Antero Alli, founder/director
since 1977.

This website introduces a paratheatre medium complete
unto itself with its own principles, techniques and terms.
This medium combines elements of theatre, movement,
song
and Zazen within an asocial group ritual dynamic
to access, express and embody the internal landscape.

This work is documented in three videos, the workbook
"Towards an Archeology of the Soul", and actualized in
ongoing ritual labs, demonstrations and performances.
Participation by interview. Contact information at
bottom of page. All inquiries welcomed.

Lab Participation Prequisites

Paratheatre F.A.Q.

WHAT'S NEW ?
Updated June 13, 2009.




who we are and what we do





who we are
Past & Current Participants, Testimonials,
Director Bio, Collaborators

what we do
Introductory Reading Material,
Ritual Lab Participation Prerequisites,
Summer 2009 Precision Lab, Autumn 2009 Dreaming Ritual Lab,
Public Event History, Previous Lab Themes, Ritual Journals


 


our current focus: "dreaming rituals"

 

 


Mount Tamalpais

Our current focus is with the development of "dreaming rituals", a precise choreography using movements recalled from night dreams. We are now inviting other Dreamers commited to expanding their movement dynamics to join us on this journey. Interested parties should first read the Lab Prerequisites and "The Mountain Teaches the Dreaming". Contact information is at bottom of this page. -- Antero Alli, director


links to dreamtime cultures
worldwide dreaming traditions

 

 


THREE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THIS WORK


After three decades of working in this paratheatre medium I have noticed three overlapping phases through which this process develops and evolves. These stages unfold as an intrinsically entwined continuum -- no graduations, no final arrivals -- with each stage nurturing the others. -- Antero Alli

 

IMMERSION. The first stage involves cultivating enough internal receptivity -- via the No-Form experience -- to energy sources in the body to offer oneself up to these sources as an immersive experience of self-surrender. The intent is to access the energetic strata of the internal landscape by merging (identifying) with the energy itself. The results are often ecstatic, convulsive, cathartic and chaotic.

SERVICE. The second stage involves serving the direction of the energy itself -- in gesture, voice, action -- towards expressing the innate patterns and currents emerging from the first stage. The intent is to serve the expression of the energy itself, rather than identify with it or impose any preconceived ideas, plans or images. The results are often half-formed, dramatic and/or highly expressive yet without necessarily communicating anything understandable.

PRECISION. The third stage involves a sustaining care for tempering spontaneity with a gently increasing precision. Too much spontaneity turns the work into self-indulgent soup; too much imposed structure kills its life. A balance must be struck. This balance requires a certain stamina for maintaining the dynamic tension between precision and spontaneity, between form and force, or flow, towards ever-increasing durations. Stage three articulates what can be shared with and understood by others. The results are often more economical, distilled, simple and specific.

 

For more details:
CELLULAR CHOREOGRAPHY

 

 


artifacts, interviews, manifesto, essays

 

 


 

artifacts
"Towards an Archeology of the Soul" (workbook)
"Crux", "Archaic Community" and "Orphans of Delirium" (dvds)
"Songs as Vehicles" (CD); other books and films by Antero Alli

and Music CDs by Sylvi Alli

director interviews and podcasts
techniques, principles and processes of paratheatre

 


"Orphans of Delirium"(2004)

paratheatre manifesto
'State of Emergence' by Antero Alli

essays & articles
on the many facets of paratheatre

 


paratheatre sites -- intermedia performers -- dangerous ideas -- dreaming cultures

 

 


CONTACT POINTS
All inquiries welcome.


For Those Requesting Participation
The Interview Process and What To Expect Once Accepted

Lab Participation Prequisites

Address all correspondence to Antero Alli
P.O. Box 7518, Berkeley, CA 94707 USA
voicemail: (510) 464-4640

noform@paratheatrical.com

 

MP3
THE SONGS HEARD ON THIS WEB PAGE ARE SUNG BY
SYLVI ALLI and ROBIN COOMER; "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Danny Boy"
as part of the ParaTheatrical ReSearch "Song as Vehicle" project and CD

site map

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