MARGARITA PLAYOUST

Margarita has specialised her work over the past 20 years in embodied learning through movement, alternative dance approaches, body awareness and somatic practices – providing skills to the actor that heighten their awareness and use of their body instrument; and that provide life skills for a more integrated and embodied “being”, creativity and presence in the world, in daily life. 

Originally trained in classical ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary; she undertook acting training at Actors Centre Australia, graduating from The Journey in its early days; and then went on to study at The Victorian College of the Arts, School of Drama.  The past decade has taken her around the world to work with leading experts in alternative approaches to movement, dance and the expressive arts.  This work/study includes her being qualified to teach the Amerta Movement Meditation approach, developed by Suprapto Suryodarmo; Movement based Expressive Arts and the Halprin Life Art work, developed by Anna and Daria Halprin; somatic studies with Jamie McHugh and Susan Harper; and study of the Five Rhythms work developed by Gabrielle Roth. 

Margarita has performed internationally and now focuses her work on teaching in the performing arts; in community based work and those wishing to enliven their experience of the body in life.  She has taught at Actors Centre Australia since 1992, at Sydney Acting School, at various children’s drama, dance and acting programs; and in community workshops both nationally and internationally.