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4 from ritual to theater and back: the efficacy ... - AAAARG.ORG

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age, for example, or Bound, Strong fear. With its categories of Body,<br />

Space, Shape, Effort, <strong>and</strong> Relationship, Laban Movement Analysis provides<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>ols <strong>to</strong> take <strong>the</strong> performer beyond her “patterns,” exp<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

<strong>the</strong> field of expressive possibility. The possibilities are endless. As Bharata<br />

says in <strong>the</strong> Natyasastra: “It is impossible [. . .] <strong>to</strong> know all about<br />

natya since <strong>the</strong>re is no limit <strong>to</strong> bhava-s (emotions) <strong>and</strong> no end <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

arts involved [in natya]. It is not possible <strong>to</strong> have a thorough knowledge<br />

of even one of <strong>the</strong>m, leave alone so many of <strong>the</strong>m” (Bharata-muni<br />

1996: 53). It is with this spirit that I enter, <strong>and</strong> ask o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> enter <strong>and</strong> reenter<br />

<strong>the</strong> Rasaboxes, always knowing <strong>the</strong>re are new worlds <strong>to</strong> be discovered<br />

<strong>the</strong>re.<br />

NOTES<br />

rasaes<strong>the</strong>tics 365<br />

a Rebecca Ortese worked with me for six months on developing <strong>the</strong> Rasaboxes<br />

as a rehearsal <strong>to</strong>ol during <strong>the</strong> 1999 Mabou Mines Resident Artist Program.<br />

b This idea was introduced <strong>to</strong> me by Martha Eddy, a Body–Mind Centering practitioner<br />

<strong>and</strong> teacher. Somatic refers <strong>to</strong> soma, or cell, which, according <strong>to</strong> this<br />

way of thinking, contains its own wisdom. This approach <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> body’s wisdom<br />

or knowledge is a wonderful way <strong>to</strong> approach <strong>the</strong> Rasaboxes, where <strong>the</strong><br />

different parts of our bodies are in constant dialogue with one ano<strong>the</strong>r as we<br />

search for ways <strong>to</strong> physically contain <strong>and</strong> express emotion.

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