News ARCHIVE 2005-2006

JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE works with HEATHER RAFFO in "9 PARTS OF DESIRE" AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE, September 6 - October 16, 2005

Photo by Irene Young

Heather Raffo first performed Nine Parts of Desire in August 2003 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. It later moved to the Bush Theatre in London's Off-West End, where critics hailed it as one of the five best plays in London in late 2003. Nine Parts of Desire was next developed and performed as a reading at The Public Theatre as part of their New Work Now festival in Spring 2004. The play then was presented at The Manhattan Theatre Ensemble for nine months, October 2004 – May 2005, where Raffo received thunderous applause by both press and audiences.

Nine Parts of Desire was inspired by Raffo's trip to the Saddam Art Center in Baghdad in 1993 where she saw only billboard-size portraits of Saddam Hussein. However, in a back room she discovered a painting of a nude woman clinging to a barren tree with her head bowed. There was a light in front of her, like a sun. Raffo took a photo of the painting in hopes of finding the artist, only to discover she had been killed during an American-led bombing raid in Baghdad earlier that year (1993). 

Jean-Louis was brought in by director Joanna Settle to help Heather deal with the larger theatre and the vocal and physical requirements of the play.  Heather describes the experience: " I had been performing my one-woman show for 9 months in New York City in an off-Broadway venue that sat about 150 people.  The Geffen show however was being performed at the Brentwood theatre that seats approximately 500 people.  Our process was nothing short of life changing for me.  I simply could not have done the show without him.  Had I brought my old patterns to this larger space it would have inevitably exhausted me far beyond the New York run.  Jean-Louis helped me to expand in a way imperative to work in this larger theatre and at this larger stage of my process." 

Visit Heather Raffo's website at www.heatherraffo.com

JULIETTE BINOCHE stars in MICHAEL HANEKE'S "CACHÉ" 

Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche Photo by Marion Stalens - Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

Long time student of Jean-Louis and the Alexander Technique, Juliette Binoche is currently starring in Michael Haneke's film"Caché", co-starring with Daniel Auteuil.  A tense thriller-drama, the film won best director awards at the Cannes Film Festival as well as receiving world acclaim for its stars and creative team. The film delivers with superb directing from Haneke and great leading performances by Auteuil and Binoche.  Audiences were more than engaged by the film's storyline , mystery, and analogy to today's modern political world dynamics.  Bravo Juliette! 

To watch a trailer of the film visit www.sonyclassics.com/cache/

PICCOLO TEATRO DI MILANO RESIDENCY AT UCLA - JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE Hosted A Series Of Workshops Taught By The Celebrated Theater Company From Italy, October 18-21, 2005.
As part of their world tour of Carlo Goldoni's "Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters", Jean-Louis Rodrigue in collaboration with UCLA Live arranged for members of the company to offer workshops and lectures to the students at the UCLA Department of Theater as well as members of the acting community in Los Angeles. The worshops were taught by Paolo Bosisio, Professor of Drama at State University, Milan and the Sorbonne in Paris, Ferruccio Soleri, the lead actor playing Arlecchino, and Stefano de Luca, Assistant Director. 

Ferruccio Soleri teaching mask work. Photo by Todd Cheney, Copyright UCLA

Prof. Bosisio's shared his knowledge and passion for the history of the Commedia Dell'Arte in Italy and the theatrical mission of Il Piccolo Teatro under the direction of Giorgio Strehler, one of the most celebrated directors of the 20th century.  Stefano de Luca and Ferruccio Soleri worked with the actors on the demanding physical requirements in creating and moving the characters of Arlecchino, Pantalone, Brighella and the Doctor.  The sold out performances of "Arlecchino" at the Freud Playhouse were brilliant and unforgettable. 

As Ferruccio Soleri recounts: "Harlequin is thus enriched by "life", just as Goldoni wanted of his theatrical writings, life shown to the public through the skill of a company of wanderers who stop, for some reason or another, to enact Harlequin.  The spectators therefore find themselves before a double show, the life of a group of actors of the commedia dell'arte, and the true art of acting.  As Strehler said in the spirit of his beloved Goldoni, one observes the world and creates art  from it." 

Visit their extensive website at www.piccoloteatro.org

Johnny Clark and cast in "Beggars in the House of Plenty"

KRISTOF KONRAD prepared JOHNNY CLARK in the west coast premiere of JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY'S "BEGGARS IN THE HOUSE OF PLENTY" at the VICTORY THEATRE CENTER,
September 10-October 9, 2005. 
Clark is the co-founder and artistic director of the VS. Theatre Company which is dedicated to presenting new plays.  Kristof assisted Clark in creating in a believable way the voice and the physicality of the main character as he ages through the play from a 5-year-old boy to adulthood. The play received glowing reviews and was extended beyond its closing date.  Kristof is the Alexander Technique teacher in residence for the VS. Theatre Company. 

Visit their website at www.vstheatre.org

Sakis Rouvas

STUDENT OF THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE SAKIS ROUVAS
CO-HOSTING EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2006
Sakis Rouvas, born on the Greek island of Corfu, will co-host the 2006 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest live from Athens. Sakis will co-host both the semi-final on 18 May and the grand final on 20 May 2006. The popular singer has been studying acting with Howard Fine and the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad. Highly physical in his performance, Sakis has been enjoying learning and integrating the Alexander Technique to his singing and athletic events. He is also a talented gymnast and has been pole vaulting for the Hellenic National Team.

NEW YORK PROJECTS WITH LARRY MOSS.
Larry Moss is busy directing plays in New York. Opening in November, “Who Is Floyd Stern” written and performed by Michael Raynor has already received acclaim from the New York Times which states that “Mr. Moss again teases out an emotionally coherent performance that seems direct, unadorned and deceptively without artifice.” While rehearsing “Floyd Stern”, Larry was also rehearsing Jack Holmes’ “The Awful Grace of God: A Portrait of Robert F. Kennedy”. The play follows RFK from the soul-searching days following the assassination of his brother President John F. Kennedy to his term as New York senator to presidential candidate to the day of his own assassination at the Ambassador Hotel after winning the California primary. Jean-Louis Rodrigue was invited to work with Jack on the physicality and movement of Bobby Kennedy, and will continue to do so into rehearsals prior to opening on Broadway in 2005.

APRIL DAISY WHITE’S ONE-WOMAN PLAY WAS PRODUCED AT THE EDGEMAR CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN SANTA MONICA, MARCH 26-APRIL 11, 2004.
Directed by Larry Moss, “Sugar” tells the journey of an international Call Girl in her fight for survival and redemption. In this play, extraordinary April Daisy White portrays over 30 characters. This project was developed at the Verbier Festival and Academy over two years. Jean-Louis Rodrigue has collaborated with Daisy and Larry Moss in creating this tour de force performance over the past three years.

VERBIER FESTIVAL and ACADEMY, July 22- August 7, 2005

Since 1998 Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad have taught the Alexander Technique program at the Verbier Festival and Academy, and they have insured that the Technique has gained importance by making it an indispensable part of the Festival and Academy. The Alexander program is open to all attending professional artists, orchestra members and academy students. Participants of the Academy are selected from the best conservatories around the world, who are destined for a professional career in the arts and are given the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned teachers. This past summer besides teaching over 200 lessons for the Academy students and the orchestra members, Jean-Louis and Kristof worked with world acclaimed artists Martha Argerich, Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal to help them deal with the stress and tension experienced in rehearsals and performances.

In 2005 the faculty will include Ana Chumachenco, Nobuko Imai, Gary Hoffman, Dmitri Bashkirov, Thomas Quastoff, Georges Appaix and Larry Moss. The world-class artists performing this summer at the Festival include Michael Tilson Thomas, Evgeny Kissin, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Kiri Te Kanawa, Martha Argerich, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Joshua Bell.   Read More
		Joshua Bell

LARRY MOSS’ BOOK “THE INTENT TO LIVE” IS PUBLISHED.
The much awaited book based on his acting and teaching experience, “The Intent to Live” is a must for all actors and anyone interested in the theatre. Larry offers in a very generous and creative way a necessary education which is badly lacking in our young actors today. To quote Larry “Sometimes we feel we have a gift to give that no one can see because we don’t have the tools or the confidence to reveal it. Sometimes we have a raw talent that comes out every now and then, maybe even brilliantly, but because we lack technique we don’t know how to consistently give the gift to its greatest effect.” Inspired acting education and love for the theatre is at the heart of this book and we recommend it wholeheartedly. Buy it at Amazon.com

KRISTOF KONRAD PREPARES ZILAH MENDOZA AND ELISA BOCANEGRA
IN “ELECTRICIDAD” AT THE MARK TAPER FORUM - March 27- May 15, 2005
In playwright’s Luis Alfaro’s “Electricidad”, Elisa Bocanegra plays Ifigenia opposite Zilah Mendoza as Electricidad (Electra) in this adaptation of Sophocle’s play transposed to east Los Angeles, the largest Chicano/Mexicano barrio in the U.S.

Kristof Konrad prepared both actresses for their physically and vocally demanding roles, both from the classical greek drama point of view and the cholo gang lifestyle behavior.

“Electricidad” had a very successful run with critical acclaim and the Los Angeles Weekly called “Bocanegra’s Ifigenia a marvel of confused, bruised pride- a hawk-eyed, brooding tomboy with matted black hair, a gang-chic vinyl jacket over Catholic nuns’ garb aching for the capacity to do good, to be good.” Congratulations to both Elisa and Zilah for their exceptional performances.

RODRIGUE PRESENTS A MASTER CLASS ON THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
AT THE HIGH FALLS FILM FESTIVAL
November 2004 Catherine Wyler has spearheaded the High Falls Film Festival since 2001. Sponsored by the Eastman Kodak Company, the festival showcases exceptional work by women in film and independent filmmakers. It is exciting to see the HFFF reach its fourth year with such an excellent track record and high movie industry buzz. Cathy has studied the Alexander Technique and is familiar with the application of the work to acting in film. For the second year, the festival presented a Master Class with Jean-Louis Rodrigue on November 14 at the George Eastman House to a packed audience. Other lectures were given by Mira Nair, Sally Kellerman and Joan Allen.
Check their official website: www.highfallsfilmfestival.com

RODRIGUE AND KONRAD INVITED TO TEACH INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS AROUND THE WORLD
While at the Verbier Festival and Academy (July 16-August 1, 2004), Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad were invited to teach intensive workshops in the Alexander Technique at major music conservatories and at performing centers around the world. Preparations are now in progress for the following locations:

	London,	England
	Stuttgart,	Germany
	Copenhagen,	Denmark
	Rome,	Italy
	Hong Kong,	China
	Moscow,	Russia
	Vancouver,	Canada
	Brussels,	Belgium
	Como,	Italy
Inquiries for master classes and intensive workshops are welcome for 2006-2007.

THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE INTENSIVE WORKSHOP for ACTORS IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, June 25-27, 2004
Larry Moss has been offering intensive scene study classes in Vancouver for the past few years. During these very popular classes, he has referred to the need for movement and vocal training, and recommended working with Jean-Louis Rodrigue. The acting community in Vancouver is vital, talented, and hungry for higher standards in acting. A group of actors has invited Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad to teach an intensive course on the Alexander Technique as applied to performance.

UCLA’S CIRCLE OF CARING SPONSORS ALEXANDER WORKSHOP
Circle of Caring, an organization for the renewal for health care professionals at the UCLA Medical Center, sponsored in June 2004 an Alexander Technique workshop at the May’s Landing House in Malibu. Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad lead a workshop introducing the principles of the Technique to over 30 nurses and health practitioners. The focus of this program is to develop the art of healing for the health care professional and demonstrate skills of self care. We would like to express our gratitude and deep love for Katherine Brown-Saltzman for heading this remarkable and supportive endeavor.

JANN ARDEN ROCKS AT THE KNITTING FACTORY
IN LOS ANGELES
Jann Arden gave a formidable performance at the Knitting Factory on June 10, 2004. She has studied the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis Rodrigue and has attended the residential course in Hawaii. She continues to give generously to her audiences through her very human poetry, her amazing music, and ebullient humor. We congratulate Jann on her continued success and thank her for the gift of song and love. Check out her official web site: www.jannarden.com

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE AT MEDIA ACCESS
Kristof Konrad taught a series of Alexander Technique classes (March 16 – May 4, 2004) for disabled actors at the Media Access Office. Established by the California Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, Media Access actively promotes the employment and accurate portrayal of persons with disabilities in the mass media and entertainment industry as part of the cultural diversity. Dr. Victoria Lewis, founding director of Other Voices at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles is a supporter of Alexander Technique and states “Alexander can provide a different model of physical health which is not based on conforming to some ideal, but rather on an acceptance and embracing of the physical instrument one has. Disabled people of all stripes have a desire and need to connect with their physical bodies”.
For more information www.mediaaccessoffice.com

DEBORAH GIBSON STARS IN SONDHEIM’S “COMPANY” FOR REPRISE
Deborah Gibson recently came to Jean-Louis Rodrigue to prepare herself for the role of Marta in the Reprise production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Company” at the UCLA Freud Playhouse (May 18-June 6, 2004). Currently studying acting with Howard Fine, she was recommended to Jean-Louis to continue her studies with the Alexander Technique as part of her physical and vocal preparation. Our warm congratulations to Deb for her extraordinary performance and huge success.

See her online: www.deborah-gibson.com

ALEXANDER AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF THE SECOND ANNUAL INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM, UCLA, FEBRUARY 20-21, 2004
Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad were members of the faculty at the Second Annual Integrative Medicine Symposium presented by the UCLA Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine, the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center and the Office of Continuing Education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The 90 minute workshop was titled “Evidence Based and Practical Consideration for the Use of Psycho-physical Reeducation with Special Focus on the Alexander Technique”.

JULIETTE BINOCHE CO-STARS WITH RICHARD GERE IN “BEE SEASON”
In January 2004, Jean-Louis Rodrigue joined Juliette Binoche in Berkeley, to prepare her for the demanding role of a kleptomaniac woman. The role had enormous psychological and emotional demands which required a corresponding physical life. Juliette and Jean-Louis have worked together for many years resulting in a constructive and artistically satisfying relationship.

BILLY TREVITT OF BALLET BOYZ VISITS JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE AT UCLA
George Piper Dances presents Ballet Boyz, Britain’s Dynamic Duo of Dance Billy Trevitt and Michael Nunn performed at UCLA Live at Royce Hall October 3-4, 2003. As part of their residency at UCLA, Bill Trevitt taught a class for Jean-Louis Rodrigue’s MFA advanced movement class on October 2, 2003. George Piper educational mission is committed to expanding awareness and appreciation of quality contemporary dance in the UK, and breaking down public perceptions about ballet and dance. This artistic vision is reflected in plans for development of a range of educational initiatives and programs for schools. Billy was scheduled to lecture to the students but instead he taught a full length dance and performance class. His wild creativity, love for dance, and generosity of spirit was appreciated by all. BILLY WE LOVE YOU! For further information about George Piper Presents Ballet Boyz: www.gpdances.com