Cathy Madden

Group Teaching and Learning Through the Eyes of Beginners

In my group classes at the University of Washington, I have the beginning students write journals about their learning process with the Alexander Technique. For teachers whose primary experience has been learning in private lessons, the group teaching process can be difficult to understand. By using the journals of these beginners (with their permission), I invite all of us to rediscover the Alexander Technique through these beginners.
I will present their words in a variety of formats, and punctuate the presentation with practical examples of what we did in class, including one version of the first 10 minutes of an introductory class. Participants in the workshop will do some of the same activities that the beginners describe in their journal.



 

At the Heart of Performance: Integrating the Alexander Technique at the Center of Performance Training

This is a 3 part presentation:

Part One—An overview of how I integrate the Alexander Technique in a performers’ process. This will include information from the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program, and my private work with theatre, music and dance professionals. (I envision this overview taking about half an hour and it will include exercises that the participants can do.)
Part Two—I will recruit performers that I work with to help me demonstrate this process as it can work over an extended period of time. I will also recruit performers who are new to me to participate and demonstrate how I begin this process.
Part Three—I will lead the whole group through several performance-oriented exercises guiding them in using the Alexander Technique so that they can gain a practical understanding of how this work enables the performer.

I will also recruit performers from people attending.