By Emily Duncan,  Staff Writer

An acting class centered around the idea that theater should be higher, lighter and more joyful is a popular extra-curricular activity for students. It’s called Russian Movement and its being spearheaded by three acting juniors from 10:30 to midnight every Tuesday and Thursday in Room 405 at the top of the Clara E. Jones administration building.

Stefanie Warnick, music theater freshman, relaxes Thursday in the fallen birch tree position during Russian Movement

Julia Devine, acting freshman, is one of regular attendees at this class and admits her first experience was a little overwhelming. “It was a focused kind of chaos,” Devine said. “You will be given an exercise and then you just have to try it.”

This type of movement technique was brought from Moscow, said Aaron Wertheim, one of the student-teachers of the class. He said it was introduced to students here after Stephen Ochsner, an acting student, studied abroad and learned the technique.

“We learned the technique from Oschner who previously taught the class for a year and a half,” he said. “Now we’re teaching it to other students and making Russian movement a tradition on campus.”

During the free class, students should expect to be challenged mentally and physically, Wertheim said. “We do lots of techniques that include ensemble techniques, partnering exercises, balancing, vigorous physical work and stretching,” he said. “We try to focus on bridging the gap between our minds and bodies through different techniques.”

The class is comparable to acrobatic yoga, said Rachel Flesher, one of the group’s teachers. “I feel like yoga is good term to describe it because it gives the sense of physical and mental work,” she said. “We’re not just working on our bodies-we’re putting a lot of emphasis on freeing our minds as well.”

Flesher said she recommends the class to anyone on campus because it can help students in all aspects of their lives. “It really helped me getting to know my body,” she said. “And as an actor and human these are important things.”

Kassie Johnsen, vocal music education freshman, said she has heard about the class and would love to go. “I’ve heard it’s the most unique acting class offered on this campus,” she said. “The people who have gone are pushed to their limits and everyone seems to love it.”

All classes are free and open to the public. Any major is welcome to attend.

This article originally appeared on Page 4 of the October 6th, 2010 issue of The Campus.