Sedona AZ (January 2, 2013) – Award-winning actor, director, writer, theater producer, and former Sedona resident Marjorie Timms will be in Sedona January 8-31st to conduct sessions in what she calls, Mindful Improvisation and Conscious Communication. In describing this work, Marjorie states: “I very much like the psychodramatic principle of ‘Tele’ that allows for receptivity and openness in sensing Story as a universal vehicle, with the intention of availability/emptiness in meeting each new character and finding relationship to situation. To me, this can act as a sort of improvisational ‘glue’ that brings forward a profound sense of connection and allows for the release of the truest emotions – all contained in the collaborative, negotiated vessel of the longer forms of improvisational theatre.”
Harvey Grady, President and CEO of Cornucopia Community Advocates, said of Timms’ work: “Be prepared for a flood of imaginative ideas emerging from Marjorie. Yet be assured that she is very competent in the practical implementation of such ideas, and she delights in drawing similar creativity out of those with whom she works.”
Sedona artists and audiences may recall Timms’ groundbreaking work with Southwest Arts in Action, a Playhouse of Possibilities Academy for children and teens, Arizona Access Theatre, SummerARTSedona camp for Deaf and Hearing children, Phoenix Theatre, Sedona Playback Theatre. She was also facilitator of Compassionate/Nonviolent Communication training, was Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission for the City of Sedona, and was involved with many Sedona community projects.
Timms’ work in group process and action methods in creative and expressive arts grew out of a tradition of theatre improvisation, voice/moment and classic styles of drama discovered as a student at Northwestern University, with the trickle-down comedic influences of 2nd City Chicago combined with research in symbolic imagery in literature with Lilla Heston and Charlotte Lee. Marjorie received a Masters in Acting/Directing at West Virginia University, followed by years of directing and teaching improvisational story theatre, creative drama and traditional forms of theatre throughout the United States. This work led to deeper studies of the influences of Jacob Moreno, Jonathan Fox, Jo Salas and others who combined story/theatre, music and psychodrama with the immediacy and experimentation of the Poor Theatre/Living Theatre tradition, bringing in narrative structure through the Yale approach to story building. In doing so, she found an affinity with Playback Theatre and other improvisational forms and ideas suggested in the work of Virginia Satir, Carl Jung, Marshall Rosenberg and Joseph Campbell, working with the symbolic aspects underlying the mystical connection of actor-actor/actor-audience. In addition to her work in theatre, education, and the performing arts, Marjorie’s doctoral studies also broadened her experiences through projects and research in anthropology, psychology, and psychodrama, along with on-going study of creativity and mindfulness in the development of her Conscious Communication counseling practice.
Stacey Caskey of Chyten Educational Services said: “Dr. Marjorie Timms brings a rich history of training, research and direct teaching experience to the creation of dynamic, interactive, creative sessions. Her broad experience and understanding of learning strategies, along with her deep regard for each of her students are hallmarks of her unique approach to teaching and directing.”
Marjorie’s current work focuses on her conception of Mindful Improvisation, a process she has been invited to share in a month-long residency in Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson, from January 8-February 5 of this year. To reserve space in her various sessions, call (828) 707-1113 or request a schedule of available workshops and sessions at innerconnections@earthlink.net. She is also available to individuals, couples, groups and businesses seeking support in developing Conscious Communication interpersonal skills.