October 3-4

biomechanics

Instructor: Vladmir Rovinsky

Instructor

Vladimir Rovinsky received an MFA in directing from the St. Petersburg Academy of Theatre Arts, Russia. Before coming to America in 2000 he was working as a professional theatre director in Russia. He has been teaching acting since 1996 and has worked as a director, actor and teacher at several Universities and theatre companies in America and at several overseas programs in China, Canada, Puerto Rico and Russia. Rovinsky is a Professor of Theatre at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to his academic work, Vladimir is co-artistic director of Theatre Novi Most (“New Bridge Theatre”), based in Minneapolis, MN. A theatre company that combines theatre traditions of Russia and the United States. Its mission is creating new plays and performances that bridge disparate cultures, ideas, methodologies and linguistic barriers.

Biomechanics is the system of actor training developed by legendary Russian director Vsevolod Meyerhold in the 1920s as the study of the body in motion. The method was created by Meyerhold as an alternative to Stanislavsky's system and utilized grotesque and decidedly non-realistic artistic approaches.

The heart of the method is a study of so-called etudes or, series of specific physical positions, which string together to tell a story. The etudes require intense concentration and awareness as the actor moves through a series of still pictures with synchronization of body parts, negotiating a variety of time signatures and rhythms within the body.

Goals and benefits for students who work in Biomechanics include increased physical awareness, understanding of theatricality in the body, use of the body for storytelling, learning about psychophysical energy through application of rhythm, precision of movement, and expansion of physical expressiveness.

The workshop includes a brief introduction of Meyerhold’s ideas, physical warm-ups with wooden dowels, and learning excerpts from two etudes.

Who Should Apply

Actors, movers and creators at any stage of their journey. No experience required.

Schedule

Saturday, October 3
Sunday, October 4
10 am - 5 pm
(1 hour break 1-4 pm)

Free Public Workshop Showing:
Sunday, October 4
7 pm

Apply Here

$120 — Early Bird Tuition (by 9/26)
$180 — Full Tuition
A minimum $50 deposit is required to secure your spot in the intensive. Links for all payments will be emailed to you upon acceptance.
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