What we think and feel informs how we move, and how we move expresses who we are.
Professor Kathryn Bracht of the Theatre Department at the University of Regina will be at Grenfell Campus to conduct a workshop titled The Expressive Body: Relearning Physical Confidence Through Movement. In this workshop, participants will develop an awareness of body language and, through introductory physical exercises, gain an appreciation of how to create physical confidence. Prof. Bracht will explore ways in which popular culture shapes our views of our bodies, and what we can do to maintain a healthy view of ourselves. She will utilize tools familiar to acting students who explore physical theatre and intentional and unintentional movement and gesture.
Appearance, as well as posture of the body, conveys an abundance of expressive meanings. As such his workshop complements the Body Project being offered on campus. The Body Project is a body-acceptance program designed to help young women resist cultural pressures to conform to the appearance ideal standard of female beauty and reduce their pursuit of unrealistic bodies. The program is peer-led and follows the train-the-trainer approach, so Dr. Veronica Hutchings trains students to lead Body Project workshops. This is the second year it is being offered at Grenfell Campus.
The Expressive Body workshop will take place in the Grenfell Campus gym on Monday, September 24 from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. It is open to anyone of high school age and older who is interested in developing a confident, expressive, and positive body image. Participants should come in comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement. Prof. Bracht will also present an artist’s talk The Expressive Body Onstage: Creating The Secrets of the Borne Settee on September 24 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in Room 223 in the Forest Centre. All are welcome.
Dr. Sonya Corbin Dwyer is the psychology professor, School of Arts and Social Science at Grenfell Campus.
