Sunday, September 27, 2009

A BALANCING ACT gets reviewed in THEATRE TOPICS


The renown academic journal of ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) THEATRE TOPICS just published a wonderful review of A BALANCING ACT in its September 2009 issue, written by Barbara Sellers-Young of York University.


Excerpts:

"In fifteen chapter and six appendices, Chaulet's carefully crafted
method takes the actor on a journey from personal awareness of his/her energy system, to an application of that knowledge in the creation of a character."

"Since Stanislavski's initiation of this trend at the beginning of the twentieth century with his use of yoga to train actors, systems of body knowledge have increasingly become part of mainstream performance training.. [..] Chaulet's A BALANCING ACT is part of this transnational discourse in actor training. Its strength is in the insight it provides regarding how an actor can integrate these discursive fields within
Linka personal approach to performance, and this is the audience for whom it seems to be written."

To read the review, please go to Theatre Topics/project muse website.

Theatre Topics Volume 19, Number 2, September 2009 E-ISSN: 1086-3346 Print ISSN: 1054-8378 DOI: 10.1353/tt.0.0064

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Happy start of the new performance season!


As president Selma Botman of USM writes in her column, there are many calendars and we, in Academia, think in terms of School Year from September to May.

Performers too think in performance season, September to June; and then there is Summer stock!

Best wishes for the start of a new performance or academic season!

May you feel refreshed and energized by a wonderful summer of discoveries.

If you performed all summer, find the time to regenerate your strength and re-focus before hitting the ground and running!
Time alone, even a few days, writing, reading, resting sleeping...to be ready to start on the right track.

Personal health is so critical for good performance. To be creative, you need strength: physical strength, emotional strength and calm and grounding...

Focus on your heart and breathe deeply, and you'll be able to fly high...

For great exercises to bring your focus and energy to the next level: read A BALANCING ACT
10% discount until august 31... email energize@starlightacting.org
for more information or purchase via AMAZON at a discounted price.

Monday, August 10, 2009

New Actors for a NEW EARTH

Eckhart Tolle explains it so well: it is without ego, but with enthusiasm that we do the best transformative work to create a New Earth and awaken Consciousness.

Actors and performers, I invite you to read his wonderful books and develop your acting practice, far from the Ego, but with Joy and Presence.

By letting the flow of awareness of the Consciousness of the Universe pass through you, you become alive, present in the Now and can transform, educate and inspire others...

As he beautifully says:
"Awareness implies that you are not only conscious of things (objects), but you are also conscious of being conscious.[..] Can you feel your own Presence?"

To me, it is very close to the dual consciousness of the actor on stage, and actors should find this very easy to do.. yet, the Ego is the greatest obstacle for performers, as our training mistakenly develops it too often. Our challenge is to recognize this illusory sense of self and find our true I AM presence far from the Ego.

FMI: Eckhart Tolle, A NEW EARTH, Awakening to your life's purpose

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Feel the VIBE....


Energize! A holistic approach to acting




an energy awareness training for performers

©2009 F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

[image :
The Wave © JeanPierreRousset.com ]



In the beginning was the word … on a page, the intention, the idea, and the thought.
The thought vibrates as a wave, transforming the space and changing the atmosphere.
The vibration of the thought, as a wave, grows though space and time and creates manifestations of emotions, circumstances, events and stories. They unfold, unfurl, and break on the shore of the stage. The actor does not think but rides the wave –the vibration, the energy– and lets it grow, unfold, unleashing its power, its glory. The actor is the channel of this wave, flowing, fluid, moving through space and time. The actor-waterway lets the thought –the vibration– lead. He relinquishes full control. He lets go…

The actor watches the vibration-wave evolve through him, becoming fully human, becoming Character. The Character descends from the imagination of its creator, finding existence on the stage, and incarnating for a moment in the imaginary circumstances, in the actor’s body. The Character looks for flesh and bones to find its presence and lives for a moment, an hour, a few weeks. This fragile ball of light and thoughts suddenly becomes flesh, becomes real, and becomes a human story. The Character inhabits the actor’s body.

The actor, who is trained with the knowledge of energy awareness and has learned energy clearing techniques, has become skilled at using energy vibrations and does not get lost in them. The actor has learned to tune his instrument to the accurate channel and attract the Character’s frequency. The actor has learned to use his energy wheels of light and to process this vibration throughout his energetic body.

The actor’s body is invaded for a while and reflects the blueprint of the Character. A blank energetic canvas transformed into another being, the actor’s body changes like a chameleon, shape-shifting to reflect the new energy. Each cell, each bone, each muscle is transformed and takes on this new vibration… For a moment on stage, the Character’s love, pain, struggle, desires, challenges and fights become the actor’s ones.

The actor loves this sensation of being two. Like a mother carrying a child, being both and one at the same time, being one and being two. Being self and someone else, but still watching from the inside, from outside, beyond and above; watching closely to keep control and to let go at the same time. Like a dance with two partners, they intertwine and separate.

The actor becomes a Living Work of Art.

Then the applause breaks the magic and the actor must say goodbye, let the energy return to a ball and to the page, and let go of the mirage of the attraction, addition, and dependence. The actor must return to self and become one again…This is the dangerous moment when the actor is tempted to hold on, to keep the other self, and never go back to the monotony of daily normality. This is the risky instant when the self can be lost, and the Character wants to take over the flesh and merge with it.

But with willpower and energy clearing knowledge, with proper energy awareness training and practice, the actor can say goodbye for a while or forever, and return to his true self, to his joy, his happiness, his peace and his balance. The actor has learned to clear his instrument before and after the performance. The actor has learned to transform the Character’s energy and remove the negative pull at the end of a performance. The actor knows how to get rid of blocks and avoid the traps. The actor is an energy athlete.

Tomorrow it will start all over again.
It’s A Balancing Act.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

An Actress with a Mission

How an Iranian actress uses her work, in spite of it all, to teach, inform and educate...
Oscar nominated Shohreh Aghdashloo ( House of Sand and Fog, 24) plays in the intense movie "The Stoning of Soraya M." the role of an Iranian villager who stands up for her niece, who is accused of adultery and sentenced to death.
Sometimes acting becomes more than entertainment...Link

read more here:
the movie:

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Interesting questions on practicing your self-clearings

Images by Katheryn Caouette
© Chaulet 2008



QUESTION: I have noticed as I have practiced clearing the chakras, that I seem to have the most difficulty getting through the throat chakra and the 3rd chakra. What kinds of things can I do to work on areas that seem more stuck?

Emmanuelle Chaulet's answer:

Areas that are stuck are usually sign of a block. and when you reach a block you need to ask yourself: " What is this block telling me?" "Which part of me is trying to speak up?"

Throat chakra issues are about saying what you mean, expressing your truth, speaking up when something is a problem. Third chakra issues are about personal power, expressing oneself in the world with our will and our strength. The third chakra is also known as the "will center". It is our capacity to say no, to assert our authority, to assert our will.
So you need to ask yourself: "which are the issues when I don't speak up to say what bothers me and fail to assert what I want?"... I am sure something will come quickly to the forefront and you'll say to yourself: "Ah , that's it!"
Then, you want to keep clearing the issue by sending light, and raising your vibration above the block and perceiving the block clearing in your mind's eye.

Sometimes when blocks are too strong and too deeply entrenched, the help of a practitioner can really get you passed it.
To find practitioners in your area, look at the appendix of the book A BALANCING ACT.

Read more on clearing blocks on Chapter X. A technique using the polar opposite is quite efficient (read Chapter VIII).



QUESTION: [You express] the idea that the expansive feeling we experience on stage results in, or results because of, an expanding aura, and that we need to bring the aura back in closer to us after the show, to return to normal life. We all love that feeling of expansion. I think it's why many of us continue our lives in the theatre. The complication is that we don't want the feeling to stop afterwards! How can we protect the aura but keep the feeling of exuberance that accompanies the experience?

Emmanuelle's Answer:

This is a great question. The feeling of expansion is extraordinary, and we get addicted to it. You get it while performing, teaching, exercising, and also with sugar, alcohol and some drugs.
It is clear what the dangers associated with using sugar, alcohol and drugs are. However there are also real dangers associated with aura expansion while in a "normal" life setting such as in a dense grocery store, in a bar, or riding in a subway. The aura can rip and tear, it can collect lots of dirt and "parasites" so to speak. It can get real damaged. So it is very important to keep the aura closer to the body in normal day to day settings.

However, you can devote some time to expand the aura in safe situations like walking on the beach, hiking a mountain, or meditating...and keep getting that "high" in safe places.
The feeling of joy associated with it can also be called independently of the aura expansion. If you call on the vibration of joy to stay with you, and raise your vibration high enough, it will most likely stay with you throughout your day.

What is true however is that to keep your system clear is a way of life. As you become clearer and clearer, you will not want to do certain things anymore, such as go in dense and dark places. I myself cannot take the New York subway any longer. And I used to live in NYC and had no problems with it. I have a real hard time staying more than a half-hour in that energetic environment and had to adapt my timing and take the bus instead while I was in NYC last October.

So, in conclusion, to keep that feeling of expansion and stay safe, you need to find the right places to do it... I love expanding my aura while walking at the edge of the water on the beach where all the elements are fusing together: water, sun, wind, and earth. You should try it over the summer!! (and remember to bring it back closer when you go home)...


Warm Regards,

Emmanuelle

Monday, June 8, 2009

LAST CALL to register for the JUNE 13, 2009 workshop: Energize


LAST CALL to register for the JUNE 13, 2009 workshop: Energize: a Holistic Approach to Acting
The Mind/body/spirit connection


REGISTER NOW!
To register email:
mailto:energize@starlightacting.org
to be connected to the paypal registration link.


The workshop will give an introductory class on:

-Energy awareness, What are chakras, aura, the Energy system (overview)

-Applications in acting, bridging inside-out/outside-in approaches,
(lecture and exercises)

with Focus on Post-Performance Blues: Finding closure after the emotional roller-coaster of performance

-Post-performance stress analysis,

-Post-show closure meditation, visualization, character withdrawal.
(lecture and exercises)

Please bring a yoga /gym mat (or blanket) and pillow, water,
and... your questions!



WHEN: Saturday June 13, 1 pm-5 pm

WHERE: Pierre Studio and Gallery

Dana Warp Mill,
Suite 350, 90 bridge street
Westbrook, Maine.

FEE: $60 /participants (students $50)

Pre-registration is required.. This is not a walk-in class.


Looking forward to having you in the class...

Emmanuelle Chaulet



Emmanuelle Chaulet
Starlight Acting Institute, director

Energize! a holistic approach to acting
http://www.starlightacting.org
http://balanceyouract.blogspot.com


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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Do you feel the cloud too?


Do you feel irritable? anxious for no reason, upset, angry, frustrated, or overly emotional? It could just be that there is inbalance in your environment.. not just in you!
At HearthMath Institute there is a study about how to dissipate the dark cloud of negative energy that is currently around the earth energy field. By using our heartfelt intention and meditation techniques we can collectively rebalance the earth energy field and ourselves...
Just vizualise GAIA, the planet Earth in love and light... send positive energy and emotions of peace, harmony and love to the planet... every little drop can help get us to the tipping point...

For more information please check:

New Density Dissipation Lock-In
A cloud of mental and emotional distortion has built up in the earth’s planetary field environment from cumulative negative emotions, Institute of HeartMath founder Doc Childre observes in a new tool he has created to help people dissipate the cloud. Click to Article…

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Did Kiefer Sutherland become Jack Bauer?

Obviously, the star of 24 is not seeing clearly the frontier between his own self and his character self. Behaving more and more violently as Jack Bauer does, he was charged with assault after headbutting a fashion designer at a party.
Now the two men have come to an understanding after Kiefer apologized, and charges might be dropped, but this reminds us of our ongoing question: isn't it a case of post-performance stress? Does Keifer Sutherland have a hard time letting go of Jack Bauer? After all, he has performed 8 seasons of 24 hours...killing, torturing and saving millions of people in the process. Has violence become so "normal" for him that in real life he has no discernment?
Does he drink because he can't shake the character off? 

Read more articles at:  Ottawa Citizen  
and at Buddytv
and let us know your comments.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Emmanuelle Chaulet and Bridgette Murphy: LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS, a radio show with Allan Holender


Last night Emmanuelle Chaulet was guest on the radio show LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS.
It was a fascinating discussion with actress and speaker Bridgette Murphy, and Allan Holender, author and founder, The Zentrepreneurship Centre (www.zentrepreneurism.com) on emotional balancing, passion, purpose, energy, higher self, and the future of the world ....


To listen to the radio cast:

LOG IN..JOIN IN ...http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Papa-Zen
click on:
LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS WITH ALLAN HOLENDER (Date: May 14, 2009)

A new kind of BlogTalk Radio for a changing world. Author, Futurist and radio personality, Allan Holender mixes his brand of "hot talk" with "cool jazz". Join Allan for some very cool late nite chatter with intelligent optimists and unreasonable people. "All progress depends on the unreasonable man or woman"- George Bernard Shaw. So grab a pillow, your slippers and a glass of wine (optional!) and log in. Your Thursday night will never be the same again!


LINK: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Papa-Zen

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION....

Thursday, May 7, 2009

SPRING CLEAN YOUR ACTING SELF! Holistic Acting Workhop - Saturday, June 13



Energize: a Holistic Approach to Acting

Introductory workshop with Emmanuelle Chaulet
(for committed actors)
  • The Mind/body/spirit connection,
  • Energy awareness, What are chakras, aura, the Energy system (overview)
  • Applications in acting, bridging inside-out/outside-in approaches,
(lecture and exercises)

with Focus on Post-Performance Blues: Finding closure after the emotional roller-coaster of performance
  • Post-performance stress analysis,
  • post-show closure meditation, visualization
  • character withdrawal.
(lecture and exercises)

WHEN: Saturday June 13, 1 pm-5 pm

WHERE: Dana Warp Mill, Westbrook, Maine.

FEE: $60 /participants (students $50)

Payment required by June 1.

REGISTER NOW: To register email: 

THE BOOK: A BALANCING ACT, the development of Energize a holistic approach to acting will help students go further and retain a lot more of the presented information. $24.95 (Starlight Acting Books 2008)

Starlight Acting Books offer a 10% discount on the book for individual students attending workshops. to get the discount 

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

First Annual Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education Conference



April 24 – 26, 2009
Converse Hall, Amherst College, Amherst MA








"From Contemplative Mindfulness to Energy Awareness, the case study of THE 299 “Holistic Acting” at The University of Southern Maine"
presented by F. Emmanuelle Chaulet


Contemplative Mindfulness leads the way to Energy Awareness.
By stilling the mind we can start listening to our energy system signals and understand the world in terms of vibrations and wave patterns that can be cleared, repaired, and aligned for better performance, more energy and peaceful, but powerful goal manifestation.
This opens the doors to infinite possibilities such as concentration sharpening, creativity development, stress reduction and better awareness of world energy patterns. It intensifies spiritual consciousness, activates abundance manifestation, as well as provides tools for a powerful stage presence.


http://www.acmhe.org/events.html#conf

Friday, March 27, 2009

ANPACT (Association for the New Paradigm in Acting and Creative Techniques) is born!


Emmanuelle Chaulet (Starlight Acting Institute) and Laura Vannah (Bright Star ProductionZ) joined forces to create ANPACT: the Association for the New Paradigm in Acting and Creative Techniques: a networking group discussing the new paradigm currently growing in the performing arts, actor training and acting techniques, including, but not limited to: Spirituality and Acting, Holistic Acting, Energy work, Chakra work, Shamanism, Native American Animal Totem work, Shadow work, Spiritual Gesture, Hypnotism, Breath work, Dream work, Voice Dialogue, Meditation, Contemplative Mindfulness and many more emerging techniques. ANPACT was co-founded by Emmanuelle Chaulet and Laura Vannah

To receive information, start networking and learn about upcoming events, you can join one of the two listserve groups respectively on Facebook or Linkedin:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59421728714#/group.php?gid=59421728714

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1861360&trk=anet_ug_hm

The official website is under construction and hosted at: www.anpact.orgLink

Saturday, February 14, 2009

What's with Zumba?


I started Zumba a few weeks ago and I have to say... I am hooked! and it seems there are more and more women of all ages and shapes in my class every week who are getting hooked too.. The class seems growing like a field of weeds... or rather beautiful rich flowers that love moving and swaying in the sun.... Zumba has taken the world of fitness into a dance spreading like fire...

What is so attractive in Zumba?

I guess Zumba stirs our deepest energies of movement, activates the Flowers of Life of our bodies, and gets the energy circulating fast and furiously, with all these curvy moves and salsa hip circles and rapid, trance-like vibrations.

Zumba brings the feminine out in all its power: the seductive power of pure, joyful, healthy sexual energy, transmuted into vitality, fun, and joy.

The class is filled with giggles, laughs, thrills, excitement, as ladies (and men too.. but in my class they have not shown up yet) move their hips, butts, arms, legs, and cadence on hot, salsa, merengue, and other latino rhythms.

It brings our fire out and burns and releases all the blocks and restraints. Watch out as it releases your power to say no, to express your own views, to ask for what you want and to set your boundaries...

It reclaims our feminine power, our joy, our movement from deep buried past lives, or far away cultures, when, where our body was sacred and not stained by guilt and repressed freedom.

Someone jokingly asked if the Spanish songs of Zumba where 'dirty'. Our instructor justly said: no there is nothing dirty about these songs!.. They are about life, joy, love, sex.. pure joy and freedom of movement in our third dimension body.

Zumba is fun movement, it is tease, it is seduction, it is spicing up your body...


Enjoy,

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a Zumba class near you please visit: Zumba
http://www.zumba.com/us/