Jerzy Gtotowski Flashcards

(42 cards)

1
Q

What year did Grotowski publish his theory of acting book?

A

1968

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2
Q

What was the name of the book Grotowski published?

A

Towards a Poor Theatre

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3
Q

What does ‘revolutionised mean?”

A

Completely changed

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4
Q

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

A

Controversial

Revolutionised

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5
Q

What is Grotowski recognised as today?

A

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

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6
Q

What did Grotowski call his theory of acting?

A

Poor theatre

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7
Q

Why was it called ‘poor’?

A

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

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8
Q

What did Grotoswki say should be removed?

A

All superficial distractions

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9
Q

What were examples of things Grotowski saw as distractions?

A
Detailed costumes
Heavy theatrical make-up
A set
Backdrop
Sound and music special effects
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10
Q

What did Grotowski feel had happened over time?

A

People had mistaken the real focus of drama.

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11
Q

What did Grotowski believe actors should reply on alone?

A

Well-trained voices

Well-trained bodies

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12
Q

What is the core of Poor Theatre?

A
What the performer brings:
Physically
Vocally
Emotionally
Psychologically
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13
Q

What was Jerzy Grotowski?

A

A Polish theatre director. 🇵🇱

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14
Q

What are the 5 aspects of Poor Theatre?

A
  1. The Holy Actor
  2. Via Negativa
  3. Actor-Audience Relationship
  4. Staging
  5. Physical
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15
Q

What does the concept of Holy Actor explain?

A

That performers should make gifts of themselves.

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16
Q

What must Holy Actors concentrate on?

A

All movements and sounds.

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17
Q

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

A

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

18
Q

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

A

Primitive tribes.

19
Q

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

A

Rehearsal process

20
Q

What is Via Negativa?

A

The process to becoming a holy actor.

Means: uncluttering of the mind.

21
Q

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

22
Q

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

A

Become completely in tune with their own mind and body.

23
Q

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

A
Their own:
Heartbeat
Breathing patterns
Natural movements of the face
Habits
Mannerisms 
Posture
Hand positions
24
Q

What 3 things can self awareness be achieved through?

A
  • absolute silence from all present.
  • exclusion of all distracting thoughts from the mind.
  • intense concentration on respiration and every movement of the body.
25
True or false: | Grotowski felt that the ceremony of drama could best be carried out only if there was a small-sized audience.
True.
26
With a small audience the Holy Actor was able to connect ……. with them.
Spiritually
27
What was poor theatre for, and what was it not for?
For: the sharing of profound experience. Not for: applause and profit.
28
According to Grotowski, drama exists to ……… ……. ……. …..., not cultural needs.
Satisfy human spiritual needs.
29
What does Grotowski compare going to the theatre to?
Going to a church or temple
30
What do both the church and theatre have?
Doers and observers
31
What did Grotowski recommend for staging?
A bare and truthful acting space/
32
True or false: | A poor theatre area includes the ‘easy’ luxuries of modern technology.
False.
33
What did Grotowski hate about stages?
They seperate/divide the performers from the audience. | He believes they’re of equal importance.
34
Where did Grotowski prefer acting to take place?
Simple large room or small hall.
35
True or false: | Grotowski said that people had mistakenly started believing only in superficial Rich Theatre.
True
36
What does the term “Para Theatrical” mean?
Reducing any gap between the actor and the audience.
37
What type of props and acting areas did Grotowski prefer?
‘Ambiguous’ acting areas and props.
38
Describe ambiguous acting areas and props.
Versatile and can be transformed by using the imagination. Does not have a specific shape or limited function.
39
What does Grotowski say his actors must do?
Exercise
40
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.
41
What are two exercises Grotowski’s actors were required to do?
Yoga and meditation
42
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.