Physical Theatre: Exploring the Slap
Learn about Meyerhold’s form of physical theatre, biomechanics, and understand and perform ‘The Slap’.
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What You'll Learn in This Course
Master key concepts and practical skills through structured learning modules. By completing this curriculum, you'll gain valuable expertise applicable to real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcome 1
This course introduces you to world-renowned Russian director Meyerhold’s technique of biomechanics. It invites you to study and experience first-hand his revolutionary biomechanical étude, ‘The Slap’.
Learning Outcome 2
Through a mixture of video, animation, discussion forums and practical exercises you will begin to understand Meyerhold’s Russian actor training technique – a two-minute repeatable exercise used to develop balance, awareness and expression. You will be invited to explore your own response to this unique approach to training and will share these responses with your fellow learners.
Skills You'll Develop
This comprehensive Physical Theatre: Exploring the Slap curriculum is designed to take you from foundational concepts to advanced implementation. Each module builds upon the previous, ensuring a structured learning path that maximizes knowledge retention and practical application.
Course Requirements & Target Audience
Understand what you need to succeed in this course and determine if it's the right fit for your learning goals
Prerequisites & Requirements
What you need before starting this Physical Theatre: Exploring the Slap course:
- Explore and discuss events in Russia during the first half of the 20th century to help understand the development of Russian theatre, and the lives of Meyerhold and his contemporaries
- Assess your understanding of biomechanics and the études
- Reflect on the week’s learning by contributing to the discussion regarding moving in a biomechanical manner
- Perform the biomechanics and études warm up activities
- Explore the three components of ‘the Slap’
Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for:
- Motivated learners at any level
- Self-paced students
- Anyone interested in the subject
This course might not be suitable if:
- • You're looking for a quick tutorial rather than comprehensive learning
- • You prefer learning without structured curriculum
- • You need highly specialized or niche content
Course Information & Details
Everything you need to know about this online course, from duration to certification
Subject Category
Creative Arts & Media
Course Language
English
All materials in English
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Course Enrollment
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What's Included
- Meyerhold and the Russian Revolution: why biomechanics was invented and why he felt it was necessary
- Exploring ‘the Slap’ through biomechanical training exercises known as études
- Meyerhold in action: working safely by preparing using warm up techniques
- ‘The Slap’ in action: techniques for the ‘shake and shake’, ‘slap and taking aim’, and ‘the slap and return to neutral’
- Production of a video, image or prose demonstrating actions from the études
Affiliate disclosure: course links are affiliate links; an enrolment through one may pay Getting Digital a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to the learner, and it does not influence how courses are described.
- ✓Instant access after enrollment
- ✓Learn at your own pace
- ✓Direct enrollment with University of Leeds
Where this course fits
Wider context: all fields, the glossary and certification exams.
Last updated 20 August 2025 · Getting Digital