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The Alexander Technique in the training of actors by Steven Hallmark
Through examples of how the Technique can be applied to acting, the author argues that basic chair and table work in the Technique provides the acting student with the essential fundamentals for all forms of acting. He relates how the Technique informed his own acting studies in 1973, and he describes some of the exercises he used for acting students in Stockholm in 1993-99. These exercises include work in communicating basic movement intentions, improvisation work, Stanislavski work, voice work, mask work, and clown work. The article introduces the Alexander Technique.
Flecto-sapiens-orials by Christine Ackers
In suggesting another name for homo sapiens the author is arguing that bending is more characteristic of - and important to - humans than realised. An awareness of the freedom we have in bending compared with many animals might make us appreciate and utilise this special skill better. Bending with good use requires freedom of the joints, which in turn requires good co-ordination of the whole musculature. Freedom is achieved by “unbending”, i.e. an extension in which lengthening of the musculature can take place. The article introduces the Alexander Technique.
Looking both ways by Polly Waterfield
This article looks back on recent training while looking ahead to the development of a teaching style. The starting point is the fact that Alexander teaching is based on our responses to being taught, and that therefore reflecting on one’s own learning experience is an important part of becoming a teacher. In reflecting on the difficulties the author encountered in learning, she discusses the nature of primary control, means and ends, habit, direction and inhibition, faulty sensory appreciation, use and function, and psychophysical unity.
Reflections on the “Opinion survey on voluntary self-regulation” by Walter Carrington
In the Spring of 2005 STAT sent out a survey to its members with the single question: “Do you think that STAT should continue to participate in the work of the Alexander Technique Voluntary Self-Regulation Group?” In arguing that the ATVSRG is unable to fulfil some of its purposes, Carrington addresses two issues. First, he is arguing that teachers’ primary source of work will arise from their own application of the Technique. Second, he argues that the Technique will not achieve universal recognition because of any verbal exposition, and that recognition will come only from individuals who have practical experience of the Technique.
Two interviews with Walter Carrington by Hidemi Hatada
The questions for these interviews were submitted by readers of STATNews in response to a request by Hidemi Hatada. She has added questions of her own. The first interview covers mainly individual teaching issues such as direction, inhibition, ordering, teaching in groups, and teaching children. The second interview deals primarily with teacher training issues such as Alexander’s training course and the development of the structure of the Carringtons’ training course. Both interviews discuss lying-down work.
Book reviews
"Posture, Poise and Positive Health" by Dr Grahame Fagg - Reviewed by Jean M. O. Fischer
Behind the chair: Great advertising campaigns (that never were)
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