Explorations in Charisma: Applying experimental actor-training techniques to nurture the outstanding musician

Ken Rea

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this article, Ken Rea describes some of the key exercises he has taught to actors to enhance their presence, charisma and rapport with the audience, and he explains how he has also used these very successfully with musicians.

Drawing on his empirical research with both actors and musicians, and more than 30 years’ teaching at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Rea examines the qualities of outstanding performers, and the key traits and values they project. He explains how these can be nurtured in a conservatoire to facilitate a higher level of success.

One of the biggest challenges to career success, for both actors and musicians, is the need to stand out in an overcrowded profession. Rea’s premise is that, at the highest level this means achieving more than technical mastery: the greatest performers combine virtuosity with a unique and memorable personality that attracts audiences.

His research at Guildhall has successfully concentrated on finding new ways of enhancing personality with actors, thus strengthening their charisma, and he has successfully applied some of these to musicians through ground-breaking techniques. The key quality in his work is playfulness as an essential way of opening up personality and individuality in a performer. This is done through a process that encourages risk-taking, which in turn makes possible bolder artistic choices.

Rea’s proven approach is holistic focusing not just on performing skills but also powerful life skills that can help performers take more control of their lives and thus bring to the stage higher levels of confidence, presence and authority.

The article places this work in context by giving examples of other cross-arts work in Europe. It also suggests ways that this approach can be further developed in music conservatoires. The article is illustrated with photos taken at Rea’s conference workshop, in which actors and musicians worked alongside each other, and short video clips of some of the key exercises.
Original languageEnglish
JournalArts and Humanities in Higher Education
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Explorations in Charisma: Applying experimental actor-training techniques to nurture the outstanding musician'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this