Central has a long-standing and well-recognised place for the dissemination of actor movement disciplines within the British theatre scene. Whilst the Movement Studies course draws on that inspiring tradition, innovation and participation in the future of the field of movement for actors is central to the philosophy of the course.
You may be an actor or dancer who wants to diversify your skills and knowledge, someone who works with actors (a dance or movement teacher for example, or a theatre director with a movement history), or a practitioner (from an allied field of sport/holistic practice), who wants to enhance your understanding of various practical/theoretical interfaces regarding movement in contemporary performance. This may extend into classical theatre, physical and devised theatre, puppetry, animation, film and opera.
The MA Movement Studies includes specialist, vocational teaching in the field of movement for actors, production practice for movement directors and bespoke movement placements at Central and in other professional theatre settings (both in Britain and Internationally). Opportunity for development of individual movement specialisms and their application to the work of actors.
You will undergo a formalised and systematic actor movement education that coincides with the emergence of a widespread social interest in all aspects of physicality and the body. There is a firm emphasis on Laban’s movement philosophy and Lecoq’s spatial and physical techniques, but the overall approach is eclectic and celebrates a variety of methods. You may expect to encounter the work of movement practitioners, such as Feldenkreis, Bogart, Roth, Suzuki, Alexander, Pisk, Humphries, Barba and Grotowski.
Teaching methods lay equal emphasis on individual and group development, through individual tutorials, group seminars and workshops. Practical sessions are designed to enhance your skills as a movement teacher or movement director. You will also undertake placements both within Central and in professional settings for example, other conservatoires or theatre/opera/film organisations.
By the end of the course you should be able to: demonstrate and communicate an informed understanding of actor movement; teach and direct actor movement and its allied subjects; undertake further independent research and self-development in the field; and reflect analytically. You should be able to go on to work within professional theatre, film and television, movement education settings or, indeed, within drama schools.
Key Features
Practical and vocational. Specialist education in the study and practice of movement for actors. Applied learning through placements. Opportunity for scrutiny of individual movement specialisms and their application to the work of actors.
