- News Update
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THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE MAKES AN IMPACT ON BROADWAY AND OFF-BROADWAY
Sally Murphy (standing on right) with Deanna Dunagan, Rondi Reed and Francis Guinan in AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTYExtraordinary acting is now happening in three plays about dysfunctional families on Broadway and Off-Broadway, by a group of actors who have been studying the Alexander Technique over the years with Jean-Louis Rodrigue. Sally Murphy is a long time member of the Steppenwolf company and is currently starring in the Broadway hit "AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY" by Tracy Letts. Sally came to study with Jean-Louis several years ago after a experiencing an injury during a performance of "Carousel". She studied the Alexander Technique for several years and recovered completely from the injury. The play has received wide acclaim and the New York Times confirms that "The cast does not have a weak link, and the other major female roles, in particular, are rewarding and perfectly played. Ms. Murphy’s sad-eyed Ivy has a plaintive tenderness that occasionally flares up into a defensive assertion of the justice of her needs." Bravo Sally.
Harold Pinter's 1967 Tony Award-winning Best Play returns to Broadway in a new production under the direction of Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan (Rabbit Hole, Proof). Undoubtedly Pinter's most sexually provocative work, THE HOMECOMING is an edgy and compelling tale of lust, seduction and deception, telling the story of a dysfunctional family that welcomes the homecoming of its estranged brother and competes for the attention of his dangerously alluring wife.
Eve Best, Ian McShane, and James Frain in The HomecomingJames Frain, who has been studying the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis, plays Teddy, the oldest brother in the family and the husband of Ruth, played by amazing Eve Best. The New York Times hails the extraordinary cast: "IAN MCSHANE is dazzling in Harold Pinter's masterpiece. The fine cast also includes benchmark performances by the remarkable RAUL ESPARZA and EVE BEST, who is an absolute knockout. MICHAEL MCKEAN gives a beautifully calibrated, heartbreaking performance as the proper, dutiful Sam. And the relatively unknown GARETH SAXE and JAMES FRAIN are superb as the dopey, brawny Joey and the disdainful, uxorious Teddy."
Bo Eason performing in Runt of the Litter"RUNT OF THE LITTER", the one-person play written and performed by Bo Eason and directed by Larry Moss is currently running at the 37 Arts Theater in New York. Bo has been studying the Alexander Technique for several years with Jean-Louis and is an incredibly disciplined actor. He describes the work in the following way: "As a professional athlete and now a performer on a different stage, I know the importance and the power of the body. The body is how we communicate twenty-four hour a day. Your words may lie, but the body always tells the truth. Jean-Louis has helped me uncover the truth in my body— and gives me the power and security and permission to express myself as an actor on a whole new level." Jean-Louis literally choreographed many of the moments in the play and this is what Michael Criscuolo of NYTheatre.com had to say: "Eason’s career as an athlete has served him well for the stage. Not only are his emotions always near the surface and easily accessible to him, but he’s also very in touch with his body. He moves smoothly, gracefully, energetically, without fear or embarrassment. He’s very physically expressive, has a lot of fun, and knows what his limits are. All of these factors help serve his performance, which is superb. He has an ease on stage that is rarely seen even in seasoned veterans, and charisma that is riveting. He commands the stage with his every word and move."
http://www.runtofthelitter.com
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The Montalvo Arts CenterMontalvo Arts Center is housed in the historic "Villa Montalvo", In 1939, Villa Montalvo was opened to the public as an arts center with artists in residence and a small gallery in the Villa. Today, Montalvo’s facilities now include two theaters, an art gallery, the historic Villa, a ten-acre artist residency complex, and a 175-acre park with hiking trails and formal gardens. The Center offers the following programs, enjoyed by more than 200,000 people each year: 1) Performing Arts; 2) Visual Arts; 3) Literary Arts; 4) Sally and Don Lucas Artist Residency; 5) Education and Outreach and 6) Montalvo Park.
Bob Sain, the Executive Director of the Montalvo Arts Center stated in his invitation to Jean-Louis Rodrigue : "The development of The Reader and its process exemplifies Montalvo’s mission of engaging the community in the arts through dialogue and direct participation in creative practice, in addition to Montalvo’s goal of facilitating the creation of new works. Our upcoming theme exploring Iraq through the arts would be directly related to the public workshops and panels around The Reader, by bringing a historical context to the issues facing our society regarding global responsibility, literacy, and the human consequences of war. In addition, we are committed to inviting local youth and community members to participate in the development of The Reader and surrounding public conversations. The Montalvo Arts Center is very pleased to invite you here as a fellow in 2008 and beyond in support of the development of your work developing The Reader into a full theater production." A reading of the play as a work-in-progress will take place at the Montalvo Center in April of 2008. Chris Dolan, the Scottish author of the play adaptation will be participating in the week-long residency. Bernhard Schlink, the acclaimed author of the novel, has also been invited as a fellow and he will participate in events surrounding the reading.
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Sharon Lawrence as Vivian LeighThe complex and multi-layered personality of Vivien Leigh was a challenge for actress Sharon Lawrence, who will be starring in "Orson’s Shadow", a new play at the Pasadena Playhouse. Sharon came to Kristof to use the Alexander Technique to embody the physicality and the vocal requirements of the character, and express the many medical conditions of Vivien Leigh. Affected by bipolar disorder for most of her adult life, Leigh gained a reputation for being a difficult person to work with, and her career went through periods of decline. She was further weakened by recurrent bouts of tuberculosis, with which she was first diagnosed in the mid-1940s.
The Pasadena Playhouse describes the play as "An ingenious tale of two Hollywood giants – Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier. The time is 1960; the place is a London theatre. Legendary critic Kenneth Tynan has made a startling proposal: Welles should direct Olivier and the young Joan Plowright in Rhinoceros, Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece. But it is the rehearsal process that brims with absurdity as titanic personalities, including Vivien Leigh, wrestle the muse. Based on an actual event, Orson’s Shadow is a witty and incisive depiction of the drama of theatre".
ORSON ’S SHADOW
By Austin Pendleton
Conceived by Judith Auberjonois
Directed by new Associate Artistic Director, Dámaso Rodriguez
January 11 - February 17, 2008
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org -
JULIETTE BINOCHE PREPARES WITH JEAN-LOUIS RODRIGUE FOR A THEATRICAL DANCE PROJECT IN 2008-2009
Juliette BinocheJuliette Binoche was in town last November to open "Dan in Real Life". Starring contemporary comedy giant Steve Carell and Oscar-winning Binoche, a coupling as unlikely as it is delicious. In "Dan", director Peter Hedges oversees something of a departure for both of his leads. Carell, one of today's hottest comedy actors, handles with aplomb a transition that has overmatched his peers, managing to be both funny as well as a credible romantic lead. As for Binoche, usually found in more ethereal roles (that Oscar was for "The English Patient"), she's successfully made herself into an approachable, everyday version of the woman of every man's dreams. What united both actors, Binoche related in an interview, was a shared viewpoint. The first time she met Carell, she says, "He said, 'I don't want this to be cute.' I looked him right in the eye and said, 'There's no cute in here. There's no cute coming.'"
While in town, Juliette took advantage of this opportunity to get a refresher course in the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis, and prepare herself for her new theatrical dance project to be choreographed by Akram Khan this year. The project will open at the Royal National Theater in 2008 and travel all over the world with a stop at the UCLA Royce Hall in fall of 2009. Presented by UCLA Live, Binoche will be an artist in residence for two weeks.
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Ian McKellen in rehearsal for King LearThe long awaited visit to Los Angeles by the Royal Shakespeare Company presenting "King Lear" and "The Seagull" was a huge success. Jean-Louis Rodrigue organized master classes in "Speaking Shakespeare" with Lyn Darnley, RSC Head of Voice and Artist Development and Gemma Fairlie, RSC Assistant Director. Sponsored by UCLA Live, these workshops were designed for the MFA students at the UCLA Theater Department and also open to the L.A. theater community.
The RSC had been traveling around the U.S., and the company members were tired and in need of a "tune-up". Jean-Louis and Kristof came to the rescue and scheduled appointments for the actors interested in taking Alexander lessons. Sir Ian McKellen was the first to sign up and took several lessons during the run of the play. The RSC makes use of the Alexander Technique in their on-going training of actors, and Sir Ian states that "I was very enthusiastic about the value of the Alexander Technique and I made it possible for all members of the "Richard III" and "The King Lear" companies to have lessons whilst rehearsing."
Beside McKellen, several other actors took lessons including Romola Garai currently starring in "Atonement" and Monica Dolan who plays Masha in "Seagull".
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Poster courtesy of Universal Studios
Lymari NadalLymari discovered Kristof Konrad in Larry Moss’ acting class three years ago. She has been coming on a regular basis to work on various aspects of her acting and using the Technique as a way of preparing for her roles. Kristof has been helping her to get into the body of the stunning girl friend of Russell Crowe’s character in one of the most anticipated movies of the year "American Gangster" directed by Ridley Scott. The film is opening on November 2, 2007.
We congratulate Lymari and we look forward to seeing the movie.
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Jean-Louis has been working with cellist Sebastian Bäverstam since he was ten. Now 19, Sebastian has the exceptional opportunity of continuing to study and grow with the Alexander Technique.In 1994 the Verbier Festival and Academy included the F.M Alexander Technique course in the Academy curriculum. Jean-Louis Rodrigue took over this programme in 1998, and with Kristof Konrad has insured that it has gained in importance by working tirelessly to fulfill their goal of making it available to all of the attending professional artists, orchestra members and academy students.
The level of talent at this year’s Verbier Academy was truly staggering. It was a convergence of musicians from all over the world with a common goal; to achieve excellence and work together on performance problems. After the first week, we were able to recognize and work on these creative challenges, often finding practical solutions and new ways of performing. The wonderful and rare opportunity offered by the Verbier Festival is the opportunity of working with musicians over many years and watching them grow as human beings and artists.
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Swedish Radio SymphonyThe most fascinating artists and performances in the Festival included a new composition by Esa-Pekka Salonen called L.A. Variations, conducted by Esa-Pekka. An intense piece of music that truly expressed the soul and multi-faceted character of Los Angeles.
Anoushka ShankarAnother unusual evening of music was offered by Ravi Shankar’s daughter Anoushka. She performed two pieces composed by her father for sitar, tabla, and the violin played by Joshua Bell. The first piece was called "West meets East Sessions" commissioned by the United Nations and the second, was a new piece especially composed for the Verbier Festival. Bravo Joshua and Anoushka for the hottest evening at the Festival- you rock!
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Emily Rose in HBO's "John from Cincinnati"Emily Rose studied the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis Rodrigue for three years as part of her MFA Acting Program at UCLA. She was recently cast as a regular character in the HBO series "John From Cincinnati". Created by David Milch (HBO’s Deadwood), and "surf-noir" novelist Kem Nunn, "John From Cincinnati" jumps the border between everyday reality and the humanity that exists beyond it. A gifted and versatile actress, Emily is comfortable playing Dorine in "Tartuffe" or a wheel-chair bound soldier in "Wounded". Kudos for Emily!
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The cast of "Talk Radio"Actor Peter Hermann is currently co-starring with Liev Schreiber in Eric Bogosian’s Pulitzer Prize nominated TALK RADIO. Peter has studied the Alexander Technique in Los Angeles with Jean-Louis and Kristof. Talk Radio is about a controversial talk radio host and is currently running at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway.
Originally conceived by Eric Bogosian as a solo performance piece in 1985, then developed into a multi-character play that premiered at the Public Theater two years later, "Talk Radio" evolved further in the 1988 Oliver Stone movie, incorporating elements of the story of Denver radio personality Alan Berg, who was murdered by the Aryan Nation in 1984.
Talk Radio is that rare occurrence on Broadway these days: the lucky convergence of a master director and a talented group of actors working on a smart, savagely funny script that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Check out their official website: www.talkradioonbroadway.com
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HEATH LEDGER TALKS ABOUT THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE IN ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, December 2006
Photo by Doane Gregory
Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures"I really like to look into the physical acting characteristics of my character, because it helps me to transform."
— Heath LedgerINFLUENCING LEDGER
Heath Ledger, 27, is a transformer. With his acting coach, the "Candy" star studies the Alexander Technique, which helps him burrow into roles like gay cowboys and drug addicts by focusing on his posture, movement, and presence. "I really like to look into the physical acting characteristics of my character, because it helps me to transform". Here are the three chameleonlike performances that impress him the most.
— George Kirschling,
Entertainment Weekly
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS in My Left Foot (1989)
"It's a remarkable transformation-probably the most remarkable I can think of."PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN in Capote (2005)
"It's less in the way he walks and more in the way he can mold himself."GARY OLDMAN in Sid and Nancy (1986)
"Wow, that is an amazing performance. I mean so dirty. He really hits bottom."
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- Upcoming Events
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Jean-Louis Rodrigue is currently organizing master classes with the RSC artists of "King Lear" and "The Seagull" and John Tiffany, the director of "Black Watch" presented by the National Theatre of Scotland. These master classes are offered for the actors of the UCLA MFA acting program and part of UCLA Live’s educational mission. A limited number of auditors will be admitted to the master classes. Dates to be announced in Fall 2007.
"Black Watch" directed by John Tiffany and presented by the National Theatre of Scotland"Black Watch" is based on interviews with former soldiers who served in Iraq. This taut and uncompromising piece of theater tells the story of Scotland’s legendary 300 year-old Black Watch regiment, whose disbandment was announced in 2004 just before its 800-man battalion replaced some 4,000 U.S. Marines in one of the bloodiest areas of Iraq. Magnified by recent events, Black Watch reveals the harsh reality of the "war on terror" and its impact on those who serve.
Sir Ian McKellen leads the Royal Shakespeare Company in two explosive new productions of
"King Lear" and "The Seagull".Sir Ian McKellen leads the Royal Shakespeare Company in two explosive new productions of "King Lear" and "The Seagull". This production reunites McKellen and director Trevor Nunn with the RSC for the first time in 17 years. Both have studied the Alexander Technique and use it in the rehearsal process of the plays. McKellen says about the Technique: "I was very enthusiastic about the value of the Alexander Technique and I made it possible for all members of the "King Lear" company to have lessons whilst rehearsing."
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
"Black Watch"
Sept. 18- Oct. 14, 2007
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
"King Lear" and "The Seagull"
In repertory October 19 - October 28, 2007For tickets visit www.uclalive.org
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- Upcoming Classes and Courses
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2008 GROUP CLASSES IN THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE AT OUR NEW HOME- THE ODYSSEY THEATRE ENSEMBLE.
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.
For more information visit their website: www.odysseytheatre.com
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Alexander Technique
Jean Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad teaching musicians.