Freedom in Discipline: Grounding Wild Impulse with Self-Mastery in Sarah Ruhl's Orlando

The following document is an exploration in practicing the power of discipline in Theatre@Yorks production of Orlando. This support document crafts a personal redefinition of discipline, examines the artistic fertility in practicing routine, and champions diving into the risk that growth demands. Supported by methodology from theatre practitioners such as Steven Wangh (a disciple of Jerzy Grotowski), Erika Batdorf, and Michael Chekov; investigations in dance and drag; and insights into the field of discipline from experts such as Steven Pressfield, Charles Duhigg, Carol S. Dweck, Katty Kay, and Claire Shipman, this text develops a creative process which includes breaking self-perceived limitations in physicality, consciously overhauling daily habits, and amending artistic blind spots. The ultimate objective of this written work is to create an approachable performance methodology that utilizes discipline as a gateway to greater artistic freedom.