Juggling actors, or acting jugglers?

[Cybele]

Is it better to teach jugglers to act, or actors to juggle? Thanks for your inpt and assistance.

xox, Cybele

[le pire]

Neither.

[Mark Wessels]

actors to juggle.

mark

(i hate jugglers)

[Jim]

[quote]Originally posted by Cybele:
<strong>Is it better to teach jugglers to act, or actors to juggle?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Neither one has any business doing the other.

That's like asking, "Is it better to teach a brain surgeon to pole vault or a pole vaulter to do brain surgery?"

"Is it better to teach an accountant to fight bulls or a bullfighter to do my taxes?"

"Is it better to teach a juggler to design web sites or a web designer to juggle?" Hey, wait a minute...

<img src="graemlins/square.gif" border="0" alt="[square smile]" />

[HiveQueen]

Better for what? Is the emphasis on the acting, or the juggling? If you're doing a production of Hamlet where Hamlet does a little juggling in one scene, teach the actor to juggle. If, on the other hand, you want someone to do a kickass juggling routine plus speak just a line or two, get a real jugger and a good director or acting coach.

[Todd]

Why not do both.
I'm an actor who juggles, and does diabolo, and walks a tight wire and eats fire, and a bunch of other stuff, as well as some busking and ren fests.
Just because you do one doesnt mean you cant or shouldnt do the other. The bulk of my real training was at the Dell Arte School of Physical theatre and the crux of the training is that the physical skills will make you a better performer (im simplifing). The time and dedication it takes to learn to juggle is a great lesson for actors, who in most American training programs spend time "thinking" and not "doing". You suck at first, it is frustrating, but you pick up the balls or clubs and you keep working at it. Even when you are good at it its never perfect. Even when you are good, it is never the same or perfect. Your body is always working to correct any little error when doing a simple cascade. Understanding what your body can do and how it instictively works helps the acting process. LeCock , a french physical theatre teacher (and all of you who went to Motionfest or to Dell Atre owe him a debt) said that the body and physical skill is key to the acting process (Im paraphrasing) 'The body know things the mind does not". You can find great insperation and ideas trusting the body and the physical instrument.
Besides my actor training has helped my busking and my busking vice versa. All of you buskers and performers are actors. What you are doing is acting. You are acting like the tricks are hard, or you are presenting something to an audience that has been crafted, but you are trying to do it like it is the first time, or trying to create an immediate connection to an audience. Acting isnt just being on a stage and doing some boring play, or having some emotional recall about dead your cat dead mr. Tippy, so you can cry at the right time.
Also, juggling is a physical activity. Even though many of us may make our livings performing juggling acts, it is still a physical activity, like playing basketball or doing ballet. Its only when we decide to do it for people that it becomes 'performing' or acting.
I',m a big beleiver in actors taking circus training. I've taught circus workshops at many universities. Does it mean they will all go out and do juggling or circus shows. No. And frankly some shouldnt. Should they (actors) learn these skills. Yes.
Actually, 'should people learn to juggle'
(as if actors were this odd breed or sickening creature. Well ok many are)
Does learing juggling teach you about your body and problem solving?
Yup.
Does it give the learner some pride of accomplishment?
Yup.
Is it fun?
Can be, but like sex it is better with another person. In groups it can get weird and you end up ususally getting a club in the eye.

Sure teach them. Besides Dube can you the money, and I bet half of the people at Motionfest came to this type of work because they started out as actors trainined in a tradtional way.

OOPs. Sorry for going on so long. I'm is rehearsal with myself for a mask show I'm touring this December and I'm avoiding rehearsing by posting this.

[ 11-16-2002: Message edited by: Todd ]</p>

[Todd]

Sorry for the heated tone of my last post. I started to write it in reaction to Jims comment of

"Neither one has any business doing the other."
I looked at his post again and realized he's joking.

I'm such an ass.

[martin ewen]

If you could be any animal what animal would you be? Sorry wrong conversation starter.
Mmm (gazes ponderously into his tall salted glass whilst brushing a wayward strand from his otherwise impeccable countinance)
"I suppose a good actor could convince an audience he could juggle without in fact having to do so, whereas a good juggler by defininion could but juggle."
( Brays loudly and gratingly at his own inflated self regard before stiffening suddenly, eyes rolling back, falling face foward and shattering the punchbowl)

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

I defer to Mr. Ewen.

[Chance]

(psst... Jesus Christ Martin -- not the same person I am assured -- what's gotten into you? Your past several messages have actually been genuinely humourous and self-depracating. Your usual rancor is no where to be seen. I am almost beginning to like you. Is this a doppelganger/alternate reality switch in play, or have you just gotten soft? Is there a recent love interest that we should know about maybe?)

(ps- this is not a flame. Good natured troll possibly. But not a flame -- just so we clear that up with Jim right away...)

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

oops

[ 11-17-2002: Message edited by: Mr.Taxi Trix ]</p>

[Cybele]

So these actors that I teach to juggle (and by I, of course I mean Someone, being that I'm the only non-juggler I know): How much experience will they need before they are able to juggle unusual items, such as a wig, an orthopoedic device, and false teeth? And (Part Two) should we begin with balls, clubs or something else?

Thank you.

Cybele

[Evan Young]

Depends on a few things
1) Did you play sports as a kid (have you allready developed your coordination?)
2) How much are you going to practice?
3) Will you like juggling?
4) How good is your teacher?

Seems like you should probably be able to acheave your goals in a few weeks or less. If your the only non-juggler you know the resources to get help should be available readily.

Begin with balls.
Good luck