Theatrical Research Participation
From May 1st to November 14th, 2023, the Theatrical Research Participation took place at Leyden Academy. Marjolein was the first Artist-in-Residence within this scientific research institute focused on Aging & Vitality.
“In this project, I utilized the Michael Chekhov acting technique as a means and methodology for research. This means that every participant is both a research instrument and an expressive instrument, and as a group, we work together from the standpoint of Creative Individuality. The co-creation process emerged in the job interview from a question: ‘What would you like to achieve, and how can this ‘free work’ contribute to it?'”
TOP Team of All Stakeholders
With 6 researchers aged 23 to 46 and 6 ‘elders’ aged 56 to 84, we are investigating the themes of Aging, Vitality & Creativity. With this TOP team (Theatrical Research Participation team), we create & perform scenes based on everyone’s own research question. Over the course of 10 sessions, we work in constantly changing compositions on the questions that exist within our team and in society.
At the same time, we train the skills necessary to conduct the research in this way: staying in observation, accepting what is, engaging and staying in contact, and following your impulse.
How? The Michael Chekhov Acting Technique
I have used the tools from the Michael Chekhov acting technique ‘in reverse’. Where a theater maker consciously creates atmosphere, shapes the imagination or inner gesture of a character in service of the essence of the play, we have used this technique here to ‘unravel reality’ and get to the essence of the theme. Obstacles become working material and are made concrete in image, movement, or intention. This turns ‘invisible and intangible’ information into concrete data for research. In the Michael Chekhov acting technique, the ‘mind’ and ‘personalizing perception’ are recognized as the obstacles in the creative process. Obstacles that are frequently addressed in our research: How do you ‘get out of your head’ and into observation? How do you get out of assumption? How do you connect the underlying principles of art & creativity with research? How do both imaging and shaping remain in motion throughout the research process?
On November 7, 2023, we shared our process up to that point with the public in a presentation with a discussion as the second-to-last step in the research process. Both the performers and the audience gave feedback that ‘everything seemed to flow naturally, the form emerged, everyone stood in their own power, and it was experienced as a whole’. In this, the 4 ‘brothers’ ease, form, beauty & whole can be recognized. Several people in the audience expressed interest in participating: this form of research and sharing prompts activity in the viewer! In the discussion, words like fresh, vulnerable, deeply human, uncertain, and connected were mentioned. For a report of this presentation from the perspective of Leyden Academy, click here.
Result
This project demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach and the commitment of all participants. It opens doors to inspiration for conducting research in a fundamentally different way and involving the people it concerns. Training perception, imagination, and knowing how to deal with information = data in the moment opens a path that removes research from mere thinking and makes ‘uncomfortable’ data such as bodily & emotional perceptions and intuitions effective in the whole. It also paves the way for a future where ‘ensemble’ work, equality, and ownership of the collected data by all involved are guaranteed. It is evident that this requires training and refinement, the courage to truly stay with perception, and to accept the consequences. A beautiful gift for all involved!
With thanks to
Leyden Academy and the TOP team consisting of Rita Perez, Addy Camper, Yvonne Lengams, Cees van Beukering, Lizette Kupper, Marjolein Baars, Daniëlle Swart, Tamar Shahinian, Tom Maassen, Lieke de Kock, Eveline Kiela, Jana Kerssies, Daphne Raad.