From Fayra Teeters:

As promised, I’ve attached my workshop proposal for Menucha 2022 – I intend to arrive on Saturday, Nov. 12th in time for Circle and pitch my presentation then, but already have the interest of 10 or so people who definitely want to attend – my hope is to give the workshop in the 1-3 pm time slot.

I’ve also attached two photos of my very last show:  Winnie the Pooh and Lao-Tzu too    the first shot features me as Rabbit with my favorite actor playing Eeyore (Ken Dembo); the 2nd photo is a hoot with me as Snail.

 

SICA Workshop Proposal – Menucha, Nov. 2022                                                    Fayra Teeters

Cultural Archetypes Channeled through the Latihan

Bringing Inner Awareness into the Outer World in Subud

Duration:  2 hours

 

These movement exercises evolved some 45+ years ago as an attempt to communicate to non-Subudian theatre artists how to access their inner wisdom to honestly and vividly portray characters onstage.

Archetypes are the most vivid and ancient vehicles for dialing into universal truths about all mankind. They provide a direct experience of harnessing inner receivings into being able to project those receivings into the world, no matter what your choice of cultural endeavor.

This workshop will tap into a form of networking that will create local understanding of the global community, as well as nurture the expression of creativity with the power to inspire and heal.

1. Leading with different parts of the body. Participants stand quietly and centered in their own receiving, then walk about the room in whichever direction they are led to walk, at their own pace, leading with whichever part of the body their gait takes them. Side coaching from the Instructor: “Simply take notice of which part of your body you normally lead with, what your normal stride and pace are.”

Transition into leading with the feet, putting all your energy & focus into your feet. Try tiptoe, outturned feet, pigeon-toed, flat-footed, heel-first. How does leading this way affect the rest of your posture & gait? What character types come into your awareness as you do this? Charlie Chaplin built an entire career on leading with his feet.

Move up the body to the knees (Groucho Marx), thighs (John Wayne), hips (Mae West & Columbina in commedia dell’arte), belly (WC Fields & Dotore in commedia), chest (Heroic for both men & women), shoulders (lion-walk/strider), chin (any bully), nose (snob & busybody), and forehead (worrier/stuck in one’s intellect).

2. Cultural Archetypes. Participants stand quietly, then slowly form themselves into statues of each named archetype. When their statue is complete, stride about the room maintaining the archetype form, starting very slow, then moderate pace, then fast.

We will discuss insights received after the archetype exploration:

King/Queen/Ruler/Chieftan – positive side means sacrificing for the good of the people

negative side = a tyrant/despot/dictator

Wizard/Advisor/Philosopher/Sage/Crone

Pompous Pedagogue/Dotore/Owl in Winnie the Pooh

Prince/Hero/Knight in Shining Armor

Princess/Damsel in Distress

Mother/Father/Head of Household

Wiley Servant/Columbina/Arlecchino

Zanni Servant/Cunning but dull-witted

Busy-body organizer/Yenta/minor bureaucrat

Uncarved Block/Bear of Little Brain but solid intentions

Curious-exploring Child/Alice/Christopher Robin