From ‘methods’ to ‘approaches’: Integrative practices and physiovocality in the digital landscape

Interdisciplinary and integrative practices have become international buzzwords in recent years; however, separation of voice and movement in actor training is still evident. Many studies exist examining the significance of physiovocal approaches, but as technologies develop, actors need to draw from a wide variety of sources to be able to deal with the ever-changing digital landscape. Voice and movement teachers have agreed in principle for some time that more integrated methods of training are essential, but in practice, little progress has been made, especially when incorporating digital technologies. Every actor’s training is unique, particularly when working with Motion Capture (MoCap); therefore, rigid ‘methods’ as opposed to ‘approaches’ may inhibit the actor in developing their own individual way of working in this context. Actors training in MoCap need to be provided with interdisciplinary and integrated, diverse approaches in order to be fully rounded artists as opposed to training in theatre contexts, where the parameters such as architecture and audience/actor relationship, are set. This article outlines several original exercises that have been designed for MoCap contexts inspired by Butoh. This forms a solid basis to unlock the physiovocal potential, and imagination, for the MoCap actor.