Anjalee Deshpande Hutchinson is an Associate Professor of Theatre & Dance and the Department Chair at Bucknell University. She is a National Michael Chekhov Association Certified Teacher.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Lisa Dalton, President of the National Michael Chekhov Association

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Introduction - Getting Comfy with The Weird Stuff

• What is Non-Traditional Staging and Performance?
• Who was Michael Chekhov?
• Why are Michael Chekhov exercises a good fit when preparing performances in non-traditional spaces?
• Who is This Book For?

Chapter 2 Honoring the Obligation

• Exercise 2.1: Free Play/Open Swim (Inspired by MC's ideas on Ensemble Work)
• Exercise 2.2: The Here Silent Story (Based on MC's tools Radiating and Receiving)
• Exercise 2.3: Sculpting in Space: Back, Front and Side (Based on MC's ideas of Qualities of Movement - Sculpting) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 2.4: Voice Shapes: Playing with Archetypal Voices (Based on MC's tools Archetype, Tempo and Qualities of Movement) Exercise from Samantha Norton
• Advice From the Pros: Using the Four Brothers for Non-Traditional Staging by Lisa Loving Dalton

Chapter 3 Discovering the Delight

• Exercise 3.1: Qualities of Movement/Elemental Physicality 1(Based on MC Tool Quality of Movement)
• Exercise 3.2: Elemental Movement Quality (Based on MC tools Qualities of Movement)
• Exercise 3.3: The Rapture (Based on MC/NMCA's tools Sister Sensations and Veiling)
• Exercise 3.4: The Trinity of Psychology: Thinking, Feeling, Willing (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 3.5: Stupid, Fat and Smelly: Imaginary Body Breath Work (Based on MC tool Character Spheres) Exercise from Samantha Norton
• Advice From the Pros: Directing on the Thrust Stage: The Two-Room vs. One-Room Concept by Ed Menta

Chapter 4: Embodying 3-Dimensional Resonance

• Exercise 4.1: Avatar (Based on MC tool Imaginary Bodies)
• Exercise 4.2: Time Machine (Based on MC tools Back-Space/Front-Space)
• Exercise 4.3: Project your Energy (Based on MC tool Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 4.4: Filling space - The Full Body Dance (Based on MC tools Expansion & Radiation) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 4.5: Bring Them In (Based on MC ideas on Receiving)
• Exercise 4.6: Expanding from the Self into Outer Space (Based on MC tool Focal Points) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 4.7: Getting it off Our Chest: Freeing the Tension in the Chest, Shoulders, Neck and Jaw (Inspired by MC ideas of Sensations: Falling) Exercise from Samantha Norton
• Advice From the Pros: Lighting in non-proscenium spaces By Heath Hansum

Chapter 5: Crafting the Rhythm of Truth

• Exercise 5.1: Managing Mind Sweat (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)
• Exercise 5.2: Walking Meditation (Inspired by MC Ideas of Feeling of Ease)
• Exercise 5.3: The Matrix (Based on MC Tool Concentration)
• Exercise 5.4: Ball Work (Based on MC Tools The 4 Brothers)
• Exercise 5.5: Origins (Based on MC Tool Centers)
• Exercise 5.6: Suitcase (Based on MC Tool Centers)
• Exercise 5.7: From Stillness to Chaos: Physical Rhythms (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 5.8: Musical Cues: Inner and Outer Motivation (Based on MC tool Tempo) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 5.9: Vroom Vroom (Inspired by MC ideas of Feeling of Ease) Exercise from Samantha Norton
• Advice From the Pros: On Acting and Directing in the Arena-Or, Give Me Back My Third Dimension by Lynn Musgrave

Chapter 6: Sharing the Treasures

• Exercise 6.1: The Refrain (Based on MC tool Psychological Gesture)
• Exercise 6.2: Bubble (Based on MC's tool Personal Atmosphere)
• Exercise 6.3: Character Gestures: Vary the Repetition (Based on MC tools Psychological Gesture and Jewelry) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 6.4: Music as Character: Your Inner Monologue (Inspired by MC's ideas on Active Analysis) Exercise from Wil Kilroy
• Exercise 6.5 Tornado (Based on MC tool Personal Atmosphere) Exercise from Samantha Norton
• Advice From the Pros: Costuming in the Round, A Question of your Point of View by Sue Picinich

Chapter 7: Entering the Experience

• Exercise 7.1: The Helpers (Based on MC tools Concentration, Radiating and Receiving, Merging)
• Exercise 7.2: Revelation Spell (Inspired by MC's Ideas on The Higher Ego & Ensemble)
• Exercise 7.3: Gifts (Inspired by MC's ideas on Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Beauty)
• Exercise 7.4 Upgrade (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, and Sensations)
• Exercise 7.5 Gifts & Upgrade Combined (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality and Jewelry)
• Exercise 7.6 The Garden (Based on MC tools 4 Brothers, Qualities of Movement, Sensations, Artistic Individuality, Jewelry and Form)
• Exercise 7.7 Beauty Quilt (Inspired by MC's ideas of Higher Edo, Creative Individuality and Beauty)
• Exercise 7.8 Good Vibrations (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble) from Samantha Norton
• Exercise 7.9 Holiday Fun (Inspired by MC's ideas of Ensemble)
• Exercise 7.10 Angel Walk (Inspired by on MC's ideas of Ensemble, Creative Individuality, Beauty and the Universal Unconscious) Exercise from Wil Kilroy and NMCA
• Advice From the Pros: The Power of Suggestion by Karel Blakely

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Appendix: List of Exercises Categorized by Corresponding Michael Chekhov Tools

Bibliography

Biographies of Author and Contributors

Index