Jacques Lecoq was a French actor and acting coach who developed a unique approach to acting based on movement and physical expression principles. Lecoq believed that actors should use their bodies to express emotions and ideas, rather than relying on words alone. As part of this approach, Lecoq often incorporated “animal exercises” into his acting classes, which involved mimicking the movements and behaviors of various animals in order to develop a greater range of physical expression. These exercises were intended to help actors tap into their own physical instincts and find new ways to convey meaning through movement.
Jacques Lecoq View on Animal Exercises
Jacques Lecoq was a French actor, mime artist, and theatre director. He was known for his innovative approach to physical theatre, which he developed through a series of exercises and techniques that focused on the use of the body in movement and expression. Lecoq was a pioneer of modern theatre, and his work has had a significant influence on the development of contemporary performance practices. He taught at the school he founded in Paris known as École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq, from 1956 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1999.
Along with other methods such as mime, improvisation, and mask work, Lecoq put forth the idea of studying animals as a source of actor training. He strived for ‘sincerity and authenticity in acting and performance’. In order to convey a genuine naturalness in any role, he believed assurance in voice and physicality could be achieved through simplification of intention and objective. Indeed, animal behavior and movement mirrored this simplicity. Their physicality was ‘efficient and purposeful, but also reflected meaning and direction, and a sense of personality or character.
For the actor, there is obviously no possibility of literal transformation into another creature. Instead, the physicality of an animal is used as inspiration for the actor to explore new rhythms and dynamics of movement, committing themselves to concentration, commitment, and the powers of their imagination.
Examples of Animal Exercises
So how do we use Jacques Lecoq’s animal exercises as part of actors’ training?
First, when using this technique, it is imperative to perform some physical warm-ups that explore a body-centered approach to acting. For example, a warm-up that could be used for two or three minutes at the start of each class is to ask you to imagine you are swimming, (breaststroke, crawling, butterfly), climbing a mountain, or walking along a road, all with the purpose of trying to reach a destination. You can make sounds and utter a phrase or two but in essence, these are body-based warm-ups.
Once done, you can continue to the main exercises. Here are a few examples of animal exercises that could be useful for students in acting school:
- The “Mirror Exercise”: This exercise involves one student acting as the “mirror” and another student acting as the “animal.” The animal student moves around the space, using their body and voice to embody the movements and sounds of a specific animal (e.g. a lion, a bird, a snake, etc.). The mirror student then imitates the animal’s movements and sounds as closely as possible, creating a kind of “mirror image” of the animal. This exercise can help students develop their physical and vocal control, as well as their ability to observe and imitate others.
- The “Animal Improv Game”: This game is similar to the popular improv game “Freeze,” but with a twist: when the game is paused, the students must take on the movements and sounds of a specific animal. For example, if the game is paused while two students are having a conversation, they must immediately start moving and sounding like the same animal (e.g. both students start waddling like ducks and quacking). This game can help students develop their creativity and spontaneity, as well as their ability to think on their feet and work as a team.
- The “Animal Character Study”: This exercise involves students choosing a specific animal and using it as the inspiration for a character. The students can research the animal’s behavior, habitat, and other characteristics, and then use that information to create a detailed character. They can also use physical and vocal techniques to embody the animal in their performance. This exercise can help students develop their character-building skills and their ability to use research to inform their actions.
I hope these examples give you some ideas for animal exercises that you can use in your acting classes!
The 20 Movements
As part of his training at the “Lecoq School, Lecoq created a list of 20 basic movements that he believed were essential for actors to master, including walking, running, jumping, crawling, and others. These movements are designed to help actors develop a strong physical presence on stage and to express themselves through their bodies. Lecoq believed that mastering these movements was essential for developing a strong, expressive, and dynamic performance.
Jacques Lecoq’s Use of Masks
Lecoq believed that masks could be a powerful tool for actors. He believed that masks could help actors explore different characters and emotions, and could also help them develop a strong physical presence on stage. Lecoq believed that masks could be used to create new and imaginative characters and that they could help actors develop a more expressive and dynamic performance. He also believed that masks could help actors connect with their audience and create a sense of magic and wonder on stage.
In a way, it is quite similar to the use of Mime Face Paint. The white full-face make-up is there to heighten the dramatic impact of the movements and expressions. This make-up projects the face of Everyman during the performance, which enables all members of the audience to identify with the situation.