Actor's Training (1959 - 1962) Summary and Analysis

A large series of exercises for the actor are explained. Grotowski again emphasizes that the aim of the exercises to not to accumulate techniques, but to strip away resistances and obstacles inherent in the actor, adhering to the concept of Via Negativa. The routine described is said to occupy a full working day for the actor.

There is first the warm-up, involving such things as running on tiptoe, and doing short jumps while in a curled position. Next there are exercises "to loosen up the muscles and the vertebral column." The actor imitates a cat yawning and stretching from a state of being asleep, among many other exercises, including jumping like a kangaroo, and bending to make a "bridge" shape with the body. Grotowski here notes it is not worthwhile to simply repeat the same exercises day...