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The, Actor - Chorus - Text
​‘ACT international workshop 2022 '

A 5 -Day or 18-Day Voice and Performance Residency 
Directed by Anna-Helena McLean (Gardzienice, Guildhall School)
with guest facilitation by
Voice Coach and Fitzmaurice Technique Specialist Pamela Prather (SUNY Purchase, Yale, NYU)
"Life-changing! Unforgettable! Magical!"

“McLean's work as an actor trainer brings powerful transformation to students conducting them into the deepest expressive parts of themselves through intense physicality and play, ceaseless attention to ensemble, vocal release, and impulsive bravery." 
Head of Graduate Acting, DePaul University


 
ACT INTERNATIONAL 2022
A THEATRE AND FARMING INTENSIVE

GENOA, ITALY 

 
Produced by Moon Fool and directed by Anna-Helena McLean
Co-Produced by Antonella Tarditi, directing leader of the eco-village and touristic centre Centro Anidra in Northern Italy
Supported by Sarah Nichols, Erin Nicole Washington, Noah Silverstone and Robi Bogdanov-Schein
 
The offer runs from AUGUST 10-28th, 2022

- 5-day 'Creative Retreat' DROP IN or REGULAR 
10-15th August

- 18-day 'Production Project' INTENSIVE
10-28th August

Final Deadline May 5th 2022
Last interviews May 3rd 2022

LGBTQIA+ welcome
Parent-artists welcome
All nationalities welcome
​
Reasonable wheelchair access, please enquire for further details

APPLICATION PROCESS CURRENTLY OPEN

This will be a COVID-secure event with the cooperation of all artists involved
Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Policy available on request
​The workshop will also operate predominantly OFF-GRID. Participants will be asked to hand in all electronic devices at the start of the residency (t&c's apply). Wifi and landline will be fully accessible as necessary and required


"THE ACTOR-CHORUS-TEXT WORK IS IMMEDIATE, INCLUSIVE, EFFECTIVE AND UNFORGETTABLE"  
​
DEPAUL UNI

* * *

Accommodation ranges;
Communal camping and shared heated Bungalows

Prices include log cabin accommodation and meals;
from £1,250 for 5 days
from £2,150 for 18 days

​Some concessions offered for group rates and blended camping/log cabin rates. Email your enquiry outlining which strand you are interested in "DROP IN | REGULAR | INTENSIVE" with your CV and letter of intention to Robi at;
​
ACTAnidra@gmail.com

FULL DETAILS BELOW

* * *

​Join our newsletter mailing list here
 
See Anna-Helena's work in action in this video
 
* * * 
 
Join a 5-day or 18-day inter-disciplinary actor-training residency and production project in Genoa, working alongside diverse artists from all over the world. 
 
With the option to drop-in for just 5 days or contribute to an 18-day intensive devising process culminating in a performance, this opportunity provides participants with a deep insight into the core aspects of Anna-Helena McLean’s internationally renowned Actor-Chorus-Text (ACT) Ensemble Practice. This year's programme develops aspects of the director's latest research into 'feminizing' acting and voice training in the post-Grotowskian laboratory tradition by staging an original devised work inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel 'Orlando' and the Ancient Mesopotamian Epic, 'The Descent of Inanna'.
 
The training will cover: 
 
Embodied Breath work | Ensemble Balance | Musicality & Listening | ‘Mutuality’ partner work | Physio vocality and the Extended Voice | Choral Singing | Chorus & Devising | The Relational Actor | Musical Dramaturgy | Scoring a Production

The intensive strand of year's residency works to develop a production project that will play to a public audience as well as being arranged for specialist film documentation. The performance process will be supported by Producer Courtenay Johnson (Carbon Theatre), Snape Maltings and the Britten Pears Arts Residency 2022.


"Anna-Helena brings an energy and depth to the world of acting which is rare. Her experience of, and research into, the disciplines of acting, voice and body allow for a clarity and connection between her and her students that is penetrating and lasting".
Guildhall BA Acting Studies, Programme Leader



* * * 
 
Participant feedback in 2019 


An incredibly freeing and empowering experience 
 
I will be taking away the real meaning of embodied knowledge, and how the spine plays an integral role in healthy vocal production 
 
The seamless transitions from breath into singing into text is incredibly useful 

 
* * * 
 
Choose the DROP-IN, REGULAR or INTENSIVE strand for this year's residency
​


DROP-IN participants will receive: 
 
· Minimum 2.5 hours closed ACT training contact time per day 
· 2 x 90 minutes open guest facilitation by Voice Coach and Fitzmaurice Technique Specialist, Pamela Prather (SUNY Purchase, Yale, NYU)
· 30 minute closed sectional coaching '1 on 1' or in small groups with Pamela Prather

· 1 hour virtual seminar with Guest Speaker
· A personalised training sheet with running comments and feedback from the leading team
​· Optional 10 minutes '1 on 1' tutorial with the director
​· Open morning and evening sessions co-led by the ACT Ensemble and trainee team (children and families welcome to observe and informally participate)

· The opportunity to live in the rural-set eco-village and farm in Northern Italy alongside actors, musicians, performing artists and researchers from around the world 
· Time for reflection, discussion, and exploring the locality
· Optional 6-hours of hands-on farming spread over the 5-days in organic complement to the arc of the residency  
· Opportunity to live close to nature solo camping/communal camping or in shared heated bungalow accommodation, complete with 3 home-made meals a day (all dietary requirements provided for) using home-grown and local organic products
· Q & A with the eco-village and centre founding director, Antonella Tarditi plus a tour of the 25 acre grounds with its expert keepers
​· The option to acquire the high resolution master film edit of the final production, up to 12 production photos for private use and access to all selected shots on designated gallery platforms (available online) at inclusive additional charge of £120 GBP

· A certificate of participation from the ACT INTERNATIONAL 2022 Organisation
· Fresh waterfall suitable for swimming only 5 minutes walk from rehearsal site
· On-site masseuse and Finnish Sauna (reduced rates) 
· Bar and a la carte options available on request
· On-site childcare/forest school options (reduced rates with early booking) *t&c's apply
​· Facilities for accommodation upgrade and to invite guests to stay (costs and COVID regs apply) 


REGULAR participants will receive: 

REGULAR participants can expect the same as DROP-IN participants with the additional option to take part in 4.5 hours of closed ACT training per day instead of 2.5 hours. REGULAR participants also have the 'last minute' option to stay on for the full 18-days after the first 5 days have ended and in agreement with the director, for more details see below or email your CV and application and request an interview with the director as soon as possible.

N.B For those interested in the REGULAR strand, candidates should apply as above but request interview to secure a place. A successful interview and full registration also leaves open the option for REGULAR participants to stay on for the remaining days of the course at the cost of £120/day. For those who do take up this 'last minute' opportunity there will be bungalow accommodation only on offer. Camping rates will not be on offer for candidates interested in upgrading from the REGULAR strand to the INTENSIVE strand.

Participants who enrol on the REGULAR strand should expect to join ACT INTERNATIONAL from 10-15th August (arrive for dinner on 10th and either leave after lunch on the 15th or take the 'last minute' decision to stay on for the production project leaving after breakfast on the 28th August).

As mentioned above, all REGULAR and INTENSIVE candidates need to undergo an interview process before securing a place on the course. This is unlike DROP-IN candidates who are accepted on the basis of an intention letter and CV submission alone.

Participants on the REGULAR strand will sign up for the 5-day Creative Retreat but with added expectation of participating in 4.5-hours closed ACT training/day - in contrast to the the 2.5 hrs/day on the DROP IN strand and up to 6-hours compulsory farming tasks - In contrast to the optional farming tasks on the DROP-IN strand. 

To apply send a CV, headshot and letter of intention to ACTAnidra@gmail.com. Most candidates will be recommended to join the roundtable on 'what to expect' before being invited to an interview with the director (these are sometimes conducted as a group or one on one).

***To secure reduced rates all details, interview and finances must process within the deadline. 

INTENSIVE participants will receive: 

· Minimum 4.5 hours ACT training contact time per day during the 'DROP IN' phase, and up to 8-hours per day during the production process and filming

· The opportunity to contribute to a production process and perform for the public (27th August 4pm) as well as for a professional film documentary team
​· Guest facilitation by Voice Coach and Fitzmaurice Technique Specialist, Pamela Prather 90-minutes/day, for the 'DROP IN' phase only
· 1 hour virtual seminar with a Guest Speaker - Dr. Konstantinos Thomaidis (Uni of Exeter) TBC

​· A personalised training sheet with running comments and feedback from the leading artists
· The opportunity to live in the rural set eco-village and farm in Northern Italy alongside actors, musicians, performing artists and researchers from around the world 
· Time for reflection, discussion, and 2-free days for relaxing and exploring the locality (beach/boat trips and local trekking for Intensive strand only)
· 18-hours of hands-on farming spread over the 18-days in organic complement to the arc of the residency  
· Opportunity to live close to nature solo camping/communal camping or in shared, heated bungalow accommodation, complete with 3 home-made meals a day (all dietary requirements provided for) using home-grown and local organic products

· Q & A with the eco-village and centre founding director, Antonella Tarditi plus a tour of the 25-acre grounds, farm and gardens with its expert keepers
· The option to acquire the high resolution master film edit of the final production, up to 12 production photos for private used and access to all selected shots on a designated gallery platform (available online) at the inclusive cost of £120 GBP

· A certificate of participation from the ACT INTERNATIONAL 2022 Organisation
· Fresh waterfall suitable for swimming only 5-minutes walk 
· On site masseuse and Finnish Sauna (reduced rates) 
· Bar and a la carte options available on request
· On-site childcare/forest school options (reduced rates with early booking) *t&c's apply
​· Facilities for accommodation upgrade and to invite guests to stay for the performance day only (costs and COVID regs apply) 

 
The residency will culminate in an open workshop / presentation as part of ACT's organic process of devising, training, reflecting and sharing. The presentation is anticipated to take place at 4pm on the penultimate day of the residency followed by a fiesta open to (COVID compliant) friends, visitors and public.

Accommodation for up to 2 days only can be booked for guests in advance. INTENSIVE strand participants will also have the option to stay on after the 28th August on request and for an extra daily charge made payable to MOON FOOL LTD. There is wheelchair access in many parts of the site so please enquire with access needs as relevant.

All and any attendees will be expected to have a negative COVID-19 test two days before joining and expected to follow up-to-date social-distancing and hygiene protocol as recommended by the project hosts and national government at the time. Relevant up to date notifications will be shared via WhatsApp and on the Health and Safety Policy accessible to all participants online. ACT INTERNATIONAL offer an running COVID policy and announce regular Zoom meetings to answer any and all questions participants may have in regard the pandemic and travel.

* * * 

 
Participant feedback 2019 

I found a greater understanding of how musical structure transcends into breath and animate physical life 
 
I found the abandonment and flow I had been searching for 
 
I have increased confidence in myself as a performer and vocalist 


* * *
 
We are looking for: 
 
· Diverse performers of all backgrounds interested in: acting; singing; embodied voice and voice work; physical theatre; music theatre; psychophysical acting practices; international/intercultural arts exchange; ensemble theatre; immersive theatre; women in devising; feminist, queer and intersectional practice as research; the relational actor; collaborating with/as artists who are also parents; the post-Grotowskian laboratory; models of female leadership; intimacy coordination; intersectional and inclusive practices.
* * * 
 
How to Apply: 
 
Please send a CV and cover letter to ACTanidra@gmail.com outlining;

1) why you want to take part
2) which strand of the residency is of interest to you as summarised here;

DROP-IN - 2.5 hours ACT training/day, wellness coaching with Pamela Prather, optional seminar and optional farming
REGULAR  - 4.5 hours ACT training/day, 
coaching with Pamela Prather, compulsory seminar and compulsory 6-hours farming
INTENSIVE -
coaching with Pamela Prather, compulsory seminar, up to 8 hours ACT training/day, 2 days off including beach trip, production and filming project, public performance, 18-hours compulsory farming

​Candidates interested in the REGULAR and/or INTENSIVE strand need to have participated in at least one intensive ACT training immersion previously or come with significant experience in the field of Laboratory practices i.e MA Acting Graduate. Qualifying candidates may be invited to interview via Zoom before being considered for place.

There is a limit of ONLY 8 PLACES for the INTENSIVE production project opportunity, please apply early and allow time for interview prior to your preferred deadline.

 
People of all backgrounds, ages and abilities are welcome to apply*.  
 
The work will be conducted in English. 

​The venue is not entirely wheelchair accessible and the grounds are rural. Wheelchair users are welcome with a full time and fully prepared assistant.

 
*LGBTQIA+ individuals included in the equal rights policies (available on request) 

COVID-19 related risk assessed policy (available on request)


The work takes pace in a rural, mountainous setting with wildlife and farm animals and integrated part of the daily life. All ages and abilities are welcome with the rural and mountainous nature of the location in mind. Please enquire with any health concerns in advance.
 
* * * 
 
Fees in GBP: 

Participation:

​INTENSIVE £2,150 (18 days)
REGULAR / DROP-IN £1,250 (5 days)

Fees include board and 3 meals/day plus snacks (catering for all diets)

The workshop is predominantly run OFF-GRID but the option to access one professional photo to share on social media per day and access to the film edit and 12 professional shots is open to all participants at a charge of £120 GBP per person. Otherwise no photo taking or social media about the artistic development is encouraged during the residency and not until two weeks after the creative process has been closed. This will be discussed and agreed at interview and any questions welcome then.

All interviews close by deadline 5th May 2022
Payment schedules close by 29th June

 
Solo rooms and upgrades available at an additional charge

We are happy to support visa and funding applications. 
 
If you are a parent looking to bring a partner or your child/ren alone then please email for more options and special rates sharing childcare/home-schooling in situ. Please note that participants on the REGULAR and DROP IN strands will be expected to participate in all rehearsals. That means children will not be able to watch or join 'closed' work sessions without special agreements with the director and ensemble. All children onsite will be treated equally and have access to the same opportunities as one another in order to support the smooth flow of the residency and the wellbeing of parents and family during the work. All queries should be made well in advance to ACTAnidra@gmail.com 
 
* * * 

Special offers in GBP:


LOW INCOME OFFER until 30th Nov
**OFFER NOW CLOSED**

VALENTINE'S DAY Deadline 14th Feb
**OFFER NOW CLOSED**

LIMITED OFFER Until 1st March
**OFFER NOW CLOSED**


All applications, interviews and concessions close on 5th May
Bungalow £1,250  (5 days) £2,150 (18 days)

Concessions includes anyone securing funding or reductions for groups of 3 or more (all subject to strong applications and with finances cleared by 5th May)

The generous sale rates are only made possible by upfront payments processed by the deadline stated and confirmed (or in process) travel and health insurance.

* * *
 
Participant feedback 2019

I enjoyed the night rehearsal and the magic that was made between us all. I found myself stepping up in a way I would never have been bold enough to do in the past 
 
* * * 
 
Director: 
 
Anna-Helena McLean is studying for a PhD in Performance Practice at Guildhall School of Music & Drama pursuing research into ways to 'feminize' the post-Grotowskian laboratory. She was a principal of the Gardzienice theatre company in Poland (2000-2007), and toured as the title role in Electra (Barbican BITE 06). She was also musical leader in Metamorfozy and Orkiestra Antyczna (Ancient Greek Orchestra) and personal assistant to the director Wlodzimierz Staniewski, running workshops worldwide (Yale School of Drama, The Getty LA). After 6 years working with The Awake Projects, Ensemble, Love Orchestra and Youth company in Sweden (2006-2012), she founded Moon Fool International Theatre & Music Exchange in 2010. As a freelance musician, composer, lecturer, voice coach and actor, her credits include Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III (West End/Broadway/BBC) and Ensemble/Classical Text director at Royal Conservatoire Scotland. She devised two key 'Tract and Touch' projects, 'Resonant Tails' - bringing extended voice work to children with profound disabilities, and 'The Wig Show'. She recently worked freelance as a cellist in the Phosphera Duo (with Rachel Dawson and Lossenham Project) and composing for Dan Horrigan Productions. Anna-Helena currently supervises the MA in Classical Acting at Central School of Speech & Drama, Guest Lectures at Rose Bruford College and holds a permanent position as Voice & Performance Tutor on the Acting Studies BA Hons at Guildhall. www.moonfool.com 

​
Guest Facilitator, Pamela Prather:

Picture
Pamela has conducted workshops around the world specializing in laughter, voice, breath and inspiration for 20 years.  She is an Associate Professor of Theatre (tenured) at Purchase College, SUNY in the Conservatory of Theatre and President for the international Voice and Speech Trainers Association - VASTA. She is delighted to be invited back to ACT International to serve as a guest artist specializing in voice and breath.  Pamela has partnered with Anna Helena McLean in Italy, France, England, Scotland and New York City for numerous past workshops and trainings.  Pamela is currently working on a book, The Voice Coach’s Toolkit,  to be published by Routledge in 2022-23.    She has professionally coached productions for:  the Tony Award® winning Alley Theatre (Houston), Cleveland Play House, Yale Repertory Theatre, Dallas Theatre Centre, Hartford Stage Company, Primary Stages (NYC), Bay Street Theatre (NY), Underwood Theatre (NYC), The Play Company (NYC), The Edge Theatre Company (NYC), New York Classical Theatre, St. Ann’s Warehouse, & Dance Theatre Workshop (NYC) among others.  Pamela has been on faculty at Yale School of Drama, NYU and UCLA.  She received her MFA in Acting from UCLA and is certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Vibrant Voice Technique®, Laughter Yoga and Prana Yoga.  www.pamelaprather.com
Guest Speaker 2022, Konstantinos Thomaidis: 
 
The key focus of my research is the development of the interdisciplinary field of voice studies. To this aim, I have co-founded and edit the Journal of Interdisciplinary Voice Studies and the Routledge Voice Studies book series. In 2015, I co-edited Voice Studies: Critical Approaches to Process, Performance and Experience (Routledge), a book that has been described as ‘a much-anticipated and highly useful collection of essays … enriching our understanding of vocal expression and the possibilities that a burgeoning field of voice studies has to offer’ (Twentieth-Century Music, Cambridge Journals). I recently completed Theatre & Voice (Palgrave Macmillan/Springer 2017) and the co-edited volume on Time and Performer Training (Routledge 2019). Alongside voice, my main research interests are performer training, sound-based theatres and movement for actors. From 2013 to 2016, I was one of the convenors of the Performer Training Working Group at the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA). 

I have worked as an actor, director, choreographer and musician in Greece, Poland, Germany, the UK and the US. Recent positions have included: Head of Movement for Opera in Space (London; ACE-funded), Associate Artist of Experience Vocal Dance Company (NYC & London) and core member of Waving not Drowning (Grotowski Institute, Poland & London). I am the Artistic Director of Adrift Performance Makers. 

Previous guest speakers include:


Lisa Peck is Senior Lecturer in Theatre Practice at University of Sussex and Associate Tutor at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She has worked in education for over twenty-five years as a teacher educator and education consultant for the National Theatre and Digital
Theatre Plus. Her research works at the intersections between social science and humanities to explore feminist pedagogies in theatre-making and actor training. Her monograph, Act As A Feminist!: Towards A Critical Acting Pedagogy was published by Routledge in 2021.
Lisa is co-founder of RAPT (Research, Artistry, Participation, Theatre) which makes multimodal public artworks.
https://www.rapt-theatre.com/
​

* * * 
 
Links: 

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  • Home
  • Anna-Helena McLean
    • ANNA HELENA MCLEAN C.V.
    • Coaching & Corporate
    • Snape Residency 2022
  • MOON FOOL ENSEMBLE
  • Productions
    • INANNA - Work in Progress
    • TITANIA - A Solo Cabaret
    • STORM
    • Day and Night
  • ACT International Residency 2022
    • ACT TRAINING
      • CURRENT PROGRAMMES
      • ACT Online
      • Past Programmes
      • ACT Youth (Schools Programme)
  • Contact
  • Past Programmes
  • Productions
  • BLOG