Jerzy Gtotowski Flashcards
What year did Grotowski publish his theory of acting book?
1968
What was the name of the book Grotowski published?
Towards a Poor Theatre
What does ‘revolutionised mean?”
Completely changed
At the time “Towards a Poor Theatre” was very ……., but it also ……… the world of drama.
Controversial
Revolutionised
What is Grotowski recognised as today?
One of the great great directors of the modern theatre and a significant innovator of experimental theatre.
What did Grotowski call his theory of acting?
Poor theatre
Why was it called ‘poor’?
Because he recommended getting rid of all the unnecessary and rich excesses of drama.
What did Grotoswki say should be removed?
All superficial distractions
What were examples of things Grotowski saw as distractions?
Detailed costumes Heavy theatrical make-up A set Backdrop Sound and music special effects
What did Grotowski feel had happened over time?
People had mistaken the real focus of drama.
What did Grotowski believe actors should reply on alone?
Well-trained voices
Well-trained bodies
What is the core of Poor Theatre?
What the performer brings: Physically Vocally Emotionally Psychologically
What was Jerzy Grotowski?
A Polish theatre director. 🇵🇱
What are the 5 aspects of Poor Theatre?
- The Holy Actor
- Via Negativa
- Actor-Audience Relationship
- Staging
- Physical
What does the concept of Holy Actor explain?
That performers should make gifts of themselves.
What must Holy Actors concentrate on?
All movements and sounds.
Why does the Holy Actor have to understand everything about themselves so well?
So they are in control and able to ‘get rid of’ their own characteristics.
Who in history did Grotowski recommend thinking back to that he saw evidence of the Holy Actor in?
Primitive tribes.
Grotowski was more interested in the ……. …… of acting.
Rehearsal process
What is Via Negativa?
The process to becoming a holy actor.
Means: uncluttering of the mind.
Grotowski believed that the world is made up of …….
Systems
What do actors have to be in order to remove their own systems and replace these with a character?
Become completely in tune with their own mind and body.
What does the actor have to become completely aware of in Via Negativa?
Their own: Heartbeat Breathing patterns Natural movements of the face Habits Mannerisms Posture Hand positions
What 3 things can self awareness be achieved through?
- absolute silence from all present.
- exclusion of all distracting thoughts from the mind.
- intense concentration on respiration and every movement of the body.
True or false:
Grotowski felt that the ceremony of drama could best be carried out only if there was a small-sized audience.
True.
With a small audience the Holy Actor was able to connect ……. with them.
Spiritually
What was poor theatre for, and what was it not for?
For: the sharing of profound experience.
Not for: applause and profit.
According to Grotowski, drama exists to ……… ……. ……. ……, not cultural needs.
Satisfy human spiritual needs.
What does Grotowski compare going to the theatre to?
Going to a church or temple
What do both the church and theatre have?
Doers and observers
What did Grotowski recommend for staging?
A bare and truthful acting space/
True or false:
A poor theatre area includes the ‘easy’ luxuries of modern technology.
False.
What did Grotowski hate about stages?
They seperate/divide the performers from the audience.
He believes they’re of equal importance.
Where did Grotowski prefer acting to take place?
Simple large room or small hall.
True or false:
Grotowski said that people had mistakenly started believing only in superficial Rich Theatre.
True
What does the term “Para Theatrical” mean?
Reducing any gap between the actor and the audience.
What type of props and acting areas did Grotowski prefer?
‘Ambiguous’ acting areas and props.
Describe ambiguous acting areas and props.
Versatile and can be transformed by using the imagination.
Does not have a specific shape or limited function.
What does Grotowski say his actors must do?
Exercise
What are the 2 reasons Grotowski makes his actors exercise?
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.
What are two exercises Grotowski’s actors were required to do?
Yoga and meditation
What was meditation supposed to help with?
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.
