Physical Theater

What do we mean when we say “physical theater?” It’s a term that gets bandied about a lot these days - and from all accounts, a genre that seems to be rising in popularity. Finding a convenient definition for it, however, is far from simple.

For our purposes, physical theater is any type of theater that uses movement (instead of words) as its primary storytelling device. This broad category can include any number of distinct genres of performance - for example: mime, clowning and physical comedy, contemporary dance, acrobatics, and even puppetry. Many very popular theater companies - for example, Cirque du Soleil, Mummenschanz, and Théâtre de Complicité - can be classed as practitioners of physical theater. Moreover, there are quite a few popular directors who take physical approaches to their work, even when working towards more or less “traditional” narrative productions (Anne Bogart is a good example of this type of director).

Over the years, physical theater techniques have become especially popular as elements of conservatory training, where they are often combined with more traditional, text-based approaches (as well as “skills” classes like singing and stage combat). While many types of physical theater function as autonomous training regimens (Vsevolod Meyerhold, for example, developed his Biomechanics in response to what he saw as the shortcomings of Stanislavski’s system), many of them also work best in tandem with other modes of training, as tools for strengthening the mind-body connection and developing abilities like balance, coordination, and flexibility.

Despite its focus on the physical aspects of performance, physical theater can be distinguished from pure movement studies such as Alexander Technique or Laban, in that it is concerned not only with movement, but also with storytelling and plot. Instead of cultivating and “inward” focus on bodily abilities and physical control for their own sake, physical theater forms are primarily concerned with the ability to translate these abilities into performance. In physical theater, in other words, the play is still the thing!

Find more information on our page about pure movement studies. To continue reading about physical theater, select an option from the list below.