Jerzy Grotowski

Master director, teacher, and theorist, Jerzy Grotowski’s work extended well beyond the conventional limits of performance. Now revised and reissued, this book combines:

● an overview of Grotowski’s life and the distinct phases of his work

● an analysis of his key ideas

● a consideration of his role as director of the renowned Polish Laboratory Theatre

● a series of practical exercises offering an introduction to the principles underlying Grotowski’s working methods.

As a first step towards critical understanding, and an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners offer unbeatable value for today’s student.

1. BIOGRAPHY AND CONTEXT Grotowski’s formative years Theatre of Productions (1959–69) Theatre of Participation/Paratheatre (1969–78) Theatre of Sources (1976–82) Objective Drama (1983–6) Ritual Arts or Art as Vehicle (1986–99) 2.GROTOWSKI’S KEY WRITINGS "Towards a PoorTheatre" (1965) "Skara Speech" (1966) "Holiday" [Swieto] "The day that is holy" (1970, 1971, 1972) "Theatre of Sources" (1997) "Tu es le fils de quelqu’un (You are someone’s son)" (1989) "Performer" (1988) Summary 3.GROTOWSKI AS DIRECTOR Grotowski in rehearsal Grotowski and the actor Analysis of a key production: Akropolis 100 Description of key scenes from Akropolis Paratheatre events Action: the final opus 4.PRACTICAL EXERCISES Preparations The actor’s body The actor’s presence: to see Untaming Precision Coordination and rhythm The actor’s voice: to listen The actor’s score: to do The actor’s partner: to meet Afterword

James Slowiak is Professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Akron, USA and co-artistic director of New World Performance Laboratory. He assisted Jerzy Grotowski in the Objective Drama Program at the University of California-Irvine and in Italy from 1983–1989.

Jairo Cuesta is co-artistic director of New World Performance Laboratory. He collaborated with Jerzy Grotowski on Theatre of Sources and the Objective Drama Program from 1976–1986.