ResearchWorks: How does identity play into practice?

How does identity play into practice?

Third-year doctoral researchers, Anna-Helena McLean and Sandeep Gurrapadi bring their insider experiences as international, multi-disciplinary practitioners to this Researchworks. Unpacking the role of Identity in their unique practices, the presentation runs in two parts. A film and some practical exercises culminate in a conversation about voice work as a narrative tool for facilitating collective experiences of identity.

Part 1: The ACT-ing Voice (Anna-Helena McLean, Guildhall School)

In establishing her own professional identity (ACT INTERNATIONAL Practice and Workshops) after 7-years as principal of a seminal experimental anthropological theatre in Poland (Gardzienice), Anna-Helena came to research to interrogate what it might mean to ‘feminise’ the male-dominated post-Grotowskian canon in which she was trained. Opening with a film captured during a professional workshop (August 2022), the presentation analyses how feminist theoretical frameworks (Braidotti, Magnat, Peck) might help 'give voice' to formerly underwritten, side-lined and silenced (practice-based) knowledge and innovation - and specifically in the field of laboratory theatre.

Part 2: Facilitating in the Third-Space (Sandeep Gurrapadi, Guildhall School)

Sandeep’s research investigates the role of a western community music facilitator within an Indian metropolitan and institutional context - and considers the post-colonial implications, relevancy and ‘novelty’ of such endeavors. The research situates itself within the larger framework of third space theory (Homi K. Bhabha, 1990) and also delves into the context/implications of institutional collaborations between UK conservatoires and Indian musical institutions. In this presentation, Sandeep will offer his findings of working at the cross roads of community music and devised theatre facilitation in India, and will then discuss the challenges and differentiations of following the ideals of ‘UK Community music’ within an Indian institutional context.

Anna-Helena McLean

Anna-Helena is currently in her 4th year of part-time doctoral study at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She read Drama and Music at Royal Holloway University of London with a specialism in solo cello and performance. She is an established music theatre and ensemble coach and director, running her unique approach to acting and voice training called ACT INTERNATIONAL (The ‘Actor-Chorus-Text’ Ensemble Practice and Workshops).

Most recently a Voice Tutor on the Acting Studies BA Hons course at Guildhall and Britten Pears Residency Artist 2022. Her latest work ‘The Voice Lesson - A Performative Essay’ featured at VASTA’s 36th Annual Conference in San Francisco and the film documentary was selected for Snape Maltings ‘Festival of the New’ 2022.

Sandeep Gurrapadi

Sandeep is currently in his 3rd year of doctoral study at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Sandeep completed Masters degrees in both music education and in performance (Voice) from Trinity Laban Conservatoire. As a performer he’s been invited as a soloist in venues ranging from the Beijing National Stadium, the Royal Opera House of Mumbai, the Southbank Centre in London and most recently making his debut with the Welsh National Opera.

In research, Sandeep’s focus has increasingly been focused towards understanding the crossroads where community music and theatre intercept, and the learnings—both practical and theoretical—that might be drawn from their use to create and devise in spaces that inhabit the ‘third space’.

Guildhall School’s ResearchWorks is a programme of events centred around the School’s research activity, bringing together staff, students and guests of international standing. We run regular events throughout the term intended to share the innovative research findings of the School and its guests with students, staff and the public.