THE SPACE INSIDE
a workshop in mind/heart/body integration and transformation with erica fae
July 21st - July 29th, 2018
Koufonisi Island, Greece
on the work:
experimental theatre pioneer, jerzy grotowski, and his company members, developed physical training exercises in the 1960’s & 70’s designed to transform not only the “actor” and their work, but also their own interior, their “inner selves”. based on this deep and profound work, we will use MOVEMENT and the BODY to chip away at systemic patterns and find a state of FLOW in the mind/heart/body system. today, there is an ever-increasing interest in personal development & transformation; bookshelves lined with “self-help” books inspire people to seek huge change. though alas, many of these books, while exciting, often remain simply as a collection of words in the mind – leaving readers with all sorts of desire for growth, but very little support as to how to actually bring the thinking about transformation into actually transforming! evolution on such a holistic level can take work. we have to weed the gardens!
in this workshop, we’ll begin with learning and training in specific physical forms that dive into the muscles, the central nervous system, and the details of articulation – providing us a physical structure to actualize thoughts & feelings into the body. we’ll then move within these forms, working with mindfulness to identify old patterns and sweat to extract them. we’ll also find ease and softness to allow new patterns to take root and begin to integrate into the mind/heart/body.
on the participant:
the workshop is open to anyone interested and willing to work intensively, physically, to get at layers and habits in the mind/heart. of course, as the training is rooted in theatre practices, actors and theatre artists may be particularly interested; though again, anyone is welcome, regardless of their work and/or vocation.
on the retreat:
prices range from 1055 euro to 1850 euro based on room choice. this includes:
. 8 nights’ stay in the beautiful Koufonisi Villas (rooms are first come, first served)
. 6 hours of work per day with Erica, one work session in the morning and one in the early evening
. 3 vegan meals a day, prepared with love & care by our on-site chef Esco
. time to enjoy the island and beaches between work sessions, as well as a day off in the middle of our work week to connect with yourself and others in quiet time and feel the shifting in your mind/heart/body settle in
on the teacher:
erica teaches physical acting training at the yale school of drama and the new school for drama (MFA programs), and she teaches “directing actors” to directors at columbia university’s film MFA program. she has also taught at NYU, naropa university, and in private workshops in the states and abroad. she first trained in grotowski-based work at age 15, and is beginning research on writing a book on her experiences with the work. other writings on teachings include an article in filmmaker magazine, a chapter/essay on mary overlie’s viewpoints in an upcoming book on mary, and a book on acting for film (in development). she was also invited as a guest speaker to a neurology lab for discussions on the intersection of this physical training and emotional/neurological release.
erica is also an actor and theatre/film maker. her first feature film (to keep the light) was awarded the fipresci prize (international critics’ prize/mannheim), best director (berlin indp film fest), best of show (bendfilm), best emerging director, 2 best narrative feature awards, and 2 best cinematography awards at festivals, and will be released in 2018. her short films have screened at festivals worldwide and been awarded 'best short' and 'best actress'. she was a guest panelist at sundance on filmmaking and social inquiry. her play, take what is yours, (with jill a. samuels) received a critics' pick in the new york times & backstage. as an actor, she's had recurring roles on HBO's boardwalk empire and doll & em, and can also be seen in feature films synecdoche new york, the savages, little children, please give and the music never stopped. she lives in nyc and is in development on her second feature film.
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