SCENIC IMAGINATION - METHOD of INNER STAGE

My doctoral research, "Scenic Imagination - Method of Inner Stage. A phenomenological approach to psychophysical acting", focuses on the work of the stage actor creator - on his/her inner life. Scenic imagination is approached from both artistic performances and phenomenological research. The hypothesis is that, prior to a performance, “the stage” can be constructed inside the actor/performer. From my experience as an actor/performer, I describe an alternative conceptualization of contemporary performance work, based not on acting as representation, but as a work taking place in inner bodymind.

In the acting method to be developed, the bodily felt sensations and mental pictures form the score of the performance. This phenomenon can be called “The Inner Stage”.

The practice-based parts of this artistic research (i.e. the performances) take place in Teatteri Siperia, Tampere (Finland). I am a founding member of this professional theatre group. Also the experiences of other actor/performers in Siperia theatre group will be considered.

The main tasks in the research are:
1) to describe on what kind of inner skills or techniques the work as ‘enactor/doer’ is based. How is aesthetic inner bodymind awakened through breathing and vocal exercises, combining both movement and voice. Own exercises to cultivate “The Inner Stage” are introduced.

2) to explore how mental pictures and bodily felt sensations form the score of the performance and how “The Inner Stage” takes place in the actor/performer’s bodymind. What is the relationship between physical and psychic – outer and inner – in this kind of conceptualization of actor/performer artistic work?

3) to create performance(s) and materialize how “The Inner Stage” is shared between performers and audience, or between one performer and audience.

MB.