ABSTRACT
Tool use is often used to define human exceptionalism. Such artificial enhancements have been brought to bear on every aspect of life – this includes theatrical productions – whether with props, clothing, wigs, prosthetics, or makeup, actors 'put on' character in a literal as well as metaphorical sense. This chapter will investigate how physical dramaturgs can help actors achieve this integration with the augmented self. This augmented body is addressed by Michael Chekhov in his 'Imaginary Body' lessons – the performers' generation of an alternate character model that they can visualize, step into, and map onto their own frame. Working with the augmented body involves both 'radiating' and 'receiving' in Chekhov terms. Like a physical analogue for sonar, humans send out augmented physical focus and 'listen' through points of contact, gaining tactile information filtered through the proxy.
