed details about what they have to prepare and other practical requirements. The autumn workshop fee is £250 per participant.

Deadline for application – 25 October 2012

Where – Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, London, WC2H 9BX

Beyond the autumn workshop
The autumn workshop is the first part of a threefold training initiative culminating in a performance in 2013. The second workshop series will take place in March 2013, leading to a selection of participants who will take part in our May 2013 performance in London.

About Rawmatterial
Founded by Artistic Director Maria Gaitanidi, Rawmatterial is an international collective of artists, who explore alternative performative approaches, notably the ‘speech as action’ and ‘ludic structures’ as developed by Russian theatre director Anatoli Vassiliev. No matter the text, language, space or mean – an intense, fluid action will rise from the performers, magnetizing audiences/witnesses to an unexpected flow. Building on our UK performances and workshops, we are creating the first theatre studio laboratory within the UK that explores those specific techniques. Find out more by navigating on our blog.