Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty-First Century: New Pathways

✍ Scribed by Cass Fleming; Tom Cornford

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 225
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The culmination of an innovative practice-based research project, Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty-First Century: New Pathways draws on clusters of historical writings and archive materials to investigate how Chekhov’s technique can be used for other areas of theatre-making practice.
In contrast to the narrow, actor training-only analysis that characterized 20th-century explorations of the technique, authors Cass Fleming and Tom Cornford, along with contributions from Caoimhe McAvinchey, Roanna Mitchell, Daron Oram and Sinéad Rushe, focus on a variety of disciplines. The areas explored are: devising and catalyst direction; collaborating with playwrights; and scenographic design, all of which are now at the forefront of international theatre practice.
The book also addresses the potential use of the technique in relation to other areas of performer-training, including voice, dance and actor movement, as well as looking beyond the theatre to applied performance and therapeutic contexts.
In addition to this practical analysis the authors consider the critical and theoretical issues that are raised by this practice. Chekhov’s metaphors and use of language are interrogated and developed in a way that stays true to his principles and methods, but simultaneously engages with contemporary perspectives and critical frames.
Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty-First Century: New Pathways is a thorough and fascinating investigation into new uses of the Michael Chekhov technique, providing practical strategies, principles, and techniques alongside theoretical discussion.

✦ Table of Contents

Title page
Copyright page
Dedication page
Contents
List of Illustrations
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Chekhov technique: Past, present and future
Section One Chekhov technique: Processes of theatre-making
Chapter 1: ‘Theatre of the future’: Chekhov technique for devised theatre and catalyst direction
Chapter 2: Actor-dramaturgs and atmospheric dramaturgies: Chekhov technique in processes of collaborative playwriting
Section Two Chekhov technique:Beyond acting
Chapter 3: The expressive voice in performance: Chekhov’s techniques for voice and singing
Chapter 4: ‘The moment you are not inwardly moving and inwardly participating, you are dead’: Chekhov technique in actor-movement and dance
Chapter 5: Feeling space, making space: Michael Chekhov’s approach to theatre design
Section Three Chekhov technique: Beyond the theatre
Chapter 6: ‘If the new theatre is to have meaning, the audience too must play its part’: Chekhov technique in applied, therapeutic and community contexts
Cross-currents and conclusions
Glossary of Michael Chekhov’s terminology
Bibliography
Index