Creative Physicality with Soul Strata Theater
IRT Theater
New York, NY
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Creative Physicality with Soul Strata Theater
Recent IRT residents, Soul Strata Theater successfully combined sign language, spoken word, music, and dance to create OF RIVERS, OF DAYS, an adaptation of Henry David Thoreau's first book, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. Danyon Davis and Alexandria Wailes of Soul Strata Theater will be sharing some of their unique techniques they employ to develop in their brand of progressive physical theater over a three-night set of workshops.

All workshops at IRT: 154 Christopher Street #3B (3rd floor)
$45 for all 3; $20 per drop-in

1. INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE PHYSICALITY, with Soul Strata Theater
Tuesday, March 8th :: 7-9pm

Recent 3B residents, Soul Strata Theater successfully combined sign language, spoken word, music, and dance to create OF RIVERS, OF DAYS, an adaptation of Henry David Thoreau's first book, 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers'. Danyon Davis and Alexandria Wailes of Soul Strata Theater will be sharing some of the unique techniques they employ to develop their brand of progressive physical theater over a three-night set of workshops.

The first night is an introduction to the work. Participants will engage in a movement class that will begin to open you physically, as you prepare to focus on developing your physical expression. We will playfully wake up your coordination, flexibility, and strength in order to begin physically channeling your imagination, instinct, and emotions. We will also begin to look at what it means to physically embody story and language by making meaning with the body. The class will be accessible to Deaf people and hearing people, alike.

2. DYNAMIC NON-VERBAL ACTING, with Alexandria Wailes
Wednesday, March 9th :: 7-9pm

This is a workshop primarily for advanced ASL users with acting experience who are interested in taking their abilities to the next level. This workshop will help you to develop and hone your creativity and imagination, become a better performer, and add your voice to the innovative changes that are being made at the forefront of sign language in performance.

Participants will experience a part of the process that accomplished actress Alexandria Wailes uses when interpreting classical text into accessible sign. Alexandria will first lead the group in a discussion of archaic sign languages and the dynamic ways in which sign language has evolved from previous eras, as well as how sign language can successfully be adapted in performance.

The workshop will help you develop new tools, artistically, to build a dynamic approach that honors the languages in use. Participants will be paired up and given a passage of Henry David Thoreau's writing. Each pair will develop and perform an interpretation of the writing, which will then be shared with the group and critiqued by Alexandria. Everyone will then collaborate in combining the interpretations. You will witness and experience how varying choices and interpretations can be derived from the same vocabulary.

3. THE ACTOR'S BODY, with Danyon Davis
Thursday, March 10th :: 7-9pm

This class is focused on linking the body and the imagination. The work is based on the work of the actor, but it is open to any performer or individual who wishes to be more "in their body", or more physically expressive. The classes will help you to think, feel, and act with your whole body. Participants will be led in rigorous and playful exercises that engage your core strength, isolate different parts of the body to build strength, and develop overall coordination of the body.

Working to develop your physical communication will enhance your ability to connect with others. Once your body is more open, you will be better able to listen with your entire body, which helps in the overall effort of being "alive" on stage. Creating compelling characters and being fully present on stage requires that you learn to better organize your body and your breathing. This workshop will help wake up your body "from your toes to your nose and up thru the fiery crown of your head", and help you to better engage the entire body in your art making experiences.


All workshops at IRT: 154 Christopher Street #3B (3rd floor)
$45 for all 3; $20 per drop-in

Location

IRT Theater
154 Christopher St., #B
New York, NY 10014
United States

Categories

Arts > Theatre

Kid Friendly: No
Dog Friendly: No
Non-Smoking: Yes!
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes!

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