Call to Actors: Explore/Learn from The Statement by Crystal Pite

Beyond Words and Inbetween Words

Above Netherlands Dance Theatre (NDT) clip from the ballet. See the full piece here

Physicality - The symbolic language of movement

I recommend that every young actor watch this ballet.

Crystal Pite's The Statement is nothing short of extraordinary. This captivating work of choreography transcends the conventional boundaries of physical movement and language. A profound exploration of power, conflict, and control through body language, The Statement is a visceral experience where movement, lighting, cinematography, and script come together to deliver an experience that speaks far beyond words and makes an indelible impression in the mind. Whether or not you are a dancer, I wager you will not forget what you see and that new movements and positions will embed in your muscle memory of your imagination as empirical expressions of these emotions.

When you think of iconic characters from stage or screen, I believe they have been considered similarly - to the tips of the fingers. Learning how to put your entire body into the character and the character into your entire body seems to me to be under explored compared to the psychological. Pite's use of physicality in every gesture, every pause, every breath deepens understanding and creates a imaginative point to jump off from. I think this piece could serve as inspiration for developing workshops or character development techniques for young actors.

I am reminded of an interview with Steven Spielberg with James Lipton where he explians when he is making and editing his films he watches them without sound to determine if the story is being conveyed or not.

Because they are dancers every single part of their body is considered. To convey a feeling, a word, and the story they use their entire body from head to toe to tips of fingers. Nothing is left outside of the expression. In doing this they expand and deepen the meaning of every word and of the piece as a whole. Although in theatre, acting a scene would never go as far as it does in dance, the idea of considering your body and how it might change across the arc of a scene, what positions might amplify or anchor your character or their message in the minds of the audience is critical. By considering every detail from shoulder tension to angle of head to fiinger tips as if you were a dancer and had no words to tell your story might create a new framework for developing your character while workshopping the role.

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Beyond Words and Inbetween Words

Inspired by Crystal Pite's The Statement, I am interested in collaborating to create a theatre workshop that explores expression and emotion in movement and delves into the deeper layers of what our bodies can convey beyond words and inbetween words.

In my world of visual communications there are strong paralells between the use of symbolism, rhythm and empty space. In The Statement, the pauses and stillness between movements feel just as crucial as the actions themselves. I believe is often in the betweenness where the magic lies. The betweenness is where the silent communication of body language is at its most powerful. The ability to evoke emotion, meaning, and connection emerges through both the movement and the lack thereof. Restraint, hesitation and an understanding of how the parts combine to build the whole is key.

“The iconic imprint of a single, physical expression has the power to define an actor’s entire arc of a scene, creating an indelible mark on the audience. How to explore this intrigues me.” - Katja Maas

If you are a dance teacher, acting teacher or director who shares my fascination with the potency of physicality, and the spaces beyond or inbetween words and are interested in developing a workshop that could help young actors devellop their craft, I invite you to get in touch with me at katja@maascreatives.com or (via the comments below). Or if you would rather develop this idea on your own - that is fine too - please share it with the talented teens of Greensboro :-)

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Footnotes: Two additional rehearsal videos of The Statement, with Crystal Pite, interviews with dancers, and Royal Ballet company.