This acting workshop was designed to expand your imaginative range and was particularly useful for devising new work. By using archetypal masks such as The Trickster, The Huntress, The Child, The Crone, The Virgin, and The Victim, participants explored how to assume and embody personas that may be far beyond their personal experience. This approach allows for a fresh and unique perspective on texts and characters, enabling actors and creators to push the boundaries of their usual creative expression.

Through the use of these masks, participants discovered new ways to engage with material, stepping outside their comfort zones to develop entirely different approaches to performance and storytelling.

This workshop was organised by Living Pictures, as part of the Associate Artists Programme.

Going Beyond

Yourself

Dates and Times

Fri 25 October – Sun 27 October 2024

Location

Studio 3, London Performance Studios

25/10

27/10

About

Living Pictures is a sector-leading theatre training organisation that focuses on providing creative and professional development for theatre makers less represented in the arts. It was founded in 1999 by Elen and Robbie Bowman to provide training in Active Analysis and Meisner technique for directors and actors. In 2014, the organisation acquired a piece of land in Wales where it is now primarily based, which marked a shift in the organisation’s focus towards environmental and community initiatives, retreats alongside professional theatre training and stage productions. 

John Wright (he/him) is an award-winning international teacher and theatre-maker. He co-founded Trestle Theatre Company in 1980 and Told by an Idiot in 1993. He has worked on a string of productions and projects extending over three decades in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the UK, where his work has been seen at the National Theatre, the RSC, the Royal Court, the Almeida and the Royal Opera House.

He was granted a Greater London Arts Award for his contribution to professional training; and his belief that teaching is the greatest source of learning has enabled his ideas to be shaped and moulded by generations of students. He pioneered the teaching of Clown at university level and was one of the first people in the country to offer courses in devising.

He is the author of two books, Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy and Playing the Mask: Acting Without Bullshit.