Actor Training Research Articles

Is the Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test a viable alternative to the Trier Social Stress Test?

BackgroundThe Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a widely used laboratory protocol to study acute stress reactivity, a hallmark of which is a meaningful increase in saliva cortisol (> 2.5 nmol/L) in most individuals, reflecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. The Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test (MMST) has potential as a low staff burden alternative to the TSST, with one study showing statistically significant increases in subjective stress, heart rate and saliva cortisol; however, uncertainty remains about the meaningfulness of these psychobiological responses. ObjectiveTo assess whether the MMST is a viable alternative to the TSST. MethodsUsing a between subjects design, 31 healthy adults were randomised to the standard TSST or the MMST using stratified block randomisation accounting for sex and trait anxiety. The standard TSST consisted of an anticipation phase, followed by a free speech and mental arithmetic task performed in front of a panel of trained actors. The MMST consisted of a computer based Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (cognitive stressor) with additional motivational, emotional, and acoustic stressors in the presence of one unresponsive observer. ResultsGroup x time interactions showed that the MMST induced smaller psychobiological responses compared with the TSST (mixed model ANCOVA, P < 0.05). Post-hoc analyses revealed that the MMST induced a significant yet smaller state anxiety response (score range 20–80, MMST: 47 ± 12 vs. TSST: 57 ± 9; P < 0.01, Cohens d = 0.9) and peak heart rate response (MMST: 98 ± 17 vs. TSST: 110 ± 21 bpm; P < 0.05, Cohens d = 0.6) compared with the TSST. Despite observing stereotypical neuroendocrine responses to the TSST, the MMST did not increase saliva α-amylase or cortisol (Δ saliva cortisol, 0.1 ± 1.1 vs. TSST: 10.3 ± 12.8 nmol/L; between group difference P < 0.01, Cohens d = 1.1). Moreover, meaningful increases in saliva cortisol (> 2.5 nmol/L) were observed in 80% of participants after the TSST but in no participant after the MMST. ConclusionThe Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test increased state anxiety and heart rate but not saliva cortisol. As such, the present results do not support the utility of the Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test as a viable alternative to The Trier Social Stress Test.

Climate change among health students in France: a multicenter, cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Climate change (CC) has been identified as the greatest global health threat of our time. To foster the resilience of our health system and promote sustainable health, it is essential to rely on aware and trained actors. We evaluated the level of awareness, perception, and commitment of health students in France about CC and sustainable development (SD) issues. We also assessed their expectations in terms of initial training on these subjects. Methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study targeting students enrolled in Medicine, Pharmacy, Odontology, Maieutics, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Medical Electroradiology in the southwest region of France. The questionnaire used was designed to identify the Knowledge, Behaviors, Practices, and expectations on SD and CC during their studies. It was distributed in a format to be completed online in April 2022. Results A total of 529/7000 (7.5%) health students participated in our survey. Our results show that students have little perception of the impact of the health system on CC. However, they are already committed to reducing energy (97%) and water consumption (94.5%) and sorting their waste (87.8%) in their daily lives. Among students, 73.6% envision themselves as future actors in sustainable healthcare. Although they expect a strong commitment from their training institution, 92% of them think that students are the most active on these issues. Regarding their training, 83% of them think that it should integrate CC and SD issues, while 58.7% say that they have never dealt with this topic at this stage of their studies. Conclusions In France, the initial training of future health professionals must be rapidly adapted and must enable them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the health impacts of CC on the one hand and to reduce the impact of the health sector on the climate on the other to build climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems. Key messages • French health students appear to be committed to the fight against climate change. • Initial training of future health professionals needs to be adapted to give them the knowledge and skills to understand the challenges of climate change with health and the health system.

Citizenship Competencies and the New Social Pact in Science and Technology: The Case of the Creaciencia Project in the Department of Tolima-Colombia

Objective: The objective of this study is to explain the evolution of the new social contract in relation to science and technology over time. Additionally, it aims to show how this contract has influenced the promotion of a new citizenship, as well as the development of the citizen competencies we know today. The role of the Creaciencia project in the development of these citizen competencies in the department of Tolima is also addressed, highlighting its importance as a key factor and foundation for the creation of new forms of citizenship. Theoretical Framework: The study's categories of analysis include citizen competencies, the new social contract, the new social pact, and citizen competencies. Method: In this study, a qualitative approach was used, which proposes a pathway for creativity and a pedagogical approach involving workshops and training for various actors in the educational field. Results and Discussion: The study shows the evolutionary process of the new social pact on science and technology and how it influences the formation of new citizenships. An example of this is the Creaciencia project, which influences the development of citizen competencies in children and adolescents. Additionally, this project exemplifies the fulfillment of the new social pact on science and technology, as it generates a horizontal dialogue between children, adolescents, and academia. Research Implications:The study highlights the development of a new social pact on science and technology and its implications for the development of civic competencies and new forms of citizenship, which in turn creates more active and responsible actors in their environment. Similarly, the impacts of the Creaciencia project are emphasized, which influences the formation of civic competencies among children and adolescents in the department of Tolima, and how it fosters a new social pact on science and technology in the department of Tolima. Originality/Value: This study aims to highlight the evolution of the new social contract in relation to science and technology over time and how it has led to the formation of new citizenships and the development of new citizen competencies. Similarly, it seeks to highlight the impacts of the Creaciencia project, which promotes new forms of citizenship in the department of Tolima.

The Stanislavsky System of Actor Training and Piano Performance: The Need for Interdisciplinary Applications

ABSTRACT This article presents the need to address common performance challenges faced by university-level piano performance majors by adapting techniques from the acting System of Konstantin Stanislavsky, a Russian actor, director, writer, and founder of the Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT) who lived from 1863 to 1938. The common performance challenges addressed in this study are performance anxiety, physical tension in performance, interpretation challenges, and stage presence – the “visual rhetoric” of piano playing. Because the impact of Stanislavsky’s methods on piano pedagogy and performance is not widely understood, this study also gives background and context for the influence of Stanislavsky on a generation of Russian-born and other influential pianists and teachers who became part of the American system of piano pedagogy in the first half of the twentieth century. The article provides support and context for i) the four performance challenges addressed in the study from writings in the field of piano performance and pedagogy, and ii) provides an overview of the Stanislavsky’s acting System, outlining what Stanislavsky described as a lifelong process of learning and implementing his theory of performance. Finally, this article explores iii) the relationship between acting (particularly the methods of Stanislavsky) and piano performance through statements and writings by pianists and pedagogues including Theodore Leschetizky, Heinrich Neuhaus, George Kochevitsky, Rosina Lhévinne, Sviatoslav Richter, and Arthur Rubinstein.

Pharmacists’ mental health support behaviours with simulated patients: a mixed-methods pilot study

BackgroundSimulated mental health role-plays provide a safe and relevant learning experience for pharmacy students, improving confidence in and attitudes toward providing mental health support. Little research explores the use of mental health role-plays, enacted by trained actors, with pharmacists. ObjectivesThis study aimed to pilot the adaptation of simulated patient (SP) role-plays, from the university classroom with students, to a workshop with pharmacists, and explore pharmacists’ experiences. MethodsPharmacists attended a two-hour workshop. Trained actors enacted simulated scenarios (previously developed for pharmacy education) with pharmacist volunteers while being observed by peers, a workshop facilitator, and mental health consumer educator (MHCE). Pharmacists engaged in self-assessment immediately post-roleplay, followed by performance feedback and debrief discussions with MHCEs, workshop facilitators, and peers. Pharmacists completed pre- and post-workshop surveys exploring intended mental health support behaviours, then invited to participate in an interview exploring their workshop experiences and opinions about using mental health role-plays in clinical practice (via mystery shopping). Non-parametric tests were conducted to analyse role-play and survey scores, and thematic analyses were undertaken on interview transcripts. ResultsThirty-five pharmacists attended the workshop. Fourteen role-plays were analysed. Pharmacist self-assessment scores were significantly lower than MHCE scores (P = 0.028). Overall, the role-plays significantly increased pharmacists’ intentions in supporting a person experiencing mental health crises such as suicide and psychosis, as well as encouraging other supports (P < 0.05). Four themes emerged from interviews (n = 4): realistic context for skills application and practice, benefits of observing, self-assessment and feedback, and integrating into clinical practice (via mystery shopping). ConclusionSP role-plays of mental health symptoms and crises, enacted by trained actors, may effectively assess and enhance pharmacists’ intended mental health support behaviours. It is recommended that the SP method is adapted into clinical practice, via repeated mystery shopping visits with immediate performance feedback, to shape pharmacists’ mental health support behaviours.

A Robust Mean-Field Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning Against Adversarial Perturbations on Agent States.

Multiagent deep reinforcement learning (DRL) makes optimal decisions dependent on system states observed by agents, but any uncertainty on the observations may mislead agents to take wrong actions. The mean-field actor-critic (MFAC) reinforcement learning is well-known in the multiagent field since it can effectively handle a scalability problem. However, it is sensitive to state perturbations that can significantly degrade the team rewards. This work proposes a Robust MFAC (RoMFAC) reinforcement learning that has two innovations: 1) a new objective function of training actors, composed of a policy gradient function that is related to the expected cumulative discount reward on sampled clean states and an action loss function that represents the difference between actions taken on clean and adversarial states and 2) a repetitive regularization of the action loss, ensuring the trained actors to obtain excellent performance. Furthermore, this work proposes a game model named a state-adversarial stochastic game (SASG). Despite the Nash equilibrium of SASG may not exist, adversarial perturbations to states in the RoMFAC are proven to be defensible based on SASG. Experimental results show that RoMFAC is robust against adversarial perturbations while maintaining its competitive performance in environments without perturbations.

Actor training: a form of physical development, inner discovery and performativity

Actor training: a form of physical development, inner discovery and performativity

Re-Purposing Suzuki: A Hybrid Approach to Actor Training by Maria Porter (review)

Re-Purposing Suzuki: A Hybrid Approach to Actor Training by Maria Porter (review)

Entrepreneurship Education: Fostering the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Higher Education Tarbiyah Faculty Students in Aceh

Entrepreneurship education is oriented towards offering concepts to develop interest, train, and form business actors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the concept of entrepreneurship education developed in the Tarbiyah faculty of higher education in Aceh, to describe the process of implementing entrepreneurship education in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of higher education Tarbiyah faculty students at Aceh. This research uses a qualitative method where the researcher thoroughly examines the facts at the research location according to the focus of the problem, by researching directly at the research location, then the data from the analysis is presented and a discussion of data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation is given. The results of this study indicate that the concept of entrepreneurship education developed in Tarbiyah faculty colleges in Aceh is by providing entrepreneurship education materials and practices so that students have the spirit and additional skills needed after students graduate so that they are able to become entrepreneurs independently. The implementation of entrepreneurship education in lectures to foster an entrepreneurial spirit for Tarbiyah faculty students is carried out through a learning process of direction and example. Entrepreneurship learning is carried out by providing practical material so that students can have more experience and have a good entrepreneurial mentality. Practices include thinking about what to sell, making business products directly, selling and marketing products online or offline. The obstacle is the lack of funds and facilities available to support student practical activities.

Method Of Acting Training At The Art Space Foundation In Tuban District

The training method for an actor is the first step that becomes an important part of the success of a theater performance. The right training for actors is training that can develop their potential, such as the actor training conducted by the Ruang Seni Foundation in Tuban Regency. Actor training conducted by the Ruang Seni Pribumi Foundation is carried out once a year and is attended by high school / junior high school / high school theater communities in Tuban Regency. The research method used is qualitative with a qualitative descriptive approach that uses data collection techniques in the form of direct observation, structured interviews and field documentation in the form of photographs. Researchers used triangulation of sources and techniques to test the validity and truth of the research. The results showed that the Ruang Seni Pribumi Foundation in the acting training conducted absorbed Constanin Stanislavsky's theory of acting from 15 stages into 5 stages to make it easier for trainees to understand the concept of playing a role for an actor. The results of the application of the acting training method can be seen in the performance of actors in portraying characters when participating in festivals and winning, as well as in the best presenter category and the best actor and actress nominations.

Les reconnaissances en maladie professionnelle lors du suivi de la cohorte ARDCO

Questions concerning under-reporting of occupational diseases (OD) linked to asbestos exposure are regularly voiced in France. Monitoring of the French multicenter Asbestos-Related Disease Cohort (ARDCO), which ensures post-occupational medical surveillance of subjects having been exposed to asbestos, provides information on (1) the medico-legal steps taken following screening by computed tomography (CT) for benign thoracic diseases, and (2) recognition of OD as a causal factor in malignant diseases. OD recognition -and possible compensation- was analyzed in July 2021 among 13,289 volunteers in the cohort recruited between 2003 and 2005. Fifteen percent of the subjects in the cohort were found to have at least one recognized asbestos-related OD (78.2% benign pleural disease, 10.3% asbestosis, 14.2% lung cancer, and 6.0% mesothelioma). Only 58% of pleural plaques reported by the radiologist who performed the CT resulted in their recognition as ODs. On a parallel track, 88.7% of the mesotheliomas identified based on French National health insurance data and 46.9% of lung cancers were recognized as ODs. This study confirms the feasibility of a system designed to facilitate recognition, leading to possible compensation, of asbestos-related occupational diseases. The system could be improved by better training of the medical actors involved.

Analysis of the Influence of Training and Education on the Development of MSMEs in the Community of Kwala Serapuh Langkat Village Moderated by Motivation Variables

This study aims to analyze the Influence of Training and Education on the Development of MSMEs in the Community of Kwala Serapuh Langkat Village Moderated by Motivation Variables. This study uses a quantitative method with a survey approach. The research population is all MSMEs in Kwala Serapuh Langkat village, which is as many as 120 MSMEs. The research sample is 70 MSMEs selected by the purposive sampling method. The research data was collected through questionnaires. Data analysis using SEMPLS. The government and related parties need to improve training and education programs for MSME actors. MSMEs need to increase awareness of the importance of training and education for their business development. In addition, training and education can also increase the motivation of MSME managers to develop their businesses. The results of this study directly show that Motivation does not have a significant positive influence on the development of Community MSMEs. Training has a significant positive influence on the development of Community MSMEs. Training does not have a significant positive influence on the development of Community MSMEs. Education has a significant positive influence on Community Motivation. Education has a significant positive influence on the development of community MSMEs. Meanwhile, indirectly, the training does not have a significant positive influence on the Development of Community MSMEs Moderated by Motivational Variables. Education does not have a significant positive influence on the Development of Community MSMEs Moderated by Motivation Variables

Analisis Kebijakan Penerapan Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri (TKDN) dalam Pengadaan Barang dan Jasa di Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi: Studi Kasus di Biro Umum dan Pengadaan

This research aims to describe and analyze the application of the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) in the procurement of government goods and services at the General Bureau and Procurement of Goods and Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology as well as determine the level of success and find a model for implementing the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) policy in the procurement of government goods and services at the General Bureau and Procurement of Goods and Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and TechnologyThe research method used is a descriptive analytical method with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with relevant officials, document analysis, and direct observation of the goods and services procurement process. This research identified several main challenges in implementing TKDN, including limited local production capacity, quality of domestic products, and understanding and compliance with TKDN regulations by procurement actors. The research results show that although the TKDN policy has great potential to encourage local industry, its implementation still faces various obstacles. Efforts are needed to increase the capacity and quality of domestic products, as well as more intensive outreach and training for procurement actors. This research recommends increasing coordination between government and industry, as well as regular evaluation of TKDN policies to ensure their effectiveness in supporting national economic development.

Embodied ecological awareness and the pedagogy of Jacques Lecoq

This article explores Jacques Lecoq’s movement-based approach to actor training through an ecological lens and its potential impact in fostering embodied eco-consciousness. Reflecting on my experiences as a student at the Lecoq School in Paris from 2002 to 2004, I argue Lecoq’s pedagogy, which includes students embodying various animals, elements, and man-made and natural objects during their training, offers a framework for students to explore complex human experiences in relation to, and as part of, the more-than-human world. Furthermore, I contend Lecoq’s approach anticipates emergent eco-discourses which seek new ways for theatre and performance to challenge anthropocentrism by reimagining our relationship with the natural world. To illustrate the practical application of Lecoq’s pedagogy and its applicability for nurturing embodied ecological awareness and nature connectedness among the next generation of theatre makers, I draw on my experience teaching Eco-Theatre: Outdoor and Immersive Performance, a new module I introduced at the University of Exeter in 2022. I describe and reflect on my endeavours to adapt Lecoq’s approach into a model for green training, extending its reach into proto-environmental contexts.

Approaching actor training in nature

In July of 2022 following a public call for participation, a collective of South West undergraduate and graduate performance artists came together in order to participate in a residential summer school responding to the theme of actor training in nature. Drawing on research in the field of cognition studies, the study adopted micro-phenomenological interview techniques to capture and analyse participant experience. Data reveals that training techniques when situated within land and seascape – coupled with use of micro-phenomenological interviews – supports greater sensitivity to the sensorial experience of nature, attunement to natural environments and different living species, the promotion of ecocentric thinking, and positive behaviour change continuing beyond the residential experience. The study offers readers critically reflective insight into summer school performer-training production processes guided by eco-feminist and egalitarian principles, situated in the rural South West of England, UK.

Actor as expert: Developing an improvisational actor training approach for social work simulations

The increased reliance on online platforms such as Zoom and Teams for skills training for allied health specialists has presented new challenges for the actor and the actor trainer. The research reported in this article grew out of a project set up to investigate these challenges. Since 2021, members of the Deakin University Theatre Department have been collaborating with the charity Anglicare Victoria to deliver online training for Rapid Response social workers who work with families in danger of having their children removed. This has involved recruiting and training actors to act as family members in relevant scenarios in ‘real play’ online simulations so the Anglicare Rapid Response trainee can develop essential skills. Within a practice-led research approach, we ask what might be required when this live embodied skillset is moved online. The article utilizes observations of the video recordings of the training sessions, recordings of debrief sessions and reflections from the author-actors to report on an emerging approach for preparing actors for this type of engagement. We reflect on the ways improvisation is impacted using the ‘online performance’ space, especially how status, eye gaze, body positioning and mise en scène can be utilized in the online environment. We also consider the importance of actor self-care. The article offers a basis of training for a field of endeavour that is becoming more prevalent in the post-COVID world: online simulation scenarios for care workers.

Implementasi Pelatihan Digital Marketing Bagi Pelaku UMKM di Kecamatan Sanggatta Utara,Kalimantan Timur

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in Indonesia's economy but often face challenges in marketing their products, especially in the digital era. This study aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of digital marketing training for MSME activists in Sangatta District, East Kalimantan. The research methodology uses a mixed-methods approach with 50 MSME actors as subjects. The training conducted includes the basics of digital marketing, the use of social media, content creation, search engine optimization (SEO), and data analysis.The results show a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills in digital marketing. Additionally, the training successfully increased sales and product visibility of MSMEs. Training participants began adopting digital marketing strategies and using data analytics for more effective decision-making. These positive impacts indicate that digital marketing training can be an effective solution to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of MSME businesses. This study recommends the implementation of advanced training and continuous support for MSME actors, as well as collaboration between the government, universities, and the private sector to provide necessary resources. Thus, MSMEs in other regions are expected to benefit from similar programs to face challenges in the digital era.

Peran Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) KCP Cirebon Sisingamangaraja Terhadap Perkembangan Sektor UMKM

MSME financing makes a major contribution to improving the performance of Islamic banks. The role of MSME financing is in accordance with the main role of Islamic banks as financial intermediary institutions, collecting funds from the public and channeling them in the form of financing. As in the case of the BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon, it has carried out its duties as a collector of public funds and a distributor of funds, which of course will be channeled back to the community. It can be in the form of KPR, Mitra Guna, Gold Installments or other financing such as KUR and Non-KUR. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of Bank Syariah Indonesia KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon in contributing to developing the MSME sector by helping to provide capital to customers who want to develop their business in the MSME sector, as well as what forms of education and motivation have been provided by the BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon for MSME customers to get support so they can develop their business to the fullest. The type of research conducted by the author is field research using qualitative methods, while the research data collection techniques are collected through interviews, observation, documentation, books, journal articles and then analyzed using descriptive methods. The results of the research analysis carried out are in accordance with the formulation of the problem, namely: (1) The role of BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja related to capital assistance has several stages, namely: The stage of collecting documents, validation, financing process, field surveys, committees, contracts, disbursement, maintenance and repayment. (2) The role of BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon related to education and motivation for MSMEs has not run optimally. BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon has so far not held an MSME development program to educate how important and potential it is to develop MSME. Then, BSI KCP Sisingamangaraja Cirebon has so far not held training and digitization for MSME actors as a form of motivation provided by BSI.

Embodied learning with metaphors and Rich Picture-like diagrams in actor training: an articulated, playful approach to teaching and practice-led research

Metaphors and diagrams are underutilised in actor training, both for teaching and practice-led research, creating a gap in the literature. Combining practice-led research and phenomenology as a methodology, this paper examines the author’s metaphor exercise “INTERACTION IS PLAYING TABLE TENNIS” and four Rich Picture-like diagrams, all constructed through a personal philosophy lens as an acting teacher/coach in the process of redefining Stanislavski’s term “communication” as “psychophysical interaction” and inventing the corresponding technique named “Transitive Psychophysical Interaction Score (TPI Score)”. This examination draws on an interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating Johan Huizinga’s cultural theory of “play” metaphor, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson’s, and Zoltán Kövecses’s theories of “conceptual metaphor”, along with Simon Bell, Tessa Berg, and Stephen Morse’s “Rich Pictures” concept, to reveal how metaphorical and visual elements rooted in physical experiences such as “games/sports”, “colour”, “icons”, and their inherent quality of “playfulness’ reshape actors” embodied understanding of the concept of “interaction” and fostering trainer-trainee dynamics. This inquiry also critically reflects on ineffective instructions commonly used by trainers, arguing that the combination of metaphor exercises and visual metaphors can bridge tacit and explicit knowledge in a structured, engaging way, thereby improving practitioners’ and researchers’ ability to articulate complex knowledge and reveal deep insights in teaching and academic writing, and fostering a more effective and relaxed communication. This creative approach to teaching and practice-led research can be used by a broader community of actor trainers and researchers in the future.

Mastering Angika Abhinaya: somatic actor training with Seraikella Chhau

Various Asian somatic practices, such as Kalarippayattu, Thangta, Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Noh, Butoh, Taijiquan, and Yoga, have been utilised for pre-expressive actor training. The article contends that Chhau movement training, commonly practised in many Indian actor training institutes, can enhance Angika Abhinaya (externalising internal emotions and thoughts through the body) and produce similar outcomes to the pre-expressive actor training that Philip Zarrilli and Eugenio Barba describe. The Chhau movement training has the potential to be explored further as a means of somatic actor training. The article examines the Chhau movement training approaches employed by two veteran Seraikella Chhau trainers. The effectiveness of the training is evaluated through case studies, and primary data is gathered from participant observations, group discussions, and personal interviews. The results indicate that the training is highly effective in enhancing physical conditioning, body language, and expression of inner reality, improving Angika Abhinaya. The Chhau training enhances the participants’ ability to express emotions effectively through movement, enriching their performances.