Susanne Bentley
Embodying Text

Embodying Text Improvised physical play with words for dancers and movers Using the body as our instrument is the daily practice of a dancer, but how to add vocal expression to our performing? How to feed voice or text back into our bodies as inspiration for movement? This workshop opens the toolbox to the use of the voice in improvised performance, for dancers or movers in the performing and circus arts: skills that can also be transferred to the creation of set performance material. Inspired by Al Wunder’s Theatre of the Ordinary, Ruth Zaporah’s Action Theater and the work of Andrew Morrish, this workshop promotes an experiential way of learning. Participants discover what they like doing, what they like seeing and take responsibility for developing their own style of theatrical self-presentation. We start warming up the body and voice using a variety of images and exercises focused towards certain themes for each day. This moves into performances for other participants where we learn by doing and watching. The experience of creating with a public present is an essential part of the process. Feedback sessions help both, the performer and the audience, to evaluate their preferences, strengths and foci and to further improve the experience from both angles.