Brecht Workshop 4: Verfrumdungseffekt

There are two activities in this workshop. The first one was where a person was describing an object that the others cannot see as if it was foreign. This was a representation of Brecht's concept: Verfremdungseffekt, which was also named the alienation effect. This allowed the audience to recognise the reality but also see things from a different point of view. This activity helped us understand how the effect took place.

The second activity was where a "alien documentary" of human life was made about something ordinary. We made a documentary about school, where there was the existence of school bells, teachers, and books. We played with describing the normal objects as foreign things. Also, we played with making the performance really looking like a documentary where it could be rewinded and paused. The reporter in the act was to be the person that speaks to the audience about the act and distances the audience away from the actors. This was how Brecht used this effect in his work. Therefore, through these workshops we had learned and experienced how to use Brecht's concepts in theatre work.

Brecht Workshop 3: Exaggeration Vs Realism

During this workshop, we had two volunteers that acted out a scene between a doctor and a patient. This doctor was set to be one that was evil and was greedy for money. The patient was a patient in need for treatment that was poor with no money. The first time the scene was acted out, it was to be normal.
The second time, the actors were asked to exaggerate their actions.
However, the actors had exaggerated it too much, that the message became unclear. Therefore, that was when we realised that sometimes it is not good to exaggerate too much. The appropriate amount of exaggeration has to be used so that the message is clear.















The third time, was when the right amount of gestus was used, and the message was clear that how doctors are greedy.

Brecht Workshop 2: Gestus

For this workshop, there were two activities that were done. The first activity was Nursery Rhymes and the second one was Still Images.
Nursery Rhymes:
During this activity, we were split in pairs and stood on opposites of the room facing each other. Then we were to choose a nursery rhyme and sing it across the room all at the same time. The aim was to let the other person on the opposite side of the room know what you are singing when they are singing theirs to you. To make that happen we had to use big movements, body language, big gestures, etc.

First, we were shy to express ourselves fully, so we were quiet and used small gestures. Later, we were asked to do it again, and asked to exaggerate our motions. This had helped us to really start using exaggerated motions in the workshops. We had all started to become louder in sound and bigger in actions. Therefore, I thought that this activity was very useful for our learning process.

Still Images:
During this activity, we were split into groups of three and two. Then we were asked to produce 4 images that explain each love, fear, regret, and respect.

Later, we were to narrate whatever was behind the story of the still images.

By presenting stories using still images, puts situations 'under the microscope'. With narrating, the still images are presented into full situations.Therefore situation rather than character is the basis for the action.
This had helped us understand Brecht's concepts of theatre.

Brecht Workshop 1: Introduction to Style

On February 7, 2017,  we had our first Brecht workshop. We learned before the workshop about Brecht's work briefly. Mainly about the ways he uses to stress non-realism in his work to allow the audience to have the ability to think and judge rationally. We worked on 4 workshops on that day.
During the first workshop, we were told to act out something we do everyday (i.e. morning routine). Then later we were told to act it out again, but narrate every single action done in the act.

This workshop's aim is to introduce us to Brecht's style of narrating what is exactly happening on the stage. This style he uses helps fulfill his purposes, since it gives the ability to think and judge clearly to the audience. This workshop helped us to be introduced to the active theatre used in Brecht's workshops. It started us off to be more comfortable to be acting exaggerated moves. I thought that it was a good start for the day.