BACK TO
THE BODY
Infusing Physical Life into
Characters in Theatre and Film
Jack Black, actor
"Now THIS is an amazingly
comprehensive roadmap
to
creating a character."
A groundbreaking, must-have book for
theatre and film students and professionals
that outlines the acting techniques and tools
used by award- winning actors Margot Robbie,
Ke Huy Quan, Juliette Binoche, and many more.
Develop a fully realized character.
Use the power of your entire being.
Create unforgettable performances.
A step-by-step guide to systematically integrate your entire self into one seamless performance.
Whether you are an actor, musician, or public speaker, BACK TO THE BODY will help you effectively communicate and perform with an enhanced level of awareness and depth.
BACK TO THE BODY is your step-by-step guide to systematically integrate your entire self into one seamless performance.
If you’ve already read the book, then you’ve learned about Constructive Rest. This exploration is one of Alexander’s fundamental, simple procedures to connect with yourself, rid yourself of unnecessary tensions, and organize yourself. Here is the audio Jean-Louis references in the book on page 7:
Media
The Authors
Jean-Louis Rodrigue
Jean-Louis Rodrigue is an internationally recognized acting coach, movement director, and specialist in the application of the Alexander Technique to film, theater, and television. For more than four decades, Jean-Louis has taught at the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He has coached countless actors, including Christian Bale, Juliette Binoche, Matt Bomer, Helena Bonham Carter, Josh Brolin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Zoey Deutch, lan McKellen, Ke Huy Quan, Keanu Reeves, Margot Robbie, and more.
Scott Weintraub
Scott Weintraub is an actor, director, and educator. For nearly 40 years, Scott has taught and directed theatre at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica. Former students include Maude Apatow, Jack Black, Emily and Zooey Deschanel, Maya Erskine, Simon Helberg, Jason Ritter, and Maya Rudolph. He has appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Deadwood, among others. Scott has directed over 40 productions, including the west coast premiere of This is Our Youth and the World Premiere of Freak the Mighty.
A beautiful review from Penny McDonald on The Australian Society Teachers of the Alexander Technique website:
"I agree with Margot (Robbie); this book is a must-have.
I first met Jean-Louis Rodrigue 11 years ago when he visited Australia running workshops in applying the Alexander Technique to acting. He came every year for 4 years and I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend and eventually assist in all his workshops. On his first visit, he mentioned he was working on a book. 11 years later, it has just been published and I love it . . .
If you are an Alexander Teacher specializing in the performing arts, then you will love this book. If you occasionally work with actors, dancers, singers or musicians, then I thoroughly recommend this book as it will give you simple practical ideas and exercises to explore . . . Reading this book will help you trust that you can work with actors; if something doesn’t seem authentic, they are often not fully present in the environment they are meant to be in. This book is gold mine of explorations and stories.
But this book is also more than just how to work with actors, we need to be able to apply our entire self – voice, body, mind and emotions – in relationship to our environment. The principals of the technique that Jean-Louis embraces and writes about are a skill for life.
Jean-Louis taught me so much and I am forever grateful to his wisdom and generosity. His work with actors was a true joy to witness and this book covers all his exercises and techniques. Many Alexander teachers in Australia thank me for the words “I Have Time”. This was from Jean-Louis. He also taught me the animal work which continues to inform how I live my life and work with others.
Working with Jean-Louis gave me the confidence to work in many acting schools, run workshops with actors and last year to direct a play. This book will be our bible for the 2023 production. I thoroughly recommend it to you, it is joyous to read."
#backtothebodybook #backtothebody #bookreview #jeanlouisrodrigue #alexandertechnique #actingtraining #actingbook #actingcoach #actorslife #acting #act #performingarts
A beautiful review from Penny McDonald on The Australian Society Teachers of the Alexander Technique website:
"I agree with Margot (Robbie); this book is a must-have.
I first met Jean-Louis Rodrigue 11 years ago when he visited Australia running workshops in applying the Alexander Technique to acting. He came every year for 4 years and I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend and eventually assist in all his workshops. On his first visit, he mentioned he was working on a book. 11 years later, it has just been published and I love it . . .
If you are an Alexander Teacher specializing in the performing arts, then you will love this book. If you occasionally work with actors, dancers, singers or musicians, then I thoroughly recommend this book as it will give you simple practical ideas and exercises to explore . . . Reading this book will help you trust that you can work with actors; if something doesn’t seem authentic, they are often not fully present in the environment they are meant to be in. This book is gold mine of explorations and stories.
But this book is also more than just how to work with actors, we need to be able to apply our entire self – voice, body, mind and emotions – in relationship to our environment. The principals of the technique that Jean-Louis embraces and writes about are a skill for life.
Jean-Louis taught me so much and I am forever grateful to his wisdom and generosity. His work with actors was a true joy to witness and this book covers all his exercises and techniques. Many Alexander teachers in Australia thank me for the words “I Have Time”. This was from Jean-Louis. He also taught me the animal work which continues to inform how I live my life and work with others.
Working with Jean-Louis gave me the confidence to work in many acting schools, run workshops with actors and last year to direct a play. This book will be our bible for the 2023 production. I thoroughly recommend it to you, it is joyous to read."
#backtothebodybook #backtothebody #bookreview #jeanlouisrodrigue #alexandertechnique #actingtraining #actingbook #actingcoach #actorslife #acting #act #performingarts
We love getting messages from our students letting us know how much they`ve learned through our workshops and/or when they spot Jean-Louis` book! 👀 Thank you, @cwaterhs, for taking the time to send this message and picture to Kristof. 🙏🏼
"I was in NYC last week and went into the @dramabookshop while I was there and saw Jean-Louis’ book on display! I loved taking your Camera Close Up Workshop. I learned so much! Thanks again for such a wonderful workshop and look forward to seeing you soon."
Buy your copy of BACK TO THE BODY via the link in our bio. 📕
#backtothebodybook #backtothebody #alexandertechnique #alexnadertechworks #jeanlouisrodrigue #kristofkonrad #actingbook #actingbooks #bodybook #movementbook #acting #actor #actress #actorslife #books #dramabookshop #voice #movement
We love getting messages from our students letting us know how much they`ve learned through our workshops and/or when they spot Jean-Louis` book! 👀 Thank you, @cwaterhs, for taking the time to send this message and picture to Kristof. 🙏🏼
"I was in NYC last week and went into the @dramabookshop while I was there and saw Jean-Louis’ book on display! I loved taking your Camera Close Up Workshop. I learned so much! Thanks again for such a wonderful workshop and look forward to seeing you soon."
Buy your copy of BACK TO THE BODY via the link in our bio. 📕
#backtothebodybook #backtothebody #alexandertechnique #alexnadertechworks #jeanlouisrodrigue #kristofkonrad #actingbook #actingbooks #bodybook #movementbook #acting #actor #actress #actorslife #books #dramabookshop #voice #movement
“Acting is visceral. It’s literally in your organs. It’s primitive and raw. The key to authenticity is for the actor to commit to the character as if their life depended on it.”
-Jean-Louis Rodrigue
📷️: @jeremyjacksonphoto
#acting #actingcoach #actingteacher #movementcoach #jeanlouisrodrigue #alexandertechnique #actor #actors #actorslife #sagaftra #screenactor #theatreactor #losangeles
“Acting is visceral. It’s literally in your organs. It’s primitive and raw. The key to authenticity is for the actor to commit to the character as if their life depended on it.”
-Jean-Louis Rodrigue
📷️: @jeremyjacksonphoto
#acting #actingcoach #actingteacher #movementcoach #jeanlouisrodrigue #alexandertechnique #actor #actors #actorslife #sagaftra #screenactor #theatreactor #losangeles
📣 INTENSIVE 2-DAY WORKSHOP (IN-PERSON) 📣
Speaking on the Breath with Ease I - Fundamentals
July 20 & 21, 2024
10:00am - 3:00pm
@odysseytheatre in L.A.
This 2-day intensive with Kristof Konrad is designed for actors, singers, and public speakers to:
✔️ discover freedom in the body
✔️ develop breath support
✔️ produce coordination in voice production
. . . all to enable you to practice your craft with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. 🗣️ 💯 🎬️
Link in bio to register now.
#alexandertechworks #breathwork #breath #breathe #breathinacting #breathingwithease #ease #speakingonthebreath #weekendworkshop #odysseytheatre #actingclass #actingworkshop #kristofkonrad #losangeles #voice #acting #voicework #actingcoach #actortraining #alexandertechnique #freedom #craft #actorslife
📣 INTENSIVE 2-DAY WORKSHOP (IN-PERSON) 📣
Speaking on the Breath with Ease I - Fundamentals
July 20 & 21, 2024
10:00am - 3:00pm
@odysseytheatre in L.A.
This 2-day intensive with Kristof Konrad is designed for actors, singers, and public speakers to:
✔️ discover freedom in the body
✔️ develop breath support
✔️ produce coordination in voice production
. . . all to enable you to practice your craft with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. 🗣️ 💯 🎬️
Link in bio to register now.
#alexandertechworks #breathwork #breath #breathe #breathinacting #breathingwithease #ease #speakingonthebreath #weekendworkshop #odysseytheatre #actingclass #actingworkshop #kristofkonrad #losangeles #voice #acting #voicework #actingcoach #actortraining #alexandertechnique #freedom #craft #actorslife
A peek inside the Spring issue of @ucla`s magazine with an article on the "master of motion" Jean-Louis Rodrigue. 🕺🏼 🎭️ 🎬️ Click the link in our bio to read the full article.
📷️: @jeremyjacksonphoto
#ucla #uclaarticle #actingarticle #inthenews #uclamagazine #alexandertechnique #alexandertechworks #jeanlouisrodrigue #movement #masterteacher #movementcoaching #movementexpert #animalstudies #actingcoach #actingteacher #bodylanguage #acting
A peek inside the Spring issue of @ucla`s magazine with an article on the "master of motion" Jean-Louis Rodrigue. 🕺🏼 🎭️ 🎬️ Click the link in our bio to read the full article.
📷️: @jeremyjacksonphoto
#ucla #uclaarticle #actingarticle #inthenews #uclamagazine #alexandertechnique #alexandertechworks #jeanlouisrodrigue #movement #masterteacher #movementcoaching #movementexpert #animalstudies #actingcoach #actingteacher #bodylanguage #acting
🦁 EMBODYING THE CHARACTER USING ANIMAL STUDIES & IMAGES 🦁July 12 – July 14, 2024
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Highways Performance Space (@highwaysps) in Santa Monica, CA
This is an advanced workshop specially designed to teach actors how to transform into and embody a character. The study of animals enables actors to act and react in new ways, enrich and expand their own physical and emotional world, and discover new, surprising ways of moving and acting.
In this intensive, you’ll focus on finding the physical matrix of the character -- a “hook” or an “anchor” which clearly expresses the stance, the walk, the gestures, and the psychological and emotional life of the character within the given circumstances. We find the body that corresponds not only to the logic of the text but also its rhythms and energy, which allows the words to be spoken with greater ease. The voice (and its energy and music) become a direct reflection of the body, and both become integrated.
Register now via the link in our bio. We look forward to working with you in this weekend intensive!
#alexandertechworks #embodyingthecharacter #characterworkshop #animalworkshop #animalstudies #weekendworkshop #actingworkshop #highwaysperformancespace #actingclass #jeanlouisrodrigue #kristofkonrad #losangeles #santamonica #voice #acting #voicework #bodywork #body #movement #movementcoach #actingcoach #actortraining #alexandertechnique
🦁 EMBODYING THE CHARACTER USING ANIMAL STUDIES & IMAGES 🦁July 12 – July 14, 2024
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Highways Performance Space (@highwaysps) in Santa Monica, CA
This is an advanced workshop specially designed to teach actors how to transform into and embody a character. The study of animals enables actors to act and react in new ways, enrich and expand their own physical and emotional world, and discover new, surprising ways of moving and acting.
In this intensive, you’ll focus on finding the physical matrix of the character -- a “hook” or an “anchor” which clearly expresses the stance, the walk, the gestures, and the psychological and emotional life of the character within the given circumstances. We find the body that corresponds not only to the logic of the text but also its rhythms and energy, which allows the words to be spoken with greater ease. The voice (and its energy and music) become a direct reflection of the body, and both become integrated.
Register now via the link in our bio. We look forward to working with you in this weekend intensive!
#alexandertechworks #embodyingthecharacter #characterworkshop #animalworkshop #animalstudies #weekendworkshop #actingworkshop #highwaysperformancespace #actingclass #jeanlouisrodrigue #kristofkonrad #losangeles #santamonica #voice #acting #voicework #bodywork #body #movement #movementcoach #actingcoach #actortraining #alexandertechnique
Praise for Back to the Body
“Jean-Louis and Scott continue to bring the focus back to the body, breath, and kinesthetic expression. Their perspective brings to life explorations of the actorʼs use of body, space, environment, costumes, props, and, most importantly, imagination. Every actor, artist, and personwith an interest in creativity should own a copy of this exciting new book.”
“Jean-Louis Rodrique was instrumental in helping me bring to life three distinctly different ‘Waymond’s’ in ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once.’ His book will serve as an excellent resource for all actors.”
“Back to the Body contains excellent advice on character research and invaluable suggestions for going deep and specific through physicality . . . I’ve worked with many outstanding actors who start by making these same kinds of choices, but I’ve never seen the process laid out so clearly, so helpfully, and so entertainingly as Scott and Jean-Louis have done in this indispensable book. Potent secrets finally revealed!”