Communication in Theatre Directing and Performance: From Rehears ...

had been shown to him and an explanation given about their use, asked no questions about the research or its outcomes, nor showed any further interest in it. His treatment of my work was courteous, if distant, whereas his enthusiasm for his company and their work, particularly with children, was so enthusiastic that I was invited to observe company workshops in holiday periods. This offer was accepted gladly and produced further insight into the company. However, the lack of conversation centring on the research undertaking, despite attempts on my part to open this avenue of discussion as we chatted in breaks, lent a faint air of embarrassment to our association. Subsequently, however, I sent him a letter offering to provide the company with the data set from Study 2.

1.6. Summary Points

Bodily gestures and postures are regarded as elements of the foundation for developing and refining vocal training and for communicating artistic intention. Observations will allow the researcher to note whether this is also a component of the director’s communication selections through demonstration and, if so, whether or not it is a regular form of communication.

Potential is seen in the body to initiate feeling and expression that can be harnessed in the refining of artistic performance. This has been explored in psychological contexts, and the literature (see subsequent chapters) suggests that there is an intimate link between sound and movement, emotion and motion, that taps into unconscious aspects of emotional life.

Research in psychology points to possible conclusions that emotive energy can be harnessed as part of a conscious refining process and can be manipulated to function as a tool of learning. Through studying directors in the rehearsal context, the researcher observes and tracks the progression of extensive collaborations that are a necessary part of production for an opera to become realised. This should generate a form of directorial profile (as yet unknown) and thus help to make visible whatever interactive style is used within the context of a production.