Kirstie Richardson
Re: 2002 Introductory Skinner Releasing Intensive
Dear LUTSF Secretary,
Please find enclosed my report for the 2002
Introductory Skinner Releasing Intensive which took place this summer from the
12th August - 30th August. Having returned to
Since returning I have started back at work with
Circus Space and the biggest shift that I have been aware of so far is the pace
and detail of my delivery. Allowing students to spend time to
fully embrace a task as opposed to getting through it. A deeper
understanding of what I am trying to do has filtered
through and so I feel more able and confident to explore the details of any
given task. I feel I have found the language in which to articulate my aims to
the students and therefore I can already see a difference in their approach to
the work that I am setting. Whilst I would never teach a SRT class (as I am not
certified) I do feel that I have experience kinaesthetically an alternative way
of working and I am currently trying to develop this within my own technique
class. I also have plans to certify in the future but presently this is not a
viable option financially or physically (children).
Another highlight for me was the fact that we all had
to choreograph a short piece and were given very
little time to do so and I was amazed at the quality and level of the work
created. This has given me the confidence to start making work again, something
I haven't done since having a baby. I am working with two other people who were
on the course this year and we are trying to use the information gained from
the intensive to be a source for creating our own Skinner-based work here in
Once again I would like to thank you for making this
experience possible.
Best Wishes,
Kirstie Richardson
REPORT
2002 INTRODUCTORY SKINNER RELEASING INTENSIVE
The Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT) summer
intensive took place at the
9.00 - 11.00 Skinner Releasing Technique class.
Taught by either Joan Skinner, Robert Davidson or Theresa Moriarty
11.15 - 12.45 Improvisation. Taught by Stephanie Skura
1.00 - 2.30 Lunch;
2.30 - 5.00 Finding Forms with Stephanie Skura; or Trapeze with Robert Davidson (Monday to Thursday
the group was randomly split in half and would alternate between Finding Forms
and Trapeze).
2.30 - 5.00 Fridays only. Finding Forms and Trapeze
would come together and the group would work as a whole.
The overall intensity of the course allowed one to
really let go of the world outside and to concentrate on a purely creative
level. Whilst the days were full there was never a sense of being rushed or
pushed into doing something you didn't feel ready to do. I felt energized
throughout.
The morning sessions SRT and improvisation really
complemented each other. The depth and focus reached through taking part in the
SRT class meant the whole group was fully open to explore what seemed sometimes
the smallest task and develop it beyond belief. I think the group as a whole
was very experienced in improvisation and so from the moment we started until
the end there was a very high level of concentration and the work was rich and
clear throughout. All of our senses were so heightened that sometimes I wanted
to pinch myself because I could not believe the beautiful, powerful and
sensitive work that I was experiencing. I would definitely like to work with
Stephanie Skura again as she was a constant
inspiration and I feel that I have only scratched the surface in terms or her
knowledge and ability to deliver a concept and task effortlessly without ever
being overpowering or to dominant.
The afternoon sessions which were alternated allowed
the focus to shift and therefore the intensity of Improvisation and Moving
Forms was lessened because of the refreshing element of Trapeze. Having said
that, Trapeze was definitely not my forte and, whilst thoroughly enjoyable, I
do not think I gained as much as others did in the group. The most surprising
thing to me was that I loved swinging and that in itself was very exhilarating.
However, the more complex moves (hanging by your ankles!) were very painful and
so I felt less inclined to be adventurous as I had no intention of taking up
Trapeze on my return back to
Finding Forms used improvisation and the drawing of
scores as a source for creating material. The drawing of scores has been a
revelation to me. Scores can be based on any stimuli and are produced after a
brief improvisation. Then the group would sit with their notebook and
draw/write the first thing that entered their head. Obviously, Stephanie would
set up an improvisation that had specific outcomes in terms of the way we
worked and I always felt that she had such a wealth of knowledge (her life's
work) that she could set up an improvisation based on the smallest detail. We
worked a lot with the idea of free association and from that we were encouraged
to work on parts of our scores or others. One of the most helpful things that
Stephanie Skura would say during this time was to
'stick with an idea for longer than it feels comfortable'. The discipline of
staying with it was a powerful tool for creating work.
Overall the Intensive Course was an extremely
enriching experience and I feel that I have grown in so many directions. The
joy of having an SRT class every day expanded my understanding of the
technique. I grew in confidence in terms of improvisation and learnt so much
from other group members. I feel really keen to explore my own creativity which
has been on the back-burners since having a baby. I feel alert and open to
start creating. I have also enrolled on a poetry course since returning as this
felt such a huge part of the course. And finally I really feel that I have
began to approach my teaching work with a different agenda and my interaction
with the students feels much more honest and open and they are responding
really well.