The Embodied Humors

The Embodied Humors

6 days, 33 contact hours

Merry Conway has developed a progression of exercises that builds the ability to understand and inhabit – in an experiential way – the impact of these four temperaments on human beings and theatre characters, expecially (though not only) in Shakespeare’s and Elizabethan plays. This pedagogy reflects her research over eleven years, both reading Elizabethan medical texts and later interpretations, and working with a group of hardy colleagues and students to translate theory into workable technique.

For actors, this humoral approach provides a vital baseline that can inform a character’s fundamental life-rhythm and emotional landscape. The practice of inhabitation enlarges the actor’s performative range. The scope of the work can provide a bridge to playing much classical text. For directors, the work can provide a tool to approach the physical life of an actor.

For those outside the theatre, this study of macro/micro contextualization, which enlightens an awareness of being in the world, rather than just on the earth, can be a heartening and valuable exploration. There are interesting parallels to current thought, as for instance the Gaia theory among them, which address this macro-micro work which we are exploring. In David Abrams’ words: ”Sensory perception… is the silken web that binds our separate nervous systems into the encompassing ecosystem.”

The Humoral Tradition

Merry Conway’s Biography

Only 18 participants are admitted.
Register in time to ensure yourself a place!

Requirements

• Curiosity and ability to move around.
• Familiarity with Shakespeare’s works and text is helpful, though not imperative.
• Participants should bring a memorized Shakespeare monologue for use during the workshop.

Dates and Time

From Monday July 30th to Saturday August 4th

Day 1, 2, 3

Morning: 10.00am – 01.00pm;

Afternoon: 03.00pm – 06.00pm.

Day 4

Morning: 10.00am – 01.00pm;

Afternoon: Free pm to absorbe the material;

Day 5,6

Morning: 10.00am – 01.00pm;

Afternoon: 03.00pm – 06.00pm.

Workshop fee: € 460,00
The annual membership to the Association Kinesfera (€10,00) is required.