The Lecture on Heads

A Performance-Based Research Workshop- May 7th, 13th & 14th, 2019

This 3-day practice-based workshop explored intersections between the scientific lecture and the 19th century performance style of lecturing, through the 1764 solo show: The Lecture on Heads. Written and performed by George Stevens, The Lecture on Heads presents numerous wooden and papier maché heads, each of which represents a stereotypical character (i.e. Old Maid, Fop, Politician, etc.). Over the course of this workshop, participants embodied these characters and experimented with different styles of lecturing.

Day 1: May 7th, 2019

The first day included a reading and discussion of the play script (downloadable version), a discussion around different modes of lecturing from the 19th century to the present, and a discussion around the project’s goals. Prior to the workshop, participants received a dramaturgical package, written and curated by Adam Corrigan Holowitz, with details on the play and its production history; material on various forms of monodrama (solo shows); and modes of lecturing/lecture performance from the c19 to the present (e.g. Spalding Grey, scientific lectures, Ted Talks, Charles Dickens’ public readings, etc.); a summary of the history/use of “tables” in performance; and a brief overview of phrenology; images/illustrations of performers.

Day 2: May 13th, 2019

The focus of the second day was on caricature and stereotyping. In the morning, participants selected one of the many characters featured in The Lecture on Heads and offered various interpretations of that character using movement, text, and other vocal sounds. Participants also had the option to interpret the characters through drawing or collage. The second half of the day asked participants to consider the design/scenography of a performance piece like The Lecture on Heads, through specific experimentation with tables and props/heads.

Day 3: May 14th, 2019

On the third day, participants were asked to explore different modes of lecturing, drawing inspiration from a variety of styles presented in the dramaturgical package. Participants experimented with selections from the play to incorporate aspects of the movement/choreography they developed the previous day. The day concluded with a debrief with participants, where they had an opportunity to discuss the discoveries they made and pose questions to the research team.