RUMINATING

Exercise Advanced 30 min 1–1

Description

This exercise is designed for very advanced students. It involves a single player setting up a double scene that explores a significant past incident in their life.

The player establishes two layers: the first layer consists of the on-stage environment with the Where, Who, and What elements of the past incident; the second layer continues to focus on that incident.

Setup Requirements

Space for a single performer to act out the exercise.

Point of Concentration

Focus on a past incident.

Side Coaching

Concentrate on the objects in your surroundings.
Visualize the people involved in the past incident.
Let the memories come forth organically without explicitly stating them.

Points of Observation

Watch for emotional engagement as the player reflects on the past incident.
Observe if the scene shifts into a narrative about the past.
If it feels rushed, the exercise may be introduced too soon; revisit earlier exercises.

Evaluation

How did the player connect with the past incident?
What subtleties emerged during the performance?
Was the emotional content effectively conveyed?

Examples

Example Scenario:

Where: musty den
Who: old man of 65
What: working on his stamp collection

And the Past Incident:

Where: at work
Who: fellow employees
What: farewell party retiring him