August 4 – October 6, 2014
The 9-week course offers a unique opportunity to become the part of the international multidisciplinary artistic team and to take part in the performance production with Russian professional actors at the Russian repertory theatre.
The project is organized in the framework of the Stage Directors Lab, IUGTE International Department which offers unique “launchpad” opportunities for directors and choreographers from all over the world working in various creative genres, techniques and styles.
LAB OBJECTIVES
- To study practically the heritage of the Russian Theatre Tradition as the source of precious knowledge for directors in contemporary theatre;
- To provide unique international space stimulating creativeness;
- To create opportunity for new experience of creative collaboration in multicultural and multilingual theatre environment;
- 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.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The programme consists of the three phases:
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.*
Participants can choose the dates and the location from the two options: Italy, May 16-24 or Austria, July 7-12.
II. Distant Preparatory Assignments – distant preparation before going to Russian Theatre.
After the preparatory workshop 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.
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 and analyze rehearsals, assist in creative process.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
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.
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.
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 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 and dancers.
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. Participants will gain helpful practical tools and valuable tips for mounting a performance, to acquire a reliable practical toolkit for creating contemporary professional productions in limited rehearsal time.
The course will be particularly relevant and valuable to individuals interested to find new international network opportunities and collaboration.
REGISTRATION FEE
Registration fee for Phase I (preparatory workshop in Italy or Austria): 450 EUR (early bird reduced registration fee) / 550 EUR.
Registration fee for Phase II and III: total amount 950 EUR (early bird reduced registration fee) / 1200 EUR
The fee covers participation in the programme.
Participants cover their own travel, accommodation, meals and medical insurance costs.
APPLICATION
The group is forming on a competitive basis. Only several spots are available.
For application, candidates should send the following documents to iugte.projects@gmail.com
- Letter of motivation stating interest in joining the Lab (please also indicate the preferred dates of the preparatory workshop).
- Detailed CV.
- Scanned copy of the passport/ID card.
- Scanned copy of the academic degree confirming professional education.
- Latest head shot and 2-3 additional photos.
- Any information confirming professional directing/choreographic experience:
web links to past projects, performances, photo, video, reviews, articles, interviews, etc.
The organizers will be glad to help participants in planning travel itinerary, information on accommodation options and practical details.
*Candidates who are unable to join the 9-week Lab may apply for the 3-week intensive practical Lab at Russian Theatre on August 4 – 25, 2014.
The participation in the preparatory workshop is not compulsory in this case.
The participation in the preparatory workshop is not compulsory in this case.
