The Pacific Performance Project east (P3) was founded in 1994 by Robyn Hunt and Steve Pearson in response to an expanding dialogue about culture and
theatre, and a need to more fully integrate physical conviction in
performance with inner conviction. For the past twenty-five years movement-
based production, drawing on elements of dance, performance art, new
vaudeville, circus and other related disciplines, has become more
prominent in American theatre, requiring innovative methods of training,
rehearsing and performing. Formal styles of Japanese theatre have
provided useful training skills for actors in this country and
have had a marked influence on the development
of new productions, both avant-garde and mainstream.

Hunt and Pearson began working with noted Japanese
director Tadashi Suzuki and his company in 1982,
studying his theatre techniques and acting in
productions in Japan over the next twelve years. After several years of
study Mr. Suzuki encouraged them to be among the first to teach his
techniques in the United States. This method has become very influential
in contemporary American actor training, receiving considerable attention
in American Theatre, The Drama Review, Theatre Forum, The New York Times,
and other national publications.

In 1987 Hunt and Pearson saw the Tenkei Company perform Shogo Ohta's
masterwork MIZU NO EKI (The Water Station) in Tokyo. They were struck by
the elegant simplicity and extraordinary power of the work, and realizing
that the demands of slow tempo complemented the Suzuki training in
important ways, began in 2000 working intensively on slow tempo and
silence. They worked with Mr. Ohta in Kyoto and were directed by him in a
new version of the play, after which he encouraged them to use and expand
on his methods.

Pacific Performance Project east produces productions which employ a synthesis
of the core of Suzuki training, modern dance, slow tempo, circus
technique, silent narrative, and a fresh response to Stanislavski's ideas.
Additionally, P3 offers workshops in Physical Approaches to Performance
which address the integration of a strong inner conviction with full and
powerful conviction in the body. These workshops have been very productive
for actors, dancers, directors and performance artists.

Pacific Performance Project east is now based out of Columbia, South Carolina. Inquiries should be made to the following:

Robyn Hunt: Robyn@sc.edu or Steve Pearson: Jsp@sc.edu
or via mail:
Pacific Performance Project east
University of South Carolina, Department of Theatre and Dance,
Longstreet Theatre Columbia, SC 29208