Abstract:
The nascent actor needs to be able to recognize and define one’s boundaries and respect fellow actors´ boundaries when rehearsing and acting. However, as the expectations of the profession and the ethical sensitivities intervene in multiple ways, the task can be sometimes tricky. Therefore, we think that during their studies, actors should acquire knowledge of various boundaries (personal, social, structural etc.) and get tools to explore them and negotiate about them in diverse contexts.
To tackle this subject, we have created a study model called EXTREME which we have executed five times in the context of actor training. We have adopted principles of Exploratory Practice (Allwright 2003), positioning students as co-researchers and the theory of edge-emotions (Mälkki 2011; 2019) as a framework for the module. Edge-emotions are considered the biologically based and socially formed boundary structure of our minds at the edges of our comfort zones. The ability to linger safely around edge-emotions seems to form a gateway to work with boundaries.
Our workshop includes a presentation of the study module as well as collaborative experiments with the boundaries the attendees choose to explore. It suggests a new model for pedagogy that fosters brave but sustainable acting and provides practical tools for enhancing ethicality and well-being both in the actor training and in the performer’s profession.
BIO:
Tiina Syrjä, DA (Doctor of Arts in Theatre and Drama), University lecturer in voice and speech at Degree Programme in Theatre Arts in Tampere University, Finland. She is also speech therapist, vocologist, yoga instructor and teacher of the Alexander Technique and an actress and conductor in Playback Theatre Vox.
Samuli Nordberg, MA (Master of Arts in Choreography), University lecturer in movement and dance at Degree Programme in Theatre Arts in Tampere University, Finland. He is also dance artist, director, performer and currently working on his doctoral thesis, Embodied collective processes.