Austin Peay to host one-man “7(x1) Samurai,” movement-acting workshops

Austin Peay State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance is thrilled to host Lecoq-trained actor, writer, director and teacher David Gaines. 

Gaines will lead two physical-acting workshops on Feb. 15 and 16 and perform an original one-man rendition of the Kurosawa epic “Seven Samurai” 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Margaret Fort Trahern Laboratory Theatre. 

The workshops and the performance are free and open to the entire community. 

“7(x1) Samurai” is a mix of mime, storytelling and clown that recreates Akira Kurosawa’s renowned three-hour movie in the space of 60 minutes. Gaines’ performance is an acrobatic tour de force. Stunning Kabuki-styled masks depict the two leading combatants as Gaines darts from scene to scene, playing all the characters – villagers, horsemen and samurais. 

Everyone is encouraged to attend Gaines’ movement-based acting workshops. As a specialist in the field of stage movement and actor training through movement, he will guide a preselected group through warmups and physical and improvisational exercises.

Gaines will lead Feb. 15’s workshop, “How to Play With Your Body,” from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 16’s workshop, “Body and Space in Acting Improv,” is 2-4 p.m. Both workshops will be in the Margaret Fort Trahern Laboratory Theatre. If you’d like to join a workshop, contact Talon Beeson at beesont@apsu.edu. Slots to participate in the workshops are limited, but everyone is welcome to come to watch.

“7(x1) Samurai” and the movement workshops are sponsored by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts. For more information, call the Trahern Theatre Box Office at 931-221-7379 or email boxoffice@apsu.edu.

Gaines is a graduate of and was later a teacher at the famed Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He teaches at acting and movement at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

To learn more about Gaines, visit https://davidgainesperformance.com.

You can find more information about the show at www.7x1samurai.com.