Improv With Issues: Visit to Pig Iron Theatre Company

Day Two

Today we ventured to the Pig Iron Theatre Company‘s school in Philadelphia and met Quinn Bauriedel, one of the founding members of the company. With Quinn, we explored what it means to have a “stage presence” and how different body postures and levels of tension help us express movement and emotion. The activities helped us think about how our bodies occupy space and how we interact with the space around us. We learned how our bodies move and how that can help define a character. We worked on developing characters and stories and we played focus and trust games. We ended the day by telling a familiar story through five “frames” or pictures.

Quinn and Michael improvise.
Quinn and Michael improvise.

 

Students experiment with pushing and pulling space.
Students experiment with pushing and pulling space.

 

Annmarie and Julia reach the 5th level of tension ("action")
Annmarie and Julia reach the 5th level of tension (“action”)

 

Quinn helps Lucy and Michael reach the 6th level of tension (passion).
Quinn helps Lucy and Michael reach the 6th level of tension (passion).

 

Quinn tries the chocolate cake that George and Spencer are "passionate" about
Quinn tries the chocolate cake that George and Spencer are “passionate” about

 

Berto and Alexis show their passion for ice cream.
Berto and Alexis show their passion for ice cream.

 

Berto and Alexis reach the 7th (final) level of tension (frozen).
Berto and Alexis reach the 7th (final) level of tension (frozen).

 

Quinn works with a group on their "five frames" version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Quinn works with a group on their “five frames” version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

 

One "frame" from a "five frame" version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
One “frame” from a “five frame” version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Quotes from the day:

“Bibbity Bibbity Bop”

“We managed to go from level 1 all the way to level 7 on the emotional scale.”

“That’s not Snow White, that’s Goldilocks. And she’s not dead.”

“I ran over my neighbor’s cat. Eight lives to go.”

“The invisible chocolate cake looks so good.”

Looking forward to tackling some “issues” tomorrow!

2014 Experiences, Improv with Issues