Date
April 7 - 11, 2026
Venue:
DOCK 11 EDEN***** / Breite Str 43, 13187 Berlin (Pankow)
Every performer knows the difference between going through the motions and truly inhabiting an action. But what creates that difference? How do we move from mechanical execution to living physical action?
This workshop investigates the gap between what Stanislavsky called "mechanical" action (external, repeated, empty) and "physical" action (internal, alive, purposeful). Through practical exploration, we'll discover how the body becomes a storytelling instrument rather than just a vehicle for movement.
The training integrates Meyerhold's Theatre Biomechanics (the body as expressive mechanism), Stanislavsky's Physical Action (truthful impulse), and Michael Chekhov's Psychological Gesture (emotional states through form).
Daily Structure
April 7-10: 10:30-13:00 & 14:30-18:00
(90-minute lunch - there's a café nearby)
April 11: 10:30-15:00
(Final session, showings, closure)
Each day builds on the previous. We start with individual work, add partners, develop into ensemble pieces. Text work happens throughout - bring something you're working on or use provided material.
Who This Is For
- Actors tired of choosing between "physical" and "psychological" approaches
- Directors who want to understand action from inside the body
- Dancers/movers investigating dramatic structure
- Anyone stuck in their habitual patterns and ready to break them
You need stamina for sustained physical work and enough experience to know what questions you're carrying. All instruction in English.
Selection Process
We accept maximum 25 participants through application:
- Professional CV
- Brief statement: why this question matters to you now (200 words)
- Work samples if available (video links helpful but not required)
We look for diversity of backgrounds - different training creates richer discovery.
Certificate: Provided (useful for funding applications)
Apply
Full details and application form:
nipai.org/programs/april-physical-theatre-workshop
Response within a few days of application.
A Note About "Mechanical"
The word sounds negative, but mechanical isn't always wrong. Sometimes we need the mechanics - the structure, the score, the repeatable form. The question is: how do we fill that form with life? How do we make the mechanical serve the living moment?
Note: This is intensive training, not a masterclass where you watch demonstrations. Come ready to work, sweat, and probably discover some muscles you forgot you had.
NIPAI has been organizing international workshops since 2000. This particular format has evolved from feedback and experience - it's the distilled version of what actually works.