Integration

Integrate (In·te·grate v.) “is defined as to join two or more objects or make something part of a larger whole, or to become joined or combined in this way.” It seems when integrating one is always uniting, combining or joining seemly distinct things. To my mind it is a mistake to assume that the word “integration” or “integrated actor training” suggests that by some miraculous means voice, movement, and breath all become one thing rather than a combined set of parts working together. The parts are always there (and can be identified separately) just united for a common purpose. This is how integration is best achieved. This makes sense after all we need our body, breath, voice, thoughts and feelings to work together when we express ourselves. This integration I speak of is not unlike a group of single flowers combined to make a bouquet. To make an integrated and beautiful flower arrangement attention must be given to each individual flower, but it is important to understand each flower’s specific and unique contribution to the larger whole. The Japanese call this integrated

art of flower arranging "Ikebana." When integrating we must always strive to understand each of the individual parts in a larger context. In my work integration is achieved through a shared set of principles that articulate the universal manner in which thought and feeling is expressed in the body—the major and minor Principles of Expressive Action. When a sound philosophy is in place, one no longer references voice, movement or acting in isolation, but in the integrated act of expression itself.