Patsy Rodenburg speaks about "The Second Circle" at Michael Howard Studios in NYC. For more information about Patsy's classes, visit www.michaelhowardstudios.com
"It is the circle of equality" Probably the most profound 10 minutes you'll ever watch. The ideas in this can sustain you for a long time and not just in the performing arts.
It's interesting she talks about hating cruelty on the part of teachers. In one of her books, she relates how she defended an acting student who had physically attacked a teacher who had been bullying him to breaking point. The teacher was an educated, erudite individual, while the student, although highly talented, had a more emotional intelligence. But the teacher did everything he could to make him feel stupid, until in the end the student lost it completely. The student was kicked out of the school, and Ms Rodenburg chose to leave as a result.
Twice, I've worked with dear Patsy and she opens our eyes and hearts to the now of words, theater, acting, speech, emotion and art which is our humanity that evolves and unites us as people. A brilliant teacher full of zest.
I've liked this video for a long time, but her point about First Circle being about "the past" eluded me for a long time. I think I've finally figured out why: All I know about "the past" is my experience. Everyone has a past, but I'm not aware of any details but my own. Its important; it matters. The "moment before" is essential to starting a scene, but carrying it forward is all that matters in a performance and that depends on "Second Circle".
+CBV123 If I'm right about the 'circles', then the 'first circle' is that case where energy becomes inward-revolving. You're in first circle very often. When you day-dream, when you become distracted, you are pulled away from the world and from the present to your past, your illusions, your 'interior reality'. First circle is not all that though, it can also manifest in meditation, contemplation or reflection. These are willful preoccupations with the past and can help you grow. I agree with you in a way. The 'second circle' or 'presence' represents an conscious intimate connection with reality (or the world). It is a dialectic with the world: two-way communication. It is the 'balance' or the 'equality' (as Rodenburg says) between outward and inward energy. Rodenburg explains that an acting does not solely reside in the 'third circle', energy radiating to the audience, but also in 'the second circle'. Not as in the actor receiving energy from the audience, as the actor must act independent of the audience, but in the discourse between the actor or actress and their character, their reality that they are performing. The actor interprets the character and in turn, the character interprets the actor.
I th8nk first circle is NOT JUST inwardness but a sort of “let go”ness...so liberals r first circle and conservatives r 3rd circle...while true conservatives/“classical liberals “ r 2nd circle...euphemistically...
foundations of many theatre schools. Where I went to school, Patsy's work was introduced to us and we starting going over the principals of 1st 2nd and 3rd circle
this is so enlightening, thank you - when I look at my performance videos, I am in 1rt, rounded shoulders, clearly striken by fear, and when I try to pull myself together and overcome the fear I feel (and probably look) domineering but I feel (and look) completely fake. Not me. I wish I could keep the presence even when utterly scared.
Thank you. I teach theatre clown and there is such a connection between what you say and what we do. We have a ritual clown circle where all the clown needs to do is to be present. I'm sharing your video with all my students. Gale McNeeley
Such an inspirational woman, I bought her book on the second circle called "Presence" It's probably the best self help book i ever bought and actually did trasform my life :) Would recommend it to anyone :)
Very interesting. Basing on my experience, it could be good to specify that she is talking about the actor's circles, not the character's. The character can be in first or third circle but the inner actor should be always in second, to be open and reactive to all the impulses coming from outside and inside him.
Hi, people, I have a book written by Ms. Rodenburg. It has the same concept she is talking about in this video. The title's "Presence How to Use Positive Energy for Success in every Situation This Book will Transform your Life, Minute to Minute.
lush use this philosophy when training employees on how to build rapport and sell products, so i always assumed it was a training tool... little did i know it was for theater!! now i'm sort of upset with how they used it because it's much more interesting in this setting.
banja First Circle is boring and too introverted. Third is too bombastic and over-the-top. Both exclude the audience. Second Circle includes the audience, is present, clear, and energised.
The best way to understand what "being present" means, is to explore what it means yourself. A book or definition only does that much - you only fully understand it if you explore it actively. I agree with what Rich Cook said - that is pretty much the definition to "being present."
This video is part of a larger series ("Shakespeare in the Present" I think that's what it's called). In this recorded workshop there are exercises that explore all of these circles. It's simple but great work. I was in the room during this one-week workshop. She's fantastic. She also wrote a book on the subject called "The Second Circle."
i don't see why it is so hard for people to act well. just relax and act as if it really were the situation. make that role your life and immerse yourself in it.
Not so. That would just be boring. As Bette Davis once said: “Acting is always larger than life. If you want to see real people, stand on a street corner.”
@YD8189 hey, just because a bunch of successful people don't think it's fluff, doesn't mean it isn't fluff. I mean, look at religion! :P No I've not been to her classes! But I get what you're saying - I apologise for the troll like nature of my comment. Peace to all!
