Basics of the SAVI System of Singer-Actor Training created by Charles Gilbert Professor of Theater Arts and Head of Musical Theater The University of the Arts, Philadelphia

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THREE MODALITIES

SAVI Talk - a framework of concepts for thinking about, describing and evaluating singing acting

SAVI Etudes - exercises for developing singing acting technique, specific skills which can be identified and refined independent of any specific repertoire

SAVI Songs - the application of SAVI concepts and techniques on specific musical theater repertoire

FIVE AXIOMS

Axiom 1. The singing actor creates behavior that communicates the dramatic event phrase by phrase.

“Realism entails a search for selected behavior pertinent to the character’s needs within the prescribed circumstances of the dramatist.” Uta Hagen, A Challenge for the Actor

Axiom 2. A song is not a single entity but a series of events, each of which offers the singing actor specific opportunities to create behavior.

Axiom 3. The relationship between behavior and emotion is co-axial.

Axiom 4. The artificial can become natural through repetition and persistent practice.

Axiom 5. The best singing-acting has the qualities of Specificity, Authenticity, Variety and Intensity (S+A+V+I=SAVI).