Intensive Study in Alexander Technique Principles!
The Alexander Technique Principles for Performing Arts Certification provides you with an overview and survey of the AT principles, application of these principles to your specific art form, and the ability to recognize and communicate the principles as they apply to your learning and teaching situations. This certification process is a 3 level sequence. Each level consists of a two-day unit that includes both theory and practical work. Additional materials that support the course work will be included in the course.
The Alexander Work Can Be Applied To:
- Learning and creating new material
- Developing deliberate practice and rehearsal skills
- As a bridge between practice and performance
- Enhancing performance Presence
- Connecting with the audience
- Deepening your audition skills
Participation Levels
Level I: Alexander Technique Principles
AT Principles and concepts will be presented under the following themes. Each session will include theory, activities, practical experience, and discussion.
- Unified Field of Awareness
- Inhibition and Direction (GAP Theory)
- Spatial Awareness, Support, and Thinking
- Direction, Flow, and Breath
- Balance, Gravity, and Ground Reaction Force
- Sensory Awareness and Integration
- Presence and Projection
Level II: Application of the AT Principles to your Performing Art
You will learn the AT Principles as they apply directly to and enhance the specific requirements of your discipline. Discovering how the whole body participates and supports movement in each moment leads to full body involvement in every action and gesture. Understanding the AT process for learning and change will enhance your own artistry as well as your teaching.
Here are a few of the specific topics that will be covered in each discipline.
Musicians:
- How to approach, support, and balance your instrument
- Mechanics of making sound
- Working with repetitive actions
- Posture while playing
- Playing solo, ensemble, and following a conductor
Dancers:
- How to approach and support whole body movement
- Working with repetitive actions and injury prevention
- Utilizing gravity and the ground reaction force in motion
- Mechanics of your head, neck, back, arms, legs, feet, including parallel and turned out movement
- Spatial intention and clarity
Singers:
- Breathing coordination and support
- Spatial support
- Approach to extending range, volume, and vocal stamina
- Vowel and consonant articulation
- Intention and character presentation
- Posture for singers
Actors:
- Utilizing gravity and the ground reaction force
- Adapting your posture to your character
- Breathing support and coordination
- Vowel and consonant articulation
- Spatial support
- Working with text and story
Level III: Application of the AT Principles to your Teaching
Level III is devoted to observing and communicating the AT Principles with a student centered pedagogical approach to imparting that maximizes learning and change. Each program participant have a teaching practicum where they will have the opportunity to lead a small group in an activity that relates to their discipline. Students will receive feedback on their communication.
In this level students will:
- Identify a specific task, movement, or principle they want to focus on.
- Observe the action in someone else.
- Comment on the activity applying the AT principles to that activity using the pedagogical approach taught in the class.
The three levels of certification can be taken separately and should be completed in sequence. Repeating levels is suggested given the amount of depth and nuance in each AT Principle.
