Shakespeare and Laban: A Physical Theatre Workshop

Jaq Bessellhas directed over 40 professional productions of plays by Shakespeare and by modern playwrights in New York and London, and in regional theatres across the USA. Her career began in casting at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, and she was Head of Research at Shakespeare’s Globe under Mark Rylance’s tenure, where she advised the Artistic Directorate on early modern stage practices and developed her interest and expertise in verse-speaking. In 2016 she and the renowned dancer and director Lindsay Kemp co-directedRomeo and Julietfor the Verona Shakespeare Festival, and this collaboration led to the founding of NOMA Physical Theatre, whose somatic approach to classical text exceeds the boundaries of language and disciplines. Jaq regularly leads workshops in verse-speaking, Shakespeare, and the Viewpoints, in the UK, in France and in Italy.She has taught in conservatoires on both coasts of the USA, and now leads the MA/MFA Acting programme at the Guildford School of Acting. She is the author ofShakespeare in Actionfor Arden Shakespeare, and has published extensively on Shakespeare in performance, in chapters and articles which stem from her work as a director and teacher of acting.Laura Westonis a dancer, movement director and Laban practitioner and has been working across the performing arts industry for the last 14 years. Since graduating in Dance Theatre from Trinity Laban in 2005 Laura has performednationally and internationally in works by Sarah Michelson, Thomas Hauert, Rashpal Singh Bansal, Crystal Pite and Athina Vahla.Her movement practice seeks to bring awareness to the internal landscape of breath, sensation, motion and image and how these can be expressed through our body into the three-dimensional world in creative and playful ways. Her work is based on the structure of Laban’s Kinesphere, our body’s interaction with it and the creative potential it offers for artists from across dance, theatre and movement disciplines. She has taught and directed at several conservatoires in the UK including Rose Bruford, Mountview, London Studio Centre and the Guildford School of Acting and led workshops in Norway, Italy and Bulgaria.Laura was movement director and Laban coach on several bi-lingual Shakespeare productions in Bulgaria between 2015-2017 and was also part of the creative team for Jaq Bessell and Lindsay Kemp’s production ofRomeo and Julietin Verona in 2016.Her physical theatre companyState of Fluxare Breakthrough Artists at the Curve in Leicester and are developing their latest work(don't) touch mewhich was performed at this year's New Work Festival. She will also be returning to work with the Guildford Shakespeare Company as movement director on their forthcoming production of Macbeth in early 2020.

Jaq Bessell & Laura Weston

Are you an actor who loves to move, or a dancer looking to find your voice? Spend a day exploring the creative potential of the body and voice and the dynamic potential of Shakespeare’s text, in an open and inclusive environment for actors and dancers alike. Theatre director, actor trainer and author of Shakespeare in Action Jaq Bessell, and dancer, choreographer and movement director Laura Weston are bringing their workshop “Shakespeare and Laban” to London.
Over the last 6 years Jaq and Laura have developed a collaborative and innovative practice using Rudolf von Laban’s framework for movement analysis to explore the creative and expressive possibilities of Shakespeare’s text. Their work together liberates dancers and actors from the boundaries of their technique and discipline, and teaches practical methods to embody Shakespeare’s verse in rehearsal and performance.
The workshop is physically demanding, and suitable for dancers, actors and movement practitioners with at least 3 years of training or equivalent experience. Spaces are strictly limited, so booking early is advised, to avoid disappointment. 
This workshop is not to be missed!
Please contact us if you have any questions about the workshop 
laura.weston1@me.com

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Shakespeare and Laban: A Physical Theatre Workshop

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