Moving Into Language is an approach to acting created specifically for trained dancers; taking what they know & understand so deeply about their bodies and using that as the foundation for their acting explorations. Dancers will learn how to use movement as a launching pad for building character, unlocking a scene and arriving at a unique interpretation of spoken material. They will gain greater access to their voice by seeing it as simply a natural progression of a scene’s physical expression. And they will acquire the necessary tools to independently prepare a scene/monologue so they can arrive at an audition or rehearsal creatively full & ready to play.
We'll begin with a series of physical improvisations aimed at tapping into the dancer’s impulses and at generating a sense of freedom & play in their initial experience of the text. The dancer will be released from any pressure to perform the words and encouraged to discover the world that exists around the words. They will learn to inhabit a character’s circumstances & point-of-view, and how to place that character within the dynamics of the scene.
Based on the discoveries made through these improvisations, we'll progress towards creating a score for the text. This will represent the dancer’s interpretation of the material, an amalgamation of the discoveries they made in earlier lessons and the choices they’d like to make now to solidify their unique performance of the material. We’ll practice how to “play” this roadmap, while allowing new impulses, as well as feelings/emotions/opinions, to arise. This training in how to prepare encompasses the essential first steps of the acting process; it takes the dancer through a period of exploration and invention, then into a conscious process of selection and refinement, and back into a state of discovery as unconscious reactions/feelings begin to arise at the time of performance.
With this method of working established, we’ll finish by looking at how to apply it to a wide variety of material. We’ll explore the humanity and immediacy in more heightened texts, as well as the fullness and complexity in very stripped-down naturalism. Dancers will also have an opportunity to bring in audition material, poetry, pieces of their own writing or texts that they’d like use in their choreographic work.
All the material described above is broken down into three essential components; Exploring, Interpreting and Playing. Workshops can focus on a single component, or take students through all three over a longer period of time.
"I cannot wait to take Charlotte's workshops again. Instead of feeling like I was starting from zero, Charlotte gave me the tools to approach text using the physical intelligence that I already had as a dancer. This enriched my practice as a performer on the whole and made me want to dare greater when jumping into a new room! Charlotte's way of working on text also gave me so much information about my body. I was excited about making movement material afterwards from a different perspective. And using my voice became such a thrill!" ~ Arika Yamada, dancer with Goteborg Opera
"Training with Charlotte has been an absolute godsend! She encourages you to be unrelentingly creative in how you approach material, which has helped me grow in all facets of my artistic life and allowed me to find a new sense of agency over my choices and my contributions." ~ Mark Osmundsen, dancer with Company XIV
WEEKLY CLASS & workshops
GIBNEY's Virtual Workshops Series -- Moving into Language: ‘Shakespeare' Saturday April 17th and 24th, 3-6pm EST Class price: $40 per session. Students can attend either day or both as desired. Description: In this workshop, we’ll use physical explorations to break down the veneer of unfamiliar language that can stand between Shakespeare’s characters and our own humanity; to reframe the complexity of his poetry as a masterful representation of the complexities of the human mind and heart. We’ll work on embodying his rhythms and imagery, and on transforming intricate thoughts into actions that are driven by real and immediate needs. Participants will have the opportunity to delve into some of Shakespeare’s greatest characters and speeches, gaining a deeper understanding of their tangible humanness and timeless relevance. NOTE: No experience with acting or Shakespeare is required, and no preparation will be necessary. **CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS and TO REGISTER!**
Weekly Drop-in Class -- Tuesdays from 3-5pm EST TAUGHT VIA ZOOM. Start Date: Tuesday Feb 16th, 2021. Class Price: $15 Description: ‘Moving into Language’ encompasses the essential first steps of the acting process; it takes the dancer through a period of physically-driven exploration and invention, then into a conscious process of selection and refinement, and back into a state of discovery as unconscious reactions/feelings arise at the time of performance. Each weekly class will offer dancers an opportunity to explore different steps along this journey by providing a supportive and curious environment in which to practice making & playing specific choices, while also allowing new impulses to emerge. We will explore strategies for staying private in public (while still meeting the demands of a stage, or on-camera setting) and tips for dealing with anxieties about speaking or playing a character in front of an audience. Students are encouraged to have a piece of material of their choosing to work on in class, or to bring in material they have received for auditions that can be workshopped as part of their preparation. **Email {cbydwell@gmail.com} for more details and to receive the Zoom link to join!