046: Movement and Meaning: Creating Character Through Performance
""My first thing is spending some time with the actor before we do anything to reflect on their own body. There's something about recognising the impact of daily stress on our bodies and then how that impacts performance."
Stephen Moynihanr
In this episode of the Shapes in Motion Podcast, Sarah Perry and Stephen Moynihan explore the relationship between movement and meaning in performance. Together they discuss how performers develop character through both script analysis and physical embodiment, examining a range of acting methodologies, movement approaches, and the role of imagination in the creative process.
From practical techniques to broader questions about storytelling and audience connection, this conversation offers valuable insights for actors, dancers, animators, movement directors, and anyone interested in creating authentic, compelling performance.
Chapters
Introduction to movement and meaning in acting
Starting points: meaning first or movement first?
Meeting performers where they are in the process
Resistance to movement or script analysis and how to address it
Simple grounding exercises for actors
Using observation and imagination to deepen character understanding
The importance of trust and relationship-building in performance work
Traditional teaching methods: Stanislavski vs. Laban
Exploring inside-out vs. outside-in approaches to character development
How movement and meaning serve the same ultimate goal: character building
Addressing uncertainty and the exploration within performance
The role of imagination and filling performance gaps
Making physicality and emotional truth coalesce
Managing choreography and naturalism in performance
When movement becomes too choreographed and how to keep it authentic
Communicating disconnects on stage and in performance
Using subtext and observation to reconnect performance elements
Building trust as a movement director and the vulnerability of actors
The importance of sensitivity and understanding body tensions
Letting go of performance moments that don’t read well
Final thoughts: the value of movement directors in the performance process
To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.