Jerzy Gtotowski

Question 1

What year did Grotowski publish his theory of acting book?

Answer 1

1968

Question 2

What was the name of the book Grotowski published?

Answer 2

Towards a Poor Theatre

Question 3

What does ‘revolutionised mean?”

Answer 3

Completely changed

Question 4

At the time “Towards a Poor Theatre” was very ……., but it also ……… the world of drama.

Answer 4

Controversial

Revolutionised

Question 5

What is Grotowski recognised as today?

Answer 5

One of the great great directors of the modern theatre and a significant innovator of experimental theatre.

Question 6

What did Grotowski call his theory of acting?

Answer 6

Poor theatre

Question 7

Why was it called ‘poor’?

Answer 7

Because he recommended getting rid of all the unnecessary and rich excesses of drama.

Question 8

What did Grotoswki say should be removed?

Answer 8

All superficial distractions

Question 9

What were examples of things Grotowski saw as distractions?

Answer 9

Detailed costumes
Heavy theatrical make-up
A set
Backdrop
Sound and music special effects

Question 10

What did Grotowski feel had happened over time?

Answer 10

People had mistaken the real focus of drama.

Question 11

What did Grotowski believe actors should reply on alone?

Answer 11

Well-trained voices

Well-trained bodies

Question 12

What is the core of Poor Theatre?

Answer 12

What the performer brings:
Physically
Vocally
Emotionally
Psychologically

Question 13

What was Jerzy Grotowski?

Answer 13

A Polish theatre director. 🇵🇱

Question 14

What are the 5 aspects of Poor Theatre?

Answer 14

1. The Holy Actor
2. Via Negativa
3. Actor-Audience Relationship
4. Staging
5. Physical

Question 15

What does the concept of Holy Actor explain?

Answer 15

That performers should make gifts of themselves.

Question 16

What must Holy Actors concentrate on?

Answer 16

All movements and sounds.

Question 17

Why does the Holy Actor have to understand everything about themselves so well?

Answer 17

So they are in control and able to ‘get rid of’ their own characteristics.

Question 18

Who in history did Grotowski recommend thinking back to that he saw evidence of the Holy Actor in?

Answer 18

Primitive tribes.

Question 19

Grotowski was more interested in the ……. …… of acting.

Answer 19

Rehearsal process

Question 20

What is Via Negativa?

Answer 20

The process to becoming a holy actor.

Means: uncluttering of the mind.

Question 21

Grotowski believed that the world is made up of …….

Answer 21

Systems

Question 22

What do actors have to be in order to remove their own systems and replace these with a character?

Answer 22

Become completely in tune with their own mind and body.

Question 23

What does the actor have to become completely aware of in Via Negativa?

Answer 23

Their own:
Heartbeat
Breathing patterns
Natural movements of the face
Habits
Mannerisms 
Posture
Hand positions

Question 24

What 3 things can self awareness be achieved through?

Answer 24

• absolute silence from all present.
• exclusion of all distracting thoughts from the mind.
• intense concentration on respiration and every movement of the body.

Question 25

True or false:

Grotowski felt that the ceremony of drama could best be carried out only if there was a small-sized audience.

Answer 25

True.

Question 26

With a small audience the Holy Actor was able to connect ……. with them.

Answer 26

Spiritually

Question 27

What was poor theatre for, and what was it not for?

Answer 27

For: the sharing of profound experience.

Not for: applause and profit.

Question 28

According to Grotowski, drama exists to ……… ……. ……. ……, not cultural needs.

Answer 28

Satisfy human spiritual needs.

Question 29

What does Grotowski compare going to the theatre to?

Answer 29

Going to a church or temple

Question 30

What do both the church and theatre have?

Answer 30

Doers and observers

Question 31

What did Grotowski recommend for staging?

Answer 31

A bare and truthful acting space/

Question 32

True or false:

A poor theatre area includes the ‘easy’ luxuries of modern technology.

Answer 32

False.

Question 33

What did Grotowski hate about stages?

Answer 33

They seperate/divide the performers from the audience.

He believes they’re of equal importance.

Question 34

Where did Grotowski prefer acting to take place?

Answer 34

Simple large room or small hall.

Question 35

True or false:

Grotowski said that people had mistakenly started believing only in superficial Rich Theatre.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

What does the term “Para Theatrical” mean?

Answer 36

Reducing any gap between the actor and the audience.

Question 37

What type of props and acting areas did Grotowski prefer?

Answer 37

‘Ambiguous’ acting areas and props.

Question 38

Describe ambiguous acting areas and props.

Answer 38

Versatile and can be transformed by using the imagination.

Does not have a specific shape or limited function.

Question 39

What does Grotowski say his actors must do?

Answer 39

Exercise

Question 40

What are the 2 reasons Grotowski makes his actors exercise?

Answer 40

Makes the body stronger: more supple and flexible and becomes a better tool for performance.

Exercise is demanding. Helps break down ‘systems’ and builds up an actors ability. A physically fit actor is stronger mentally and emotionally.

Question 41

What are two exercises Grotowski’s actors were required to do?

Answer 41

Yoga and meditation

Question 42

What was meditation supposed to help with?

Answer 42

Empty the mind of superficial worries and distractions.

Only once becoming an empty vessel could the actor become ‘holy’ with the sounds and movements of the character.