English
Therapy Through Creating
"The essence of this work is an investigation. Not of text nor the history of texts, but an exploration of one’s self, reflecting from the textual study. We are not here to renew anything in the theoretical learning, but to expose that which has been registered within from that process. There is no attempt to invent anything new, but to reveal that which has been covered deep inside. Gradually exposing the connections we could not see before. These connections are a result of precise work, of separating between the important and the unimportant and of recognizing the good".
About me
Producer and director of Ritual Theater. An acting coach and an integrative therapist. Graduate of the East-West Psychology program at the Tel Aviv university. Actor and assistant director at the Theater Workcenter of ground breaking Director Jerzy Grotowski in Italy. I watched and studied personally with Yemima Avital. I incorporate her doctrine of "cognitive thinking" in the actor's work on himself and in the therapeutic work.
I won the 'AICF' (Sharret Foundation) scholarship for choreography, wrote and performed an original musical from the Assarraf home and danced in the 'Inbal Dance Theatre Company'. I participated in 'The Religion and Theater Workshop' in Odin, Denmark and 'The Multinational Artists Workshop' in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. Taught acting and stage movement at 'The Hebrew University' in Jerusalem and the school of communication and theater 'Ma’ale'.
I tutor individuals and groups on the actor’s work at: The School of Visual Theatre, Mattan (experimental theatre), Kibbutzim, Creative Midrash Sihara, The Schechter Institute, The Branco Weiss high school in Ramla, and the program of 'Molichut Ruach' that integrates arts in religious education.
I was part of the creative team that developed 'Beit-Midrash' for youth at risk in Ramla, and the theatre company of 'HaMartef' (the basement). Performed in 'The Israel Festival' and various plays in the institutional and fringe theaters in Israel.
From 1993 to present, I am the creative director of theatre groups based on rituals, Jewish and others.
Workshops
Group Psychodrama
Psychodrama creates a therapeutic atmosphere that lets repressed emotions be heard, by creating trust in the therapist with the encouragement of the group. In addition, this method increases the potential of inner and outer observation and creates an opportunity for change.
The work on an actor – Ritual Theater
Work developed from the approach of Director Jerzy Grotowski. The workshop is geared towards actors and dancers and others seeking insight into their lives through theatre, focusing on physical and vocal exercise.
Between tradition and worship, drama and movement
Investigating and strengthening the connection between tradition and inner-work, between drama and ritual, between prayer and movement. Using experiential and practical training, movement classes, viewing photographs and analyzing them, reading text that support the self examination through movement.
The actors work verses prayer
Practical workshop that includes physical and voice training. Based on the teachings of Jerzy Grotowski, a Polish theater director that caused a revolution in the way of thinking about theater roles all over the world. He changed the actor status, the method of training and the way of playing a role.
The center
In Israel, the creative work often deals with the religious and spiritual, which draws inspiration from Jewish stories, texts and myths. However, instead of focusing on the ritual itself, it concentrates only on the study of the Jewish texts.
The Center for the Ritual Theater Research is unique by turning the ritual into a useful tool and revealing its essence. It serves as a creative core for the revival of the ritual itself, and spreading it to the wide audience, through the theatrical experience.
Contact
Avi Assaraf
phone: 050-6819057
email: avishuv@hotmail.com
Nes Harim 280 p.o. box 84
Doar Na Maté Yehuda 9988500
Israel.