Source Work for Actors (Paperback)

Diane Edgecomb

ISBN 10: 1803095172 / ISBN 13: 9781803095172

Published by Seagull Books London Ltd, Greenford, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. An actor delves into the electrifying world of Jerzy Grotowski's Polish Laboratory Theatre. The legacy of Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski comes to life in this personal account of a workshop and intensive with Laboratory Theatre master actor Zbigniew Cynkutis. This volume provides a rare window into the actor training and performance practices of one of the most influential and revolutionary theaters of the twentieth century. Drawing from extensive notes and recordings made during Cynkutis's last workshop in the United States, Diane Edgecomb's Source Work for Actors takes us to the heart of the workshop experience from the perspective of a young actor determined to make this process her own. Cynkutis's voice and presence are palpable throughout the book as he guides a group of actors to a deep understanding of his artistic philosophy and craft. Stimulated by a developing series of tasks, Laboratory Theatre training exercises, and Cynkutis's startling demonstrations, the group is challenged to bring their whole selves to the work and to reimagine what is possible in theatre. This compelling volume bears witness to the power of a deeply visceral form of theater and illustrates why the works of Grotowski and his actors have had such a profound impact on generations of theater artists. It is sure to stimulate students, challenge directors, and inspire innovative work. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781803095172

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Source Work for Actors (Paperback)
• Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd, Greenford
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1803095172
• ISBN 13: 9781803095172
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

An actor delves into the electrifying world of Jerzy Grotowski’s Polish Laboratory Theatre.

The legacy of Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski and the skills of his legendary actors come to life in this personal account of a workshop and intensive with Laboratory Theatre master actor Zbigniew Cynkutis. Drawing from her extensive notes and recordings, Diane Edgecomb takes us to the heart of the workshop experience as a young actor determined to make this process her own. Cynkutis guides the participants to a deep understanding of his artistic philosophy and craft, giving them invaluable tools and sources to enrich their acting. Stimulated by a developing series of tasks, Laboratory Theatre training exercises, and by Cynkutis’ startling demonstrations, the group is challenged to bring their whole selves to the work and to reimagine what is possible in theatre.

The intensive proceeds from exercises familiar to those who have studied Grotowski to innovative explorations of dramatic text and character which draw from theatre sources based in the primal energies of nature. Those who have been mystified by academic writings on the work of the Laboratory Theatre will find this personal story refreshing and accessible, filled with advice and exercises grounded in the rich conversational style of a charismatic master actor. Links to audio files of Cynkutis speaking as he leads the work lend an invaluable immersive element to the book.

This compelling volume bears witness to the power of a deeply visceral form of theatre and illustrates why the work of Grotowski and his actors has had such a profound impact on generations of theatre artists. It is sure to stimulate students, challenge directors and inspire innovative work.

About the Author

Diane Edgecomb is an award-winning theatre artist and storyteller of mythic, original, and personal tales. She has trained and performed with Grotowski-oriented ensembles Stage One Theatre Lab and Double Edge Theatre and continued her development of Zbigniew Cynkutis’s teachings with her solo performance Restraints. Her writings include A Fire in My Heart (2008), the first book of Kurdish folktales to appear in English.