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News UPDATE 2006-2007 JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE SET TO DIRECT CHRIS DOLAN’S "THE READER", BASED ON BERNHARD SCHLINK’S BEST SELLING NOVEL, Fall 2007
"THE READER" was written by award winning Scottish playwright Chris Dolan and is based on the internationally acclaimed novel of the same name by Bernhard Schlink. This play was first produced at the Edinburgh Festival and then in London. Even though Jean-Louis has collaborated with many directors as a movement specialist and choreographer on countless of plays internationally, Off-Broadway and regionally, this will mark his professional directorial debut and this production will be the American premiere of “THE READER”. A parable of German guilt and atonement and a love story of stunning power, The Reader is also a work of theater that is unforgettable in its psychological complexity, its moral nuances, and its stylistic restraint. A reading of the play was held last summer to help the playwright and director fine tune the script. Possible venues being considered include the new Madison Project in Santa Monica and the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Casting will begin in late fall or early winter. APRIL DAISY WHITE, LARRY MOSS, AND JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW YORK THEATER WORKSHOP RESIDENCY AT DARTMOUTH, August 14-20, 2006
As much as for its mission, New York Theater Workshop’s unique quality is measured by the way in which it works. An extraordinary amount of time and resources are provided to artists for their creative process in developing work: that is the “Workshop” part of the name. NYTW is leading the voice in the world of Off-Broadway and within the theatre community in NYC and around the world. Over the past 25 years NYTW has developed and produced over 100 new, fully staged works including RENT, SLAVS, HOMEBODY/KABUL, QUILLS, WIT, ANGELS IN AMERICA, and Mabou Mine’s DOLLHOUSE, which is coming to Los Angeles this fall. Daisy, Larry, and Jean-Louis were selected to participate in the 2006 NYTW annual residential which in the past has included the likes of Tony Kushner, Martha Clarke, Caryl Churchill, and Doug Wright. This was an exceptional and rare opportunity to work on refining Daisy’s play SUGAR, and to present the work-in-progress before an audience and the other artists participating in the residency. Many warm thanks to James Nicola, the Artistic Director and Linda Chapman, the Associate Artistic Director for their enormous support and this exceptional opportunity for creative growth.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL INVITES JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE AND KRISTOF KONRAD TO WORK WITH THE CAST OF “KA”, Las Vegas, June 2006.
Jacques Heim, the choreographer of Cirque du Soleil “KA” had worked with Jean-Louis at the UCLA Department of Theater, and knew the many benefits of the Alexander Technique as a way to prevent injuries and improve performance. Jacques recommended Jean-Louis to the artistic director of the show and the head of the physical therapy department treating the artists. Jean-Louis and Kristof presented a series of workshops for the artists of “KA” last June at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Directed by theater director Robert Lepage, “KA” is more a theater piece than a circus show. It is a very physically demanding piece due to the extreme choreography, the amazing modular hydraulic stages (see photo) which are in constant motion, and the acrobatic battle scenes which demand literally to be hanging by little pegs on a monolith cliff like structure. Noriko Takahashi, baton twirler and one of the main characters in “KA”, made immediate application of the Alexander work to her performance. Myro (Counselor’s Son Character) used the Alexander work to release tightness and increase flexibility in his body. The main goal of the workshops was to teach the artists new ways to prevent injuries and improve the use of energy in performance. Cirque du Soleil has previously employed Jean-Louis to work with the cast of LA NOUVELLE EXPERIENCE . Visit Cirque du Soleil at: www.cirquedusoleil.com TATE DONOVAN, LONG TIME STUDENT OF THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE, STARS IN "RABBIT HOLE" AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE.
Charles McNulty, the Los Angeles Times theater reviewer recently wrote about Tate Donovan’s performance in "RABBIT HOLE"; "In the splendid performances, Tate Donovan stands out for his unforced naturalism. His depiction of Howie, a father trying to move beyond what he can neither control nor forget, is rendered with such command and conviction that it’s like the private record of a man groping toward some semblance of normality again." Tate has a remarkable list of achievements in theatre, film, and television including acting opposite Judi Dench on Broadway in "AMY’S VIEW" and starring in Kenneth Lonergan’s "LOBBY’S HERO" at Playwrights Horizons. Tate was introduced to the Alexander Technique while a student at the USC School of Theatre. He started taking private lessons with Jean-Louis because he was very unsatisfied with his movement habits as the lead in a television series called "PARTNERS". Tate describes his learning process in the following way: "Alexander gives you a center and flexibility by knowing your habits. I have gained a tremendous knowledge about tensions and unproductive ways I do things- it is my way I get my bearings." A complete interview with Tate Donovan is available for viewing in the reels section. For more information about Rabbit Hole, visit www.geffenplayhouse.com PAUL MOORE STARS IN "HIPPOLYTOS", THE FIRST PLAY PRESENTED AT THE GETTY VILLA OUTDOOR THEATER, September 2006.
The production of "Hippolytos" is part of an exciting new Greek theater program at the Getty Villa that should aspire to become the country’s foremost venue of such theater. Paul Moore is a recent graduate of the UCLA MFA Acting Program where the Alexander Technique is taught by Jean-Louis Rodrigue as an indispensable part of the training. Paul gave the character of Hippolytos a very human quality and a sense of vulnerability. Our congratulations to Paul for this remarkable achievement and we look forward to more classic Greek plays at the beautifully restored Getty Villa in Malibu. For more information about the Getty Villa visit: www.getty.edu JAMES FRAIN PLAYS THOMAS CROMWELL IN SHOWTIME "THE TUDORS" TO AIR IN SPRING 2007.
The Tudors will air on Showtime in spring 2007. The first season deals with the early years of Henry VIII, his love affair with Anne Bolynn and his subsequent divorce from Katherine of Aragon. It details how this motivated the seismic split of the English Church and State from Rome and changed the character of England from Catholic to Protestant. The foundations were laid to the American Revolution 250 years later. In ten one hour dramas we delve into Henry's court and private chambers and discover a world of intrigue and power that revolve around a ruthless and charismatic ruler with extraordinary sexual charisma. Henry is usually portrayed as the overweight figure familiar from his later years. The Tudors shows the athletic and youthful star king of Europe at the begininning of his ascent to total power over his reign. Jonathan Rhys-Myers plays Henry, Sam Neil plays Cardinal Wolsey and Jeremy Northam plays Thomas More. Frain plays Thomas Cromwell who rose to prominence after Thomas More was executed for opposing the King's wishes and refusing to recognize the divorce from Katherine. Cromwell was a primary influence in using the King's "great matter" as leverage to institute the Protestant Reformation of England. He instituted the revolutionary seizure of land and wealth from the monasteries and instituted an unsurpassed series of reforms in Parliament. He was either a Tudor Tyrant or an early forefather of the commonwealth according to your perspective. He is a controversial and complicated character to unravel. Frain says "I started working with Jean-Louis on the Alexander Technique last year while shooting Invasion for ABC. I have been particularly concerned to use the Alexander principles while working on The Tudors to find an ease and grace in the movement of Cromwell. The costumes are restrictive if not inhabited as they were designed to be worn - with an uprightness of posture - and I am keen that there is no stiffness to Cromwell's physicality. I find that the consciousness of upwardness, expansion, inhibition and release I am learning from the Alexander Technique are crucial in imagining myself into the world of the Tudor court. Cromwell was a social outsider who had to learn to adapt to aristocratic mores and my sense is that he would have wanted to be more gentlemanly than the gentlemen "to the manor born" and not display any awkwardness. I have a sense of him gliding through the court almost effortlessly - a man at home with the machinations of power." "In my own life the experiences of release I am having with the technique are revelatory. I have studied Alexander Technique before but much less successfully than with Jean-Louis who has helped me unlock years of habit with comparative ease. I am discovering an economy of expression and a freedom from pain and tension that I had not thought possible and it is transforming my own sense of comfort in myself. I was intrigued to hear from Jean-Louis that some other actors I admire use Alexander Technique in their character preparation. I feel I have had a glimpse into the secret of their poise and confidence onscreen and I look forward to developing my understanding of the practice further. The Alexander principles are, slowly, subtly, with consistent and gentle encouragement, lodging in my body and mind. I am determined that they are here to stay!" Upcoming Events 2006-2007 DIAMANDA GALÁS SPEAKS AT A SPECIAL EVENT HOSTED BY JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE AT UCLA ROYCE HALL, OCTOBER 28, 2006
Vocal virtuoso Diamanda Galás was invited by Jean-Louis Rodrigue to speak at an informal event sponsored by UCLA Live at Royce Hall on Saturday, October 28 at 2PM. A voice to be reckoned with, Galás is considered the most phenomenal voice in new music. The New York Times writes about Galás: “There are no small emotions for Ms. Galás, whose compositions are music theater with its rawest nerves exposed. She takes up fear and rage, mourning and vengeance; her voice can reach operatic heights or slice through the room with primal moans and shrieks and sobs.” To reserve your space for the Galás event send an e-mail to Jean-Louis at jeanlouisr1@yahoo.com. Galás will perform her concert for Voice and Piano “Guilty, Guilty, Guilty” on Friday, October 27 at Royce Hall. For tickets visit www.uclalive.org JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE INVITES LEE BREUER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF MABOU MINES TO PRESENT AN ACTING WORKSHOP AT UCLA DEPARTMENT OF THEATER, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2006, 3-6PM
Mabou Mines is a collaborative company founded in 1970 and based in New York City. The composition of the company is the result of years of shared work in the United States and abroad. The six members (Julie Archer, Lee Breuer, Sharon Fogarty, Ruth Maleczech, Frederick Neumann, and Terry O’Reilly) comprise the present artistic directorate making all decisions concerning repertory and touring. Mabou Mines believes in a drama of fusion, a drama where virtually anything- religion, politics, sociology, anthropology, even biology and physics- should be considered a proper mode of discourse from the footlights when they are partnered with camp, puppetry, music, poetry, and visual art. Ultimately, however its laughter that has most consistently defined Mabou Mines over its entire history because this a company that was born and lives in the comic mode. Jean-Louis Rodrigue has invited Lee Breuer to present a three hour master acting workshop for the MFA 3rd year actors on December 5 at UCLA in the Macgowan Little Theater. This master class will be open for a limited number of auditors. Actors interested in auditing should contact Jean-Louis Rodrigue at jeanlouisr1@yahoo.com. MABOU MINES is presenting their award-winning adaptation of Ibsen’s A DOLL HOUSE, Conceived and Directed by Lee Breuer at UCLA Royce Hall from November 28 to December 10. Tickets for DOLLHOUSE available at UCLA Live www.uclalive.org 2006-2007 GROUP CLASSES IN THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE AT OUR NEW HOME- THE ODYSSEY THEATRE ENSEMBLE. For more information visit their website: www.odysseytheatre.com START DATE OF OUR WINTER CLASSES: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2006, 7-9:00 P.M.
VERBIER FESTIVAL and ACADEMY, July 21- August 6, 2006
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Since last November we have moved our teaching venue to the spacious theatres of the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in West Los Angeles. Guided by artistic director Ron Sossi, the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's mission remains firm: the creation of new work, the revitalization and re-exploration of classical material, consistent experimentation with the most current developments at the forefront of the "state of the art" in the international theatre world, ongoing investigation of the "process" of creating theatre, and continuing development of new acting, directing, and writing talent via the Actor's Laboratory, Play Development Program, and Emerging Directors Plan. Ultimately, the institution moves toward the creation of a larger International Experimental Theatre Center, facilitating the crosspolination of artists from different countries, cultures and disciplines, and the exposure of this collaborative work to the Southern California audience. 
