Acting ― Psychophysical Phenomenon and Process

What is the relationship between 'body' and 'mind', 'inner' and 'outer' in any approach to acting? How have different modes of actor training shaped actors' experiences of acting and how they understand their work? Phillip Zarrilli, Jerri Daboo and Rebecca Loukes offer insight into such questions, analysing acting as a psychophysical phenomenon and process across cultures and disciplines, and providing in-depth accounts of culturally and historically specific approaches to acting. Individual chapters explore:

‧ psychophysical acting and the legacy of Stanislavsky
‧ European psychophysical practices of dance and theatre
‧ traditional and contemporary psychophysical approaches to performance in India and Japan
‧ insights from the new sciences on the 'situated bodymind' of the actor
‧ intercultural perspectives on acting

This lively study is ideal for students and practitioners alike.

Phillip B. Zarilli is an actor, director, actor-trainer and scholar. He is Professor of Performance Practice in the Drama Department at Exeter University, and has published numerous books and essays including Psychophysical Acting: an intercultural approach After Stanislavski which received the 2010 ATHE Outstanding Book of the Year Award at the ATHE annual meeting in Los Angeles, USA.

Jerri Daboo is Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University of Exeter. Her work focuses on a psychophysical approach to performer training, with a particular emphasis on the work of Michael Chekhov, along with aspects of Buddhism, yoga and martial arts.

Rebecca Loukes is an actor-deviser and practitioner working with psychophysical approaches to training and performance. She is Co-Artistic Director of RedCape Theatre and is a part-time Senior Lecturer in Drama at University of Exeter.