- News Archive 2006
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April Daisy White, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, and Aasif Mandvi. Photo courtesy of April Daisy WhiteAs 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.
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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.
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Photo by Gina Ferazzi - Courtesy of LA TimesCharles 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
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Drawing courtesy of Mark Fisher, Theatre and Set DesignerJacques 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.
Photo by Thomas Muscionico and Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt. Courtesy of Cirque du SoleilDirected 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
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Photo courtesy of LA TimesThe 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
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Photo courtesy Diamanda GalásVocal 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
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Maude Mitchell and Ricardo Gil in "Doll House"
Photo by Richard Termine - Courtesy of Mabou Mines, NYCMabou 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 Freud Playhouse from November 28 to December 10.
Tickets for DOLLHOUSE available at UCLA Live www.uclalive.org
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Alexander Techworks
Jean Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad teaching musicians.