Татьяна Миронова – The First Public Theatre Guild (страница 3)
Spoke in the guild about a case from my practice that deeply resonated with the participants. Naturally, it directly pertains to theater and the complexity of human life – a complexity often overlooked.
The story was about a woman and her daughter visiting her mother (the grandmother of the child). At the end of their visit, the woman faced her daughter’s disobedience, expressed through hurtful words and accusations directed not only at her but also at the grandmother. Afterward, the woman wrote to her husband, asking him to discipline the daughter and put an end to the “little surprises” her father liked to create. When the husband refused, the woman erupted in anger, hurling accusations, insults, and suspicions of infidelity and betrayal at him.
But was that really the case? Unraveling this complex – yet commonplace for many families – knot began with understanding and uncovering the root causes buried deep in the woman’s childhood. She had experienced a profound, unexpressed psycho-emotional trauma, so intense that it had been hidden deep in her unconscious, surfacing only under opportune circumstances. Her request to her husband to punish their daughter was nothing more than an unconscious plea: “Avenge me.”
As a child, the woman had been abandoned by her father. Within this context, it became evident that, on one hand, she was seeking protection for herself from “her” man (through the image of the father who had left), and on the other, she was unconsciously trying to exact revenge on the world for her past suffering. This drove her entire life, affecting all aspects of it, isolating her further and creating an aura of detachment and alienation. In every situation involving her daughter and husband (where the young daughter symbolized herself, and the husband symbolized the absent father), the man was always to blame, while the daughter became a tool for resolving her “internal issues.”
What happened was both a tool for addressing a great trauma and a purpose in itself – a horrifying confirmation that the male figure was the root of all problems. Until the issue was resolved, everything remained a vicious cycle for everyone involved.
In the context of this example, I also spoke about the persistence of illusions, as the unfortunate woman lived within them, unaware that these deceptive lies were pulling everyone around her into the same situation. The most tragic part is that neither she nor they were to blame – after all, how can you fault a child whose father disappeared from her life, causing it to halt for an indefinite and torturous period? The hopelessness of an unresolved issue or deeply rooted illusions leads only to death and the destruction of all potential.
The term “awakening” means breaking free from illusions and honestly answering oneself. Even one step in this process – questioning: What am I doing? Why am I doing it? How am I doing it? – without self-justification is a step toward liberation.
One must reach the very essence of everything. And how is the life we create in cinema or theater any different? After all, this story is but a fragment caught in the vast sea of psychological phenomena raging within each of us. To do theater, we must shake ourselves free, awaken in the best sense of the word, and then light the lanterns for those standing on a road without stars.
Book Club / Victoria Kurbanova:
The phrase about the neurotic syndrome having a “psychogenic” nature – originating in the psyche – struck a chord with me. It also noted that for an effect to occur, a shock must coincide with a particular mental predisposition. These words immediately made me think about genetics and the inheritance of various mental illnesses. The first chapter doesn’t directly address this, but I believe that “mental predisposition” is closely tied to genetics.
Another surprising story was about a patient who ran away from horses, only to find that the root of the problem was her love for her friend’s husband. That flight from the horses was the unconscious desire triumphing.
I immediately drew a parallel to myself, recalling an incident where my conscious mind sought peace, but my unconscious mind leaned toward conflict. At first, I also thought it all happened on its own and that I had been provoked into the conflict. But after reading this chapter, I came to think that, most likely, I was ready to “be provoked” and enter the conflict myself.
May 5, 2024: Guild of the M. Chekhov Method
Ivan Viktorovich Dementyev:
It was incredible to visit Konstantin Sergeyevich – for the first time! Until now, there was always someone else already at the museum… The anticipation was immense, and the joy was overwhelming!
We didn’t get to the practice yet; we looked to the future, discussed plans, and got to know each other better.
My biggest takeaway: we’ve begun!
We began on a beautiful May evening! This evening is historic!
Anisia Ledovskaya
May 6, 2024: Guild of Plastics and Dance
Elizaveta Yuryevna Matvievich:
Today, we attempted to delve a little deeper into the questions of the body. How surprised they were to realize that all this time, their movements had been trivial! But the most important thing… they want to learn, they truly want to!
May 6, 2024: Guild of Autonics
Roman Evgenievich Akimov:
The session was not without tension among the participants. What I told them challenged their understanding of themselves and the world. Beliefs they held as truth crumbled before their eyes like crystal castles hurled from a cliff. But I stood by them, saying: do not fear, for after the destruction of illusions comes freedom and the clarity to see what must be done next.
During the session, I had to provide immediate support to one participant, as there was no other choice. Her mother is gravely ill, and the moment of her passing is drawing near. I helped her find peace, and this calm extended to everyone around, as if her tears were someone else’s tears as well… and so it was, and so it is.
After the session, another participant wrote to me about her difficult problem – a lack of self-acceptance in the family she is trying to build. Somehow, she keeps returning to unresolved relationships and conflicts from the past that once destroyed her. Worries and haunting images robbed her of sleep, her soul suffering without an outlet. We spoke until 4 a.m., identified the root cause, and outlined a plan for what to do next.
May 7, 2024: Guild of Plastics and Dance
Elizaveta Yuryevna Matvievich:
How wonderful it is that I’m writing this the morning after. Another three hours flew by unnoticed. Oh, the spontaneous improvisation to African rhythms was simply delightful! The exchange of energy was at its peak. So many of them have boundless potential, even if not all of them realize it. The thoughts this sparked in them – and in me – are immeasurable.
May 7, 2024: Guild of the M. Chekhov Method
Ivan Viktorovich Dementyev:
The first practical lesson! We created Living Feelings within ourselves, without drawing on personal experience! Usually, I begin by explaining the three main differences between Chekhov’s method and Stanislavsky’s system, and only then do I introduce the “Expansion – Contraction” exercise. But this time, it was the other way around! Theory will come in the next lesson, but they already know that Feelings can be born in the Center of the Chest through Imagination and Attention!
I am thrilled that everything is unfolding in such a unique way! This is exactly how it should be!
May 8, 2024: Guild of Autonics
Roman Evgenievich Akimov:
We are analyzing the actions of each participant, exploring both their light and dark sides. It feels as though we’ve been wandering in a desert for decades, where the unconscious manifestations of the learners, without my guidance, once again build “idols” for worship, pushing aside what we’ve worked so hard to reach.
At the end of the session, a true miracle occurred. In a challenging moment, as we delved into questions involving a highly talented participant named Yulia, everything around us suddenly fell silent. It felt as though such stillness hadn’t been in K.S. Stanislavsky’s house for a long time – as if even the floorboards and chairs ceased to creak.
Afterward, there were Anton and Alina. For them, this moment was a small step, but what a step it was for humanity.
May 12, 2024: Guild of the M. Chekhov Method
Ivan Viktorovich Dementyev:
The Feeling of Wholeness! The Most Important Lesson! The Most Crucial Topic!
Mikhail Alexandrovich Chekhov said that an actor who does not feel this very Wholeness has no right to step onto the stage! The world is one and whole, and I am a vital part of it! After all, Nature created me exactly as I am, in this exact time, and in this exact place! Was this a coincidence? I deeply doubt it.
Participant in the Audition for the Guild of the Autonics System
Book Club / Roxana Ruinskaya:
Reflected on the first chapter.
1. I was intrigued by Frans’ observation that scientists lack curiosity. When the first work on the new concept of neuroses was published, the authors expressed approval but continued to act as they had before (similar to agreeing the Earth is a sphere yet continuing to draw it flat). This resonated deeply. It reminded me of people in the modern film industry who agree that different methods of existing on screen are great but often rely on stereotypes (e.g., a girl from Central Asia can only play a cleaner, and a fit, muscular guy is always cast as a bodyguard or gangster).