Dibbell moves to 'conscious acting'
Campus Times
November 1, 1996
"Conscious acting" is changing the method of acting that is being
taught to University of La Verne theater students. Internationally-known
director Steven Kent was a sabbatical replacement for Dr. David Flaten,
professor of theatre arts, last spring, when he introduced conscious actingto
the ULV community.
Jane Dibbell, associate professor of theatre arts, began teaching conscious
acting in her classrooms this year. A break from the traditional method
acting that uses psychological discovery as well as life experiences to
relate to a character, conscious acting responds to plays being written
with characters that are not fully developed.
Kent's techniques help the actor to jump into the condition of the character
at any given time. There is a strong emphasis on entering the moment.
The techniques used are called plastiques and eurythmics. Plastiques concentrate
on taking individual parts of the body and being able to discover the full
range of motion by extension. Eurythmics is described as doing three or
four things at the same time. This conditions the body to do multiple things
at once.
These techniques are designed to train the body to become responsive and
capable of handling complex emotions. Knowing the full range of motion allows
the actor to have access to it while in character.
"The idea is that the actor needs to be conscious of every gesture,
every choice of vocal quality and thought at every moment that they're acting,"
said Dibbell. "This is also true of life. He [Kent] feels that we should
be conscious of the choices you are making and what kind of action we take
in our own community."
One of the reasons the Theatre Department brought Kent's work into ULV classrooms,
Dibbell said, is that "it not only addresses the development of acting
skills, but the development of the whole person."
Of the benefits that come from conscious acting, Dibbell said, "You're
going to know who you are, how you are coming across to people. You're going
to be able to empathize with other people, be able to read their behavior
much, much better, so it enhances every part of your life."
Dibbell studied under Kent for about three years. She participated in workshops
and co-taught with Kent while also receiving private lessons.
The Theatre Department is now developing the Steven Kent Institute for Conscious
Acting where students are exposed to workshops, studios, work study programs,
internships and special guest artists that liberate the students so they
are able to build initiative and become socially conscious while developing
originality.
Mark Pietrzak, technical director for the Theatre Department, participated
in one of Kent's workshops. According to him, Kent teaches techniques that
allows the actors to explore their instrument.
"An actor's instrument is his body," said Pietrzak.
Senior Stacey Williams said, "Steve's approach is unique among what
I've read."
She previously had trouble with emotional accessibility while acting, until
using Kent's techniques.
"We don't necessarily have to be feeling the emotion to exhibit it,"
she said.
A series of video tapes are being developed by the Theatre Department in
order to teach Kent's techniques. It is a way of honoring him, since he
has not had the time to write anything down himself.
Theater classes offered next spring using this technique are Stories Alive,
Conscious Communication and Oral Communication.