Training
About the Training
The primary focus of the training is on the body and how it serves an actor as a vehicle to investigating a text; as a pathway to action or character; and as an expressive tool in articulating the essence of a moment.
Both in contemporary text based theatre and non narrative trans-disciplinary forms the actor must recognize the specificity of his/her whole body in the space, and what this visual sign is saying to an audience. Participants will learn to identify and put into practice sophisticated and proficient physical articulation as well as practising body and voice integration with a text.
’We are looking for an external physicality dictated to by an internal source’
Foundations of Training
The foundation of the training is based on the philosophies and practice of past and present masters in the actor’s craft, namely Jerzy Grotowski, Etienne Decroux, Eugenio Barba, and Jacques Lecoq. It has also been based on the work of practitioners at the Victorian College of Arts such as Jenny Kemp, Marie Dumont and Leisa Shelton.
About the Teacher
Brenda Monaghan has recently been awarded a Fresh Grounds Grant (2011) with the Judith Wright Centre to continue to develop her new cross-disciplinary theatre piece 'Slow'. Brenda has trained at The Grotowski Institute in Brzezinka, Poland (2009) with Dawid Zakowski (Poland), Raul Iaiza (Argentina) & Roberta Secchi (Italy); Post graduate degree in ‘Methodologies for Actor Training’ at the Victorian College of the Arts (2008), one person chosen annually and where she was awarded ‘The Orloff Family scholarship’ for outstanding achievement in Post Graduate studies; in Paris at Ecole Philippe Gaulier and with Lilo Baur from Complicite (2003); with Krisztya Bodonyi in Eastern European theatre techniques (2000); Ashley Wain (Neutral Mask); June Jago (Shakespeare); completed a Bachelor in Acting at the Victorian College of the Arts (1996); founded Scatterbox Theatre Company, directing and producing five productions(2004-2007) including original works that toured with BCC; commissioned work by Southbank Corporation; seasons at Red Stitch Theatre (St Kilda, Melbourne) and at Metro Arts (Brisbane). She co devised and facilitated a theatre event and workshops for ‘Proper Job Theatre Company’ U.K. touring throughout Northern England (2009). She also worked as an actor professionally for ten years in film, television and the stage. Brenda has taught at ‘Monash University’ and ‘The National Theatre School’ in Melbourne (2009); Character Mask workshops at ‘Theatreworks’ St Kilda (2002) and in Brisbane (2005); has been teaching ‘Research & Development Labs’ to professional actors since May 2009 at ‘Dancehouse’ Carlton and ‘Napier St Theatre’ South Melbourne; and founded ‘The Actors Daily Practice Space’ (2010). She is currently teaching and directing at QUT University as well as at Griffith University in the Applied Theatre Program (2010 - 2011). Brenda has also been freelance coaching for professional dance and theatre company’s in Brisbane (2010 - 2011).
| Up & Coming Workshops |
| Brenda is currently in Stage 2 Creative Development of her new work 'Slow'. ADPS has an exciting year ahead and our 2012 Workshop schedule will be posted shortly! |
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'Without the presence of some type of established
structure the actor’s work quickly descends into chaos; it is impossible
for the actor to be truly creative if he lacks discipline and the capacity
for precision.'
~ Jerzy Grotowski