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Jacques Lecoq was born in Paris on December 15, 1921. In 1937 he began studying physical education and sport which he taught from 1941 to 1945, gaining teaching diplomas from the French athletics and swimming federations. His interest in physical education brought him into contact with Jean-Marie Conty, a master of physical education and friend of Antonin Artaud and Jean-Louis Barrault.
Jacques Lecoq was born in Paris on December 15, 1921. In 1937 he began studying physical education and sport which he taught from 1941 to 1945, gaining teaching diplomas from the French athletics and swimming federations. His interest in physical education brought him into contact with Jean-Marie Conty, a master of physical education and friend of Antonin Artaud and Jean-Louis Barrault.
By 1945 Jacques Lecoq had started acting with Gabriel Cousin and the two founded a drama group. He was then taken on by Jean Dasté as part of a theatre company known as the "Comédiens de Grenoble", where he was put in charge of the physical training and body movements of his fellow actors. Here he discovered masks and was introduced to the ideas of Copeau, to the point of later identifying with him as his indirect heir.
By 1945 Jacques Lecoq had started acting with Gabriel Cousin and the two founded a drama group. He was then taken on by Jean Dasté as part of a theatre company known as the "Comédiens de Grenoble", where he was put in charge of the physical training and body movements of his fellow actors. Here he discovered masks and was introduced to the ideas of Copeau, to the point of later identifying with him as his indirect heir.
In 1948 Jacques Lecoq went to Italy where he settled for eight years. He staged his first pantomimes at the university theatre in Padua, while in the city markets he discovered Commedia dell'Arte. He met the sculptor Amleto Sartori and together they embarked on research into masks, ultimately leading to joint projects including, inter alia, the "neutral mask". Invited by Giorgio Strehler and Paolo Grassi, he joined them for the launching of the school at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. Later ventures included work as a director and choreographer, working together with figures such as Dario Fo, Franco Parenti, Luciano Berio and Anna Magnani, pursuing the quest for new movements suited to contemporary music, reviews, opera, and devising movements for choruses in Greek tragedy in Syracuse.
In 1948 Jacques Lecoq went to Italy where he settled for eight years. He staged his first pantomimes at the university theatre in Padua, while in the city markets he discovered Commedia dell'Arte. He met the sculptor Amleto Sartori and together they embarked on research into masks, ultimately leading to joint projects including, inter alia, the "neutral mask". Invited by Giorgio Strehler and Paolo Grassi, he joined them for the launching of the school at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. Later ventures included work as a director and choreographer, working together with figures such as Dario Fo, Franco Parenti, Luciano Berio and Anna Magnani, pursuing the quest for new movements suited to contemporary music, reviews, opera, and devising movements for choruses in Greek tragedy in Syracuse.
In 1956 he came back to Paris and opened his School of Mime and Theatre. At the same time he set up his own theatre company, worked at the T.N.P. (National Popular Theatre) with Jean Vilar, and also on television, but before long the school had expanded and he devoted all his efforts to teaching.
In 1956 he came back to Paris and opened his School of Mime and Theatre. At the same time he set up his own theatre company, worked at the T.N.P. (National Popular Theatre) with Jean Vilar, and also on television, but before long the school had expanded and he devoted all his efforts to teaching.
From 1968 to 1988, Jacques Lecoq was a teacher at the French school of fine arts (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts) where he developed a teaching programme based on the human body, movement and the "dynamics of mime". In 1977 he founded the stage design department of the school, known as LEM (Laboratoire d'étude du mouvement - movement research laboratory). Jacques Lecoq was a member of the Union of Theatres of Europe, touring the world as guest teacher and speaker, giving master-classes and lectures, including the performance lecture entitled "Tout Bouge" (“Everything Moves”).
From 1968 to 1988, Jacques Lecoq was a teacher at the French school of fine arts (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts) where he developed a teaching programme based on the human body, movement and the "dynamics of mime". In 1977 he founded the stage design department of the school, known as LEM (Laboratoire d'étude du mouvement - movement research laboratory). Jacques Lecoq was a member of the Union of Theatres of Europe, touring the world as guest teacher and speaker, giving master-classes and lectures, including the performance lecture entitled "Tout Bouge" (“Everything Moves”).
Permanent video records were made by Patrick Lecoq in 1983. In 1997 and 1998, Jacques Lecoq worked in close partnership with Jean-Gabriel Carasso, Jean-Claude Lallias and Jean-Noël Roy, ultimately producing the book "Le Corps Poétique" and producing two 45-minute documentaries for French television.
Permanent video records were made by Patrick Lecoq in 1983. In 1997 and 1998, Jacques Lecoq worked in close partnership with Jean-Gabriel Carasso, Jean-Claude Lallias and Jean-Noël Roy, ultimately producing the book "Le Corps Poétique" and producing two 45-minute documentaries for French television.
Only a few days before his death, on January 19, 1999, Jacques Lecoq was still teaching at the school.
Only a few days before his death, on January 19, 1999, Jacques Lecoq was still teaching at the school.
The International theatre school Jacques Lecoq is now administrated by his wife, Fay Lecoq.
The International theatre school Jacques Lecoq is now administrated by his wife, Fay Lecoq.
On 5th December 1956, Jacques Lecoq founded the school in Paris. In 1976 the school definitively moved into The Central, previously a gymnasium, which became a well-known boxing centre in the beginning of the 20th century. The working space, built in 1876, is located 57 rue du faubourg SaintDenis in the 10th district of Paris. The aim of the school is to produce a young theatre of new work, generating performance languages which emphasise the physical playing of the actor. Creative work is constantly stimulated, largely through improvisation, which is also the first approach to playwriting. The school's sights are set on art theatre, but theatre education is broader than the theatre itself. It is not just a matter of training actors, but of educating theatre artists of all kinds: authors, directors, scenographers as well as actors. One of the school's unique features is to provide as broad and as durable a foundation as possible, since we know that each student will go on to make his own journey.
On 5th December 1956, Jacques Lecoq founded the school in Paris. In 1976 the school definitively moved into The Central, previously a gymnasium, which became a well-known boxing centre in the beginning of the 20th century. The working space, built in 1876, is located 57 rue du faubourg SaintDenis in the 10th district of Paris. The aim of the school is to produce a young theatre of new work, generating performance languages which emphasise the physical playing of the actor. Creative work is constantly stimulated, largely through improvisation, which is also the first approach to playwriting. The school's sights are set on art theatre, but theatre education is broader than the theatre itself. It is not just a matter of training actors, but of educating theatre artists of all kinds: authors, directors, scenographers as well as actors. One of the school's unique features is to provide as broad and as durable a foundation as possible, since we know that each student will go on to make his own journey.
Jacques LeCoq.mp4This news report is an excellent summary of the philosophies of Lecoq's teaching.
This news report is an excellent summary of the philosophies of Lecoq's teaching.
Contemporary Work influenced by Lecoq
Contemporary Work influenced by Lecoq
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