spring retreat
P.E.M in portugal
We will spend a week together and blend, meditation, work on emotions (through the Perdekamp Emotional Method), communal living, and an experience of nature. The aim of this is to deepen our process as actors, but also to slow down, and get in touch with a deeper creativity, imagination, and connection to others.
content
PEM
On this retreat, you will take your foundational knowledge of PEM and work more deeply with the body and the 6 basic emotions. Learn to organically transition through the emotions, create complex emotional mixtures and explore text to open up a whole new world of creative possibilities. You will also be introduced to PEM’s unique, physical approach to authentic character work.
Open up your instrument and expand your emotional range
Learn to use the 6 basic emotions to create complex emotional mixtures (e.g. shame, jealousy, guilt, courage, etc.)
Learn to artfully transition between emotions to create depth, intrigue and nuance
Apply emotion into authentic text work
PEM’s unique, physical approach to character work
Please bring a monologue to work on in these classes.
Afternoons
In the afternoon we will have peer led work, on text, Michael Chekhov work, and time spent in nature.
SAmple dAY
7.30am - Rise
8.00am - Meditate
8.45am - Morning Pages
9.00am - Breakfast
10am - P.E.M Work with Sarah Victoria
1.00pm - Lunch
2.00pm - Scene work / Michael Chekhov / Beach Day
6.00pm - Dinner
8.00pm - Free Time
Below, photos of the retreat centre.
INFORATION ON P.E.M
The Perdekamp Emotional Method (PEM) is a unique, biological approach to the human emotional system. Based on a period of over 15 years of research, German director and playwright Stephan Perdekamp created PEM to assist actors with accessing their emotions in a healthy, sustainable way for performance.
The exercises and tools created were observed to have enormous benefits to one's craft and emotional wellbeing, and thus PEM has now been implemented in major drama universities and acting schools internationally.
For performing artists, PEM's specialised exercises offer an opportunity to liberate the body and artistic soul from emotional blocks and problematic behaviours, thus unlocking their artistic potential.
The well-being benefits of PEM have been reviewed and commended by psychologists, therapists, and health professionals worldwide.
Teaching simple, carefully designed movement exercises, PEM brings the subconscious processes of emotions into conscious awareness, so they can be cleared, managed and strengthened, as well as consciously and creatively used for artistic purposes.
This course is aimed primarily at actors, however, any theatre makers such as directors or writers would greatly benefit from this process.
Mike Alfreds discussing the benefits of PEM
your instructor
sarah victoria
Sarah Victoria is an actress, PEM Master Instructor and Director of Kalliso and PEM International. She has been a certified PEM Instructor since 2004 and trained directly with Stephan Perdekamp. She wrote her master's thesis about PEM in 2004 and has been teaching for over 19 years. Sarah is on the board of directors of the PEM Center Hamburg as well as an actor in the PEM Ensemble Hamburg and the PEM International Ensemble.
Sarah has led PEM workshops all over the globe, as well as teaching masterclasses at major drama universities including at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia, at Babes- Bolyai-University in Romania and many more internationally.
Times & Dates
Arrival: Monday 29th April 7pm
Depart: Monday 6th May 12pm
Price £350 (includes, accommodation and food, but not travel)
Where Vieira de Leiria, Portugal
Places are limited and once full you will be offered a place on the reserve list.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BEING ON RETREAT
Retreats can be a very strong container for us to deepen and experience more of ourselves. They can connect us into a fellow feeling of community, generosity, and collective spirit. Lots of conditions help us do that, being without distraction, meditation, the work. A key factor within this, is each other; how we help each other to go deeper, and co-create a space that is supportive and challenging. In order to do this, we ask that you observe the following whilst on retreat with us:
Phones - We are operating a no phone policy on the premises. We also recommend that you keep your phones off during the whole time of the retreat.
Vegan Meals - all the food we consume on retreat will be vegan.
Community - Building community is a strong part of the experience and so you will be asked to participate in chores throughout, such as helping to prepare meals, washing up, and light cleaning.
Whole Retreat - We can only offer places to people who can attend the whole retreat, so there is unfortunately not the option to book for part of it.
If you feel that some of this may be difficult for you, then please email us at info@lidlesstheatre.com before booking, and we can discuss with you.
A note on what a retreat is for…
Please bear in mind that the retreat features extended periods of silence and the challenge of engaging with our minds, our habits and big themes within our lives. Although it is a very supportive environment, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re in an emotionally unstable state and unsure how you’ll manage on retreat, please get in touch at info@lidlesstheatre.com