ABSTRACT
Unlocking the texts of complex and challenging 'language' plays such as Shakespeare or Ancient Greek tragedy through the actor's body creates evocative performances that are easy to understand and, at the same time, thrillingly believable. This chapter discusses how physical dramaturgy addresses the demands of Shakespeare's language for a highly physical energy in the body of the actor. This has been the guiding principle in coaching actors in professional and university companies wise enough to work with speech and movement coaches. An actor experiencing the text, the words, and the character's thoughts in muscles, in body, and breath can most successfully persuade an audience that what they are seeing is deeply felt human experience. The rehearsal process for the production of The Winter's Tale in March and April of 2010 will serve as the case study for describing particular approach to physical dramaturgy and movement coaching.
