#madforest

Today we did an exercise meant to help with the physicality of our character. We were suggested to pick an animal that would reflect the way our character moves. I associated Flavia with a deer.

Although we were told to focus only on the physical aspect of the animal, I found a nice source about the deer’s spiritual meaning which I think suits Flavia’s inner world.

http://www.spiritanimal.info/deer-spirit-animal/

The meanings associated with the deer combine both soft and gentle qualities and strength and determination.

Some of the deer’s characteristics that match with Flavia’s:

Gentleness

Through the play we see Flavia as an organized, nice woman, always trying to say the right things and be gentle in her actions and words. 

Ability to move through life and obstacles with grace

During the play Flavia is caught in a sort of existential crisis, coping with the society’s rules and lifestyle, but still hoping there is a better, more carefree way of living. We can often observe her inner fights and how deep her suffering can go but she is still managing to be a respectable, balanced woman and move on through life.

Being in touch with her inner child, innocence.

 Although a strong, independent woman- a teacher and mother, Flavia is still on her way towards maturity, often having childish thoughts, expectations, questions and attitudes.

Being sensitive and intuitive

Vigilance

An oppressive environment. Fear. Repression of true identity. Flavia has been living in a communist regime, dutifully and responsibly, rather than living according to her own feelings.Vigilance is a keyword in communist Romania. There was no such thing as freely speak your mind and this can have a great impact on a person’s sense of trust and free expression. Flavia is being defensive and vigilant when speaking with both “strangers” and members of her family.

Physically, a deer would move with some kind of grace,sometimes with a playful touch, and always vigilant.

Starting with this exercise before playing the scenes helps detaching from ourselves in order to create space for this other person to grow. Is like going back to an animal -like existence, on which we can build up the layers of personality and characteristics of another self.