Category Archives: Viewpoints

Testimonials and Images from UCD Viewpoints Workshop.

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Testimonials and Images from our Viewpoints and Creative Composition workshop in University College Dublin. Students from the Master’s Degree in Drama and Performance and Theatre Directing recently participated in a day long workshop as part of their Issues and Perspective module.

Co-facilitated by Aoife Connolly and Andrea Scott.

 

 

 

“ I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was inspirational. I learnt some excellent techniques”. Noirin Barrett, Music Teacher

 

“ You both have a lovely gentle presence that was very encouraging. I loved that it got me to focus in being in the present.” Sinead Kelly, Student

 

” I enjoyed it all. Very well structured and presented.” Sylvia Beatley, Student

 

 

“ The workshop was very well facilitated. I had a clear idea of what it was I was participating in. I enjoyed the individual sections of the viewpoints and then the collaboration at the end. It felt very rewarding. Well worth it! “. Liz Tyndall, Teacher

 

” I found the workshop very enjoyable. The girls really know what they teach.” Andrea Hynes, Student.

 

“ ( I really enjoyed) using viewpoints with movement and text. Great day! Thank you!” . Barbara Hughes, Student.

 

 

“ The workshop was really insightful. I learned so much! I would very much like to introduce the practice to future classes I teach as well as my own work as an actor”. Alexandra Sevakian, Actor/Teacher

 

” An honour to work with such open teachers and such an open group”. Simon Toal, Actor/Writer

 

“ I really enjoyed getting up on our feet and ensemble playing. It was well paced and mediated by the facilitators.” Shadaan, Student.

 

 

” The workshop helped with a deeper understanding of how to build a healthy productive rehearsal environment and a sense of ensemble”. Vincent A. O’Reilly, Director/Playwright

 

” I really enjoyed the workshop . You both made me feel at ease and comfortable with your style and knowledge. Thank you. ” Bryan Hogan, Actor

 

” It was awesome..It has given a much greater sense of ensemble and lots of ideas for future rehearsals” Liam Creen, Student

 

 

“ The workshop was very enjoyable. In particular the concept of impulses, raising of awareness, choices and freedom. Removing ego (from the practise)” Simon Keogh, Actor

 

” The workshop expanded my awareness of  using space and body in performance and is a more holistic approach to practise“. Lauren O’Toole, Actor

 

“The workshop really opens up your mind and body to both spacial awareness and (ensemble work). It would be wonderful if this lasted more than a module day”. Mary Hanson, Actress

 

To read more testimonials from past participants click here

Chekhov & Viewpoints Workshop Pics!

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Testimonials – Chekhov and Viewpoints Weekend Workshop in Galway

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Testimonials from participants on the Michael Chekhov and Viewpoints Weekend Workshop held in the Anno Santo Hotel, Salthill, Galway on Saturday July3rd and Sunday July 4th 2010. Co-Facilitated by Aoife Connolly and Sarah O’Toole.

I have never done anything like this before in my life and I have to say I really enjoyed it and learned alot so thank you both for that! ” – Aine Heavey, Teacher.

Great Ideas and exercises for directors and actors. Great value for money!! ” – Conor O’Grady,  Director

Both teachers were excellent in generating rapport with the group. An excellent weekend, there was never a dull moment!! ” – Trina Healy, Teacher.

I really enjoyed the weekend! I feel I’ve learned a whole new approach to characterisation.” – Darren Coppinger, Drama Student.

Considering I knew little about Chekhov and nothing about Viewpoints – I learnt lots!!! I really enjoyed learning about spatial awareness, sound, gesture and characterisation..” – Neasa O’ Callaghan, Drama Student.

The value I got from the weekend workshop was an appreciation and connection between mindfulness/awareness and (real presence) in acting.” -      Eric Van Cente , Health Worker.


Space 54 workshop pics!

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Testimonials from participants on the Viewpoints and Creative Composition Workshop in Space 54!

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Testimonials from participants on the 3day Viewpoints & Creative Composition Workshop held in Space 54, Smithfield, Dublin 7 on June 9th, 10 & 11th 2010. Co-Facilitated by Aoife Connolly and Andrea Scott.

Great facilitators, great space. Nice balance between feedback, free jams, focused exercises and composition. I think this work reveals itself. Helpful with my freelance drama facilitation and directing shows with the youth theatre, also helpful in devising pieces and physicalising text”. Aine Caulfield – Drama Facilitator

“Very well structured, allowing a clearly staged progression for participants. Highlights included training of kinetic memory, sensitivity to group work, expansion of spatial and temporal awareness; and freeing up of physicality and physical connection.” Duncan Keegan – Actor

The workshops helped me become ‘in tune’ with my own energy/ movement – a form of expression that encourages movement that is unselfconscious. The setting is perfect.  The group also taught me so much… The work is challenging but the intensity is fruitful.” Caroline Lynch – Teacher

I really enjoyed the course. Being vocally present in my entire body, becoming  aware of all vocal dynamics rather than simply the emotional element. I love Viewpoints! ” Eimear Lindsay – Actor

The workshop was of real value to my teaching work …. Helps to take focus off language, creates an awareness of group dynamics and reduce nerves and self consciousness.  Performance techniques are helpful to singing also. I learnt alot about physical awareness, movement and attention. Great feeling of mindfulness and presence.” Charlotte Rush  – Teacher

MICHAEL CHEKHOV & VIEWPOINTS WEEKEND WORKSHOP

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Venue : Anno Santo Hotel, Salthill, Galway.
Dates : Sat July 3rd and Sun July 4th 2010
Time : 10am – 5pm

ENQUIRIES or to book a place ring                087 2373531 or email bluepatchproductions@gmail.com.

The Michael Chekhov Technique – Chekhov is a holistic approach to awakening and expanding the individual’s artistic sensibility, uniting emotional sensation and physical expression in the body. These powerful imaginative tools create a strong sense of being “in the moment” in order to allow direct inspiration to flow through.
The workshop is open to all creative artists i.e. actors, directors, designers, dancers, musicians and students.

Viewpoints – There are nine viewpoints of space and time; Tempo, Duration, Kinesthetic Response, Repetition, Shape, Gesture, Architecture, Topography and Spatial Relationship. Once the ensemble has experienced working with each Viewpoint the course evolves to ‘open viewpoint’ improvisations i.e. jamming sessions. Space, shape, time, movement, emotion and story fuse together and ignite spontaneous creative play.

Facilitator Aoife Connolly, Artistic Director of Bluepatch Productions
Connolly first encountered The Michael Chekhov Technique in 1999 as an acting student of Jorg Andreas, Artistic director of The Michael Chekhov Studio in Berlin. She has continued her interest in the work ever since and spent the last half of her MA degree researching the value of Viewpoints and Chekhov practices in the context of  actor as creative artist for her final thesis. Aoife trained in Viewpoints and Suzuki with Internationally renowned theatre director Anne Bogart and SITI Co. in New York. Aoife believes both disciplines offer the participant powerful tools in developing physical presence and ensemble play; they give artists the freedom and creativity to explore, create and find new meaning and possibility in the art of theatre.

Facilitator Sarah O’Toole, Artistic Director of Anam Theatre
It was in Middlesex University’s unique International Theatre Directing MA degree course; O’Toole was introduced to the work of Michael Chekhov at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow. On returning to Galway she began teaching Chekhov-based acting skills in her classes for adults with Galway Actors Workshop and on the BA Connect programme at NUI, Galway. Her production of The Yalta Game for the Galway Theatre Festival last year was the first production from her new Irish-based company Anam, which is committed to exploring and developing Chekhov techniques and experimenting with different styles in order to present simple, elegant and engaging theatrical work.

3 day Viewpoints and Creative Composition Workshop

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A THREE DAY VIEWPOINTS and CREATIVE COMPOSITION WORKSHOP
For actors, directors, dancers, teachers, musicians, artists, students….
No experience necessary!

Location: Space 54, Smithfield, Dublin
Dates: 9th, 10th and 11th of June 2010
Time: 10am – 5pm

Booking: Tel 0876731479 / 0872694776 or email viewpointsireland@gmail.com

There are nine Viewpoints of space and time:

Tempo, Duration, Kinesthetic Response, Repetition, Shape, Gesture, Architecture, Topography and Spatial Relationship.

Composition builds on this toolkit adding theme and text to create original dramatic pieces.

Once the ensemble has experienced working with each Viewpoint the course evolves to ‘open viewpoint’ improvisations i.e. jamming sessions. Space, shape, time, movement, emotion and story fuse together and ignite spontaneous creative play.

This process offers essential performance skills promoting physical presence and ensemble play. Theatre makers develop key devising tools to generate bold theatrical work quickly as a common vocabulary is shared between artists.

On day one the class will be given a Composition Challenge and asked to work towards a presentation for our final day workshop. We will be exploring a specific theme to be announced on the day!

The 3 day workshop is Co-Facilitated by Aoife Connolly and Andrea Scott, both have trained with Anne Bogart and SITI Co. in New York.

‘The course was wholly practical; starting with the simple and layering progressively more challenging exercises on that structure until we were completely immersed in the work. The result for me was a feeling of being completely present in my work’ Eimear Lindsay – Actor

Viewpoints Course

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Learn to listen with the entire body!

This course is open to all levels of experience and is most useful to actors, directors, designers, musicians and choreographers; those who wish to develop their artistic potential.

Venue – The Lab, Foley Street

8 week course begins Thursday 28th January 2010

Time – 7pm – 9pm

To book a place 087 269 4776 or email viewpointsireland@gmail.com

Special Offer Alert : 10% discount if you book Viewpoints & Acting Course together!!

The Viewpoints course offers key devising tools in generating bold theatrical work quickly – the actors instincts are reawakened through creative play, developing flexibility, articulation, and strength in Movement and Speaking. As a result of this work essential performance skills are activated in the ensemble; such as spontaneity, trust, kinaesthetic response and spatial awareness. Theatre making becomes a more dynamic and creative process as a common vocabulary is shared between artists.

Co-Facilitated by Aoife Connolly and Andrea Scott, both have trained with Anne Bogart and SITI Co. in New York.

More about Viewpoints ……

Viewpoints were originally invented by Mary Overlie in New York 1979. Her six viewpoints were created to structure dance improvisation in time and space. Anne Bogart adapted and expanded these viewpoints to nine that were applicable to creating ‘viscerally dynamic moments of theatre’. These physical and vocal viewpoints train performers, build ensemble and create movement for the stage. We believe and experienced Viewpoints to be a powerful tool for developing creative potential.

Viewpoints Workshop

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Viewpoints PhotoViewpoints is a powerful improvisation technique promoting physical presence and ensemble play.This two day workshop is an introductory course into the nine different viewpoints created by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau.

Viewpoints work offers key devising tools in generating bold theatrical work quickly – the actors instincts are reawakened through creative play – developing flexibility, articulation, and strength in movement.

No experience is necessary! Places are limited so book early!

Aoife Connolly and Andrea Scott will facilitate the two day workshop. Both have trained in Viewpoints and Suzuki with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company in New York.

Dates: Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th of August 2009.

Time: 11- 4pm

To book a place or request further information :
Please ring 0872694776 or email  viewpointsireland@gmail.com