Anatomy of presence: Fundamental principles of Somatics for Performance (introductory workshop).

What are the essential qualities of an embodied performer? What is presence? How often entering the stage we loose connection to 'here and now'? How often do we feel ungrounded, shy, nervous? Why can't we be present instead of calculating what to do?

This workshop is designed for dancers and actors, for those who practice stage performance disciplines and who uses their body as an expressive tool. You will explore and practice fundamental patterns of body integration and will apply them for enriching your stage presence.

You will learn to:
- find a more effective way of designing movement;
- explore and use different qualities of attention based on body experience;
- investigate your body's unique way of movement/expression and learn to expend it;
- balance divisions of your nervous system, inner rhythms; functional and expressive/organic movement.

This workshop uses theoretical and methodological principles of two complementary approaches in Somatics: BodyMind Centering® and Laban Movement Analysis. Laban system gives a clear analytical frame and a wide view. BMC offers depth, experiential focus and methodology.

Participants will cultivate their skills useful in the realms of both dance and theater. Contact Improvisation will provide one of the mediums for exploring the nature of relationships within performance. Other mediums that we might use: visualization, didactic material, sound, hands-on, guided improvisation and specific exercises.

Requirements: simple, comfortable and loose clothing with knees and elbows covered; open mind and child curiosity; readiness to experiment and share your experience.

Vitali Kononov is a teacher, facilitator, massage therapist, somatic movement educator and movement artist working with improvisation as a performance discipline and as a contemplative practice. He was born in St-Petersburg, Russia, in 1966. After his education in computer sciences his interest turned to contemporary arts, performance and improvisation. Starting with singing and improvisational music in 80-s he later became interested in theater, dance and performance art. In 1996 he joined an experimental physical theater Forest House (Saint-Petersburg, director - Olga Sorokina). After he moved to Moscow in 2000 he performed and taught with Angela Doni. He studied contemporary dance, physical theater, contact and ensemble improvisation, clowning, Alexander Technique, Laban Movement Analysis, release-technique, BMC, Hakomi Therapy, Process Work, Feldenkrais, Somatic Movement Therapy. After he moved to USA in 2001 he dedicated himself to bodywork and movement studies and further teaching and performing contact and improvisation. He taught at Moving On Center - School for Participatory Arts and Somatic Research since 2002. He was a faculty member of ADF (2003-04). He participated in European and American Contact Teachers Conferences and co-organized 1-st Russian Contact Improvisation Exchange in Moscow. He is a regular teacher and organizer of contact improvisation events in San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. He is a Somatic Movement Therapist and has a private bodywork practice in Berkeley, California.

27 and 28 July 2007

The workshop costs 30 Euro (1000 rub), registration by e-mail or by phone: lesnayao@yandex.ru +7 (812)342-4156 mob. +7(911)913-8439 – Olga; rekayelena@front.ru mob. +7(901)301-2075 - Yelena, julia-bylenok@yandex.ru mob. +7(921)323-1112 – Julia.