Improvisation and Incarnation in the Les Copiaus of Jacques Copeau

The Child's Game, the Actor, and the Trance

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2238-2046.2023.42741

Keywords:

Les Copiaus, Children's Play, Incarnation, Improvisation, Trance

Abstract

The paper identifies the origins of notions of improvisation and incarnation as they wereproposed by Jacques Copeau to the group Les Copiaus. It highlights Copeau's criticism of the methods of doing and learning theatre in early twentieth-century France, the director-pedagogue's observations on his children's games, and the connections between some ofthe dynamics of these games and those contained in the practices of Les Copiaus, payingspecial attention to the idea of trance. We conclude that children's play laid thefoundations for an immersive improvisation in Les Copiaus as well as contributed to theunderstanding that a dramatic character can dispense with an a priori given theatrical text,a foundation that influences theatrical practices until nowadays.

Author Biography

Rodrigo Cardoso Scalari, Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle

Rodrigo Cardoso Scalari is actor, researcher and theatre teacher. PhD in Theatre Studies by the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris III (FR), with the support of the Full Doctorate Abroad Scholarship from CAPES (Ministry of Education/Brazil). Master in Theatre by the University of Campinas (UNICAMP/Brazil), with the support of the FAPESP Master Scholarship (Government of São Paulo/Brazil). Graduated in Theatre by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS/Brazil). At the École Philippe Gaulier (FR), he studied acting styles: Le Jeu, Neutral Mask, Greek Tragedy, Larval Masks, Commedia dell'Arte, Characters, Melodrama, Shakespeare/Tchekhov, Buffoon and Clown. He is particularly interested in discussions on the education, training and direction of the actor.

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Published

2023-12-18 — Updated on 2024-05-09

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How to Cite

SCALARI, R. C. Improvisation and Incarnation in the Les Copiaus of Jacques Copeau: The Child’s Game, the Actor, and the Trance. PÓS: Journal of the Arts Postgraduation Program at EBA/UFMG, Belo Horizonte, v. 13, n. 29, p. 216–235, 2024. DOI: 10.35699/2238-2046.2023.42741. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/revistapos/article/view/42741. Acesso em: 15 may. 2024.

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Articles - Open section