Rasaboxes

Train in the rasaboxes approach to become an athlete of the emotions! What are the RasaBoxes? Devised by Richard Schechner-- based on ideas from French theorist Antonin Artaud, the Natyasastra, a classical Indian treatise on performance, and contemporary scientific studies on emotion--the RasaBoxes exercises comprise a unique improvisational, psychophysical approach for finding truthful, fully embodied sensations of presence and emotional specificity through direct physical engagement.

Working holistically, this technique unifies mind, body, emotion and intention to produce performance work that is viscerally engaging – whether applied to the subtlety of film acting or the boldness of commedia dell’arte. 

The RasaBoxes exercises integrate, rather than separate, acting, movement and voice, engaging the whole performer in one approach. Rigorous daily training includes yoga, extensive breath, voice and movement work, and solo and ensemble generated performance composition developed from the RasaBoxes material.

About the Teacher

Rachel Bowditch, MA/PhD, is a performer, theatre director, teacher, and performance studies scholar. As an Artistic Associate of East Coast Artists, she has performed in Yokastas directed by Richard Schechner at LaMaMa Annex (2003 and 2005). Since 2002, she has studied, assisted, and taught rasaboxes with Richard Schechner, Paula Murray Cole, and Michele Minnick, becoming a certified rasaboxes instructor in 2008. She is co-editing a book on rasaboxes with Paula Murray Cole with various contributors - Richard Schechner, Michele Minnick, and others. As the artistic director of Vessel, Rachel has directed several original productions in New York City as well as directs the on-going site-specific performance, Transfix.  She is the founder of M.O.V.E. (Movement. Observation. Vision. Experimentation) Arizona Laboratory for Movement Research Winter Intensive at Arizona State University in collaboration with Sara Romersberger and the Association for Theatre Movement Educators (ATME). Currently, she is an assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Film at Arizona State University.