Debbie Green, MA
Debbie Green trained at the Rambert School of Ballet, Mercury Theatre, London, and followed a professional career as classical ballet dancer in Stadttheater, Kiel, Germany, and then choreographer for theatre, film and TV, including video promos and commercials on her return to London. Other formal study of dance and movement practices have included Odissi and T’ai-Chi Chuan.
She completed her postgraduate studies at Laban prior to and whilst working as a movement teacher within actor training at The Actors’ Institute, Arts Educational, RADA, Drama Studio, Samuel Beckett, Dublin and LAMDA, joining Central and the Acting course in 1989, where she was responsible for co-designing the unique movement curriculum with Vanessa Ewan. She went on to co-create the first ever MA in movement for actors with Vanessa Ewan and continues to develop and articulate in writing the experience and analysis of the practice as subject. She specialises in class-work for the long-term process of developing the actor’s body through focus on fundamental bodywork and form.
Research Areas
> ‘Grounded foot to leaping foot’ with Ita O’Brien.
> Exploration and investigation of how an actor can be guided to move from a grounded base to jumping and buoyancy. The project’s aim is to develop practice for this physical journey within the context of a western (UK) acting degree programme.
> Pliability and expressive use of the feet are essential ingredients for physical transformation: this research and interrogation of Movement Fundamental practice will culminate in a Lecture Demonstration in Autumn 2010 as well as a package of exercises as resource for movement curricula for actors.
> Researcher since 2005 and CETT Project Manager for The Actor’s Body: Identity & Image, Open Space with Susie Orbach, with the aim to promote a healthy/robust learning environment that fosters informed and confident attitudes towards the body as a professional tool, and appropriate awareness of self within the complexities of professional and industry contexts.
> Ongoing interrogation and articulation in writing of the Movement Curriculum for Actor Training with Vanessa Ewan.
Publications
2009 ‘Integrated Movement Practices and Breath’, in Breath in Action, ed. J. Boston and R. Cook London: Jessica Kingsley
Creator, ‘Trust Workshop’
2004 with C. Bryan, ‘Effective Group Behaviour in Assessing Group Practice’, Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) Paper 117
2003 with C. Bryan, ‘How guided reflection can enhance group work’, Improving Student Learning, 10, Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development
Conference Presentations
2009 ‘The Actor’s Body: Identity & Image’, Open Space Forum with Susie Orbach, Central School of Speech & Drama
2007 panel chair, ‘From Trauma to Triumph’ with A.S. Weerasinghe, S. Weston and J. Thompson, How to Act, Central School of Speech & Drama
2007 workshop leader, ‘Breath and Line’, Performance Breath, An Essential Exploration of Body, Voice and Word, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
2006 ‘Effective Group Behaviour’, University of Westminster
Exhibition
2009 - 2010 ongoing work as subject, writer and choreographer of collaborative semi-autobiographical imagery with photographer Clare Park inc. Breaking Form in ‘Performing Ourselves’, Rosetta Life, 2009 - 2010 tour including Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, 2010
