6 Weeks for Directors

6 Week Course - International Lab

For Choreographers, Movement Directors,

Directors of Physical Theatre

Dates provided upon request, contact us

Russian Repertory Theatre

The Lab offers a unique opportunity to become the part of the international multidisciplinary artistic team and to take part in the performance production at the Russian repertory theatre.

10 - 17 June, 2019 - Austria

9 - 14 July, 2019 - Germany

26 - 31 August, 2019 - Germany

22 - 29 November, 2019 - Austria

24 - 31 January, 2020 - Austria

I. Practical Preparatory Session - short intensive workshop.

Before going to Russia candidates take part in the preparatory workshop which includes intensive practical training and acquaintance with the candidates. The preparatory workshop is compulsory for choreographers and directors who wish to continue their practice in Russia.

Please bear in mind that participants can be accepted in the group for the third practical phase at the Russian repertory theatre only after having participated in the preparatory workshop. Candidates can choose the preferred dates of the preparatory workshop:

The programme consists of the three phases:

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This Lab offers the unique opportunity of growth for aspiring directors and choreographers who wish to step out of their comfort zone, overcome challenges, try new things, gain new insights and build resilience in their professional work. The project will be particularly relevant and valuable to individuals interested to find new international network opportunities and collaboration.

The programme mission is to create the fascinating encounter of different arts in multicultural and multilingual artistic environment, to encourage participants to go beyond what they already know or are used to apply in their work relying on and inspired by this unique collaboration. The creative team will consist of representatives from various professional backgrounds with different areas of expertise in performing arts - directors, choreographers, actors, dancers, film and video makers from different countries.

The 6-week intensive Lab is organized in the framework of the Theatre Directing Lab - IUGTE

Department which offers unique “launchpad” opportunities for directors from all over the world and working in various creative genres, techniques and styles. The programme will be particularly relevant and valuable to directors interested to find new international network opportunities and collaboration.

Siu Hei Chung, Hong Kong

"You changed my entire approach to acting and directing that my students and I will treasure forever. It's wonderful to see that you continue to spread your technique to theatre artists from around the world."

Lorna Strand (USA)

"The methods and techniques that I experienced were varied and I could relate to them from my own practice but these were of a deeper level and intensity in terms of action and energy. The style of taking a participant, be it a director or an actor was of equality and an openness to ‘play’ it was this sense of safety and clarity that enabled the theatre moments to spark off one another. I am committed to the development of my directing craft within an international context and becoming pat of the IUGTE theatre family has made my vision clearer of creating new work by giving way to more questions about identity, action and story. I hope to continue my journey with IUGTE and to continue to deepen the excellence of my directing".

Nazli Tabatabai, UK

"I greatly miss everyone I met and worked with in the workshop and I truly hope that I can work with all of them again one day. I ended the workshop on a positive note, knowing that I have grown and developed in my acting skills - with knowledge that I can also impart to my very own young speech and drama students in Singapore".

Jamie Shawn Tan, Singapore

"Throughout my long career in theatre I have had the chance to study with a great number of instructors, unfortunately an excessively great number of them were a waist of my time, where I had to force myself to find what was it exactly the thing I was learning. I am so grateful that you made this few days of training so creatively rich. There was so much substance to work with and develop, that the time seemed to be always too little".

Daniel Dewald, Finland

"As I look back on the workshop I realise I’ve taken the first steps in my journey to develop a coherent way of working, and of thinking like a director. I’ve been shown the key to form, style, atmosphere and the emotional palette in contemporary performance. I know now the job of a director is to hold the attention of the spectator ‘always’, and to think about what makes the spectator respond ‘constantly’"

Donna Maria Banicevich Gera, New Zealand

Audrey Jenkinson, UK

"I learnt how to give clear and brief instructions to actors through the process I was given instructions. Compared with knowledge learnt through words, what I could learn through body was wisdom, which might last longer with a greater effect. As a director, I realized that getting actors involved and experienced somatically was much more effective than intellectual discussions".

"I loved the international aspect of the group, connecting with people from different cultures and the cross-disciplines of actors, directors and choreographers. I enjoyed the social outings to dinner and the laughs, fun and conversations we shared. It was stimulating to discover how other people made theatre work in their country and what challenges they faced, both personally and professionally."

III. Intensive Practice at the Russian Theatre - actual practical phase in Russia.

Participants travel to the Russian repertory theatre to take part in rehearsals and performance preparation as the Assistants of the Artistic Director of the project, theatre director, teacher, the Head of the Russian Theatre Department, Sergei Ostrenko. Participants will take part in practical training, observe the rehearsals and assist in creative process.

II. Distant Preparatory Assignments - distant preparation before going to Russian Theatre. Participants receive the series of creative tasks by email and send email reports on the completed tasks on scheduled basis, which include analysis and preparation of the creative material, developing ideas, structure, etc.

During their practice participants will be able to learn how to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Russian repertory theatre is a complicated mechanism with numerous departments, huge staff, and large scale activities going on simultaneously. During the project at the Russian theatre by observing, assisting and participating in rehearsals participants will have opportunity to acquire practical understanding on how to work with actors and how to develop a variety of relationships with all kind of professionals - technical crew, artistic crew, performers, audiences, boards of management, etc. in order to develop a practical knowledge applied to a specific project in a repertory theatre.

PROGRAMME CONTENTS

Participants will have opportunity to become acquainted with the key principles of a director's preparation under Ostrenko Method, which is formed and inspired by the Russian Theatre Tradition. The programme focuses on gaining the necessary practical tools in order to create a drama performance: analysis of the material and composition of the performance idea, composition of the form and the artistic space of the performance, development of a directing strategy, of a method of work with the actors and of a successful rehearsals planning.

Theatre performance is the mutually complementary creation and the team work of a playwright, director, stage designer, composer, choreographer, actors, lighting designer, sound designer, etc. No matter how interesting the work of one of the creators could be, it will not have any artistic value existing by itself alone, not referring to all the other components that make up the harmony of the performance. Participants will gain practical understanding how to collaborate with creative team of leaders in different aspects of the production considering joint ideas on performance vision, style, script, music and other elements offered by the members of the creative team.

The programme offers the unique opportunity to gain helpful practical tools and valuable tips for mounting a contemporary performance, to acquire a reliable practical toolkit for creating contemporary professional productions in limited rehearsal time.

LAB OBJECTIVES

  • To provide unique international space stimulating creativeness;

  • To create opportunity for new experience of creative collaboration in multicultural and multilingual theatre environment;

  • To study practically the heritage of the Russian Theatre Tradition as the source of precious knowledge for directors in contemporary theatre;

  • To inspire the search of the universal “intercultural” language in contemporary performance;

  • To provide a safe place for creative risks and challenging environment for new professional skills - on the way to light, creative and joyful performance.

The working languages are English and Russian (knowledge of one of the languages is sufficient).

CERTIFICATION

Participants who successfully finish the Lab can receive IUGTE Certificate.

REGISTRATION

*Candidates who are unable to join the 9-week Lab may apply for the 3-week intensive practical Lab.

The participation in the preparatory workshop is not compulsory in this case.

For registration conditions and more practical details, please Contact Us.

- Letter of motivation stating interest in joining the Lab.

- Detailed CV.

- Latest head shot and 2-3 additional photos.

- Any information confirming professional directing experience: web links to past projects and performances, photo, video, reviews, articles, interviews, etc.

The group is forming on a competitive basis. Only several spots are available.

For application and more practical details, candidates should send the following documents to iugte.projects@gmail.com

Welcome to IUGTE Photo Gallery of the Past Projects!

Organized by IUGTE in collaboration with "ArtUniverse"

For partners and collaborators: if you are interested in having this project at your theatre, university, organization, etc. please contact us for practical details.