Physical Artistic Awareness

In my Physical Artistic Awareness classes, on the one hand I emphasize a basic knowledge and basic awareness of the body, certain muscle groups and the skeleton per se. Not in a theoretical way, but by feeling and doing. My focus is often on the sacrum and sacrum because for me these are two important points from which movement starts. The spinal column and its various directions, rotations – in short, movements – is also often a starting point. On the other hand, I emphasize movement deployment with a view to a more theatrical or performative approach.

I find it very interesting to guide students in exploring a particular physical and mental concentration. For example, a performer may be “consciously ‘not conscious’ or absorbed by a certain concentration (absorption)” on the floor. Or the opposite, very consciously opening to an audience, which has a clear impact on how a body responds to the floor. Also, in relation to each other and to peripheral space.

  • General physical awareness and physical control
  • To the floor and vice versa (falling, melting…)
  • Alignment
  • Balance and off-balance
  • Core
  • Floor work
  • Strength and flexibility
  • Dynamics like sharp and soft

Sylvie Huysman studied at P.A.R.T.S. and the mime school (theaterschool of Amsterdam), as well as at the AP Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp. She danced with Michèle Noiret and Truus Bronkhorst & Marien Jongewaard, among others. She then worked as a player/actress with Lotte Van den Berg, Orkater, hetPaleis, De Gemeenschap, Ensemble Leporello, Birgit Kersbergen and many others. Since 2010, Sylvie has been making her own performances and in 2019 she will take a break to study theatre and flm sciences at the University of Antwerp. Resets. Meanwhile, she graduated.

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