Direção de movimento, assessoria de movimento cênico e preparação corporal: ofícios do corpo

Abstract

This text addresses the practices of professionals dealing with the physical expression of actors in theatre productions. These functions were labeled as “body language” in the 1970s, or “physical preparation” in the following decade. Currently, they are referred to as “movement direction” or “movement coaching”. Professionals in this area come from such diverse fields as dance, martial arts, theatre, circus and somatic education. A survey of the practices developed by these professionals is necessary to establish a meta-discourse about this profession in higher arts education. The presentation of different viewpoints on the topic is fundamental to outline the complexity and origins of these functions. Therefore, the main objective of this communication is to promote research on the crafts of the body, to stimulate the crossing and circulation of knowledge, and possibly to contribute to their recognition and legitimation as a permanent category in the Brazilian theatre.