Overview
From the rhythmic movements and speech of actors in ancient Greece, to
Stanislavski's use of Tempo-rhythm as a tool for building a character
and tapping emotions, continuing through to the use of rhythm and
musicality in contemporary approaches to actor training and dramaturgy,
this subject finds resonance across a broad range of performance
domains. In these settings, rhythm has often been identified as an
effective tool for developing the coordination and conscious awareness
of individual performers, ensembles and their immediate relationship to
an audience. This text examines the principles and techniques
underlying these processes, focusing on key approaches adopted and
developed within European and American performance practices over the
last century.
Interviews and case studies of individual
practitioners, offer insight into the ways rhythm is approached and
utilised within this field. Each of these sections includes practical
examples as well as analytical reflections, offering a basis for
comparing both the common threads and the broad differences that can be
found here. Unpacking this often mystified and neglected subject, this
book offers students and practitioners a wealth of informative and
useful insights to aid and inspire further creative and academic
explorations of rhythm within this field.