The Suzuki technique was developed by Tadashi Suzuki and his theatre company in Japan. It is influenced by various traditional theatre forms and martial arts techniques both Japanese and non-Japanese (such as Kendo, Kabuki, Kathakali). Its objective is to enhance the actor’s physical presence and awareness to his/her body in space and to connect the entire body to the voice and breath. Working on grounding the core of the body through strong work of the feet, the actor learns to separate the strong lower part of the body from the relaxed upper part of the body. It also affords the actor a connection between the body, breath and voice.
The Viewpoints technique was created by choreographer and (post) modern dance teacher Mary Overlie and later adapted for theatre and further developed by acclaimed director Anne Bogart. In this technique the actor develops awareness to their bodies in relationship to elements of time and space. Through a deconstruction of the actors’ habitual environment and relationships this technique heightens their kinesthetic responses to each other and helps facilitate group creation through improvisation.
