We honor those who have come before us, and must give
special recognition to Jerzy Grotowski, one of my own teachers,
who originated the term paratheatrical two and a half decades ago.
We must also honor those who continue in this lineage and take on the
task of transmission. And transmission is what this book is all about.”

from the foreward by MATT MITLER
Director, Theatre Group Dzieci, NYC
Click this for a PDF file of the Foreward

 

Towards an Archeology of the Soul outlines the principles, techniques and ethos of a comprehensive ritual technology for Self-initiation developed by Antero Alli (since 1977). Integrating physical theatre, dance and Zazen meditation techniques, this paratheatre medium looks to the body’s own vital sources to motivate movement, sound, gesture, characterization and mythos. This workbook is a practical guide to solo and group ritual dynamics; includes articles by and interviews with noted ritualists and performers.

Published by Vertical Pool; 272 pages; illustrated; paperback. $18.00 U.S.
AFTERWORD by ROBERT ANTON WILSON, PhD -- ISBN: 0-9657341-2-9

BOOK ORDERING INFORMATION AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

 

BOOK REVIEW #1
by Phil Hall, NY Resident Book Reviewer

BOOK REVIEW #2
filed with The Erowid Library

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS & BOOK EXCERPTS

 

 

 

Section 1: The Syllabus
ORIENTATION: Ritual Technology for Self-initiation
THE FORM: Lab Session Infrastructure (preparation)
THREE LEVELS OF WORK: Initiations, Shadow Work and Distillations
LEVEL I: INITIATIONS: Immersion, Surrender, Self-Access
LEVEL II: SHADOW WORK: Exposure, Confrontation, Catharsis
LEVEL III: DISTILLATIONS: Extracting, Refining, Articulating
Cellular Movement, Character Development, Mythos
Staging Designs for Seven Performance Rituals
RITUAL TECHNIQUES: Developing Skills in this Medium
also: Vocal Creations (includes three sounding cycles)
GROUP RITUAL FACILITATION: On Effective Ritual Design in this Medium
DANGERS INHERENT TO THIS PROCESS: Perils & Pitfalls of Archetypal Evocation
Irritation, Inflation, Grace as Impediment, The Alchemical Nigredo
GROUP RITUAL DYNAMICS: Asocial Intent, Function of Shock, Animamundi
Ritual Glossary: Paratheatrical Terms & Definitions; Relevant Reading

Section 2: Lab Reports
INSIGHTS & REVELATIONS: Excerpts from the author’s ritual journals
LAB PARTICIPANTS’ STORIES: Personal Myths and Visions
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Non-Sectarian Crucifixion Archetypes

Section 3: Dreams & Psychic Projection
DREAMING RITUALS: Non-interpretive Dreamwork for the Active Body
THE ANIMA SHRINE: A Soul-Retrieval Ceremony for Men
THE TEMPLE OF THE ANIMUS: Lab Report by Serene Zloof

Section 4: The Living Earth
GEOMANCY: Divining the Earth’s Spirit by Richard feather Anderson
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION: Ground Designs & Tellurian Currents by Kevin A. Lewis
WILDERNESS RITES OF PASSAGE: Ritual as Personal Response by Julian Simeon
THE GROUNDING CIRCLE: The Planet as Stabilizing Influence

Section 5: Artist Interviews
GUBOO TED THOMAS on the Aboriginal Dreamtime
ELIZABETH COGBURN on Ecstatic Rites & Warnings
PAUL OERTEL on the Voice as Instrument
KEITH BERGER on Group Performance Dynamics
FRED CURCHACK on Solo Performance Work
DAVID ROSENBLOOM on the Alembic of No-Form to Form

 


Antero Alli
(click image for paratheatre bio)

 


ORDERING INFORMATION

 

Copies signed by the author are available for $22. (inc. shipping)
(or $26. overseas airmail; pstpd). Checks or money orders payable to
and sent to: Antero Alli, PO Box 7518, Berkeley CA 94707 USA.

No credit cards; check or money orders only. Usually ships out in 2-3 days.

 

orders within the U.S.
orders outside the U.S.

 

RETAILERS AND BOOKSELLERS go to VERTICAL POOL PUBLISHING

CREDIT CARD ORDERS go to AMAZON.COM

 

 


SPECIAL DISCOUNT PACKAGE

 

GET THE BOOK AND A PARATHEATRE DVD OF YOUR CHOICE
for only $35. (that's a $12. savings!). Shipping included.
Overseas airmail orders, please add $10.

 


click image for paratheatre dvds

 

NOTE: NO PAYPAL OR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED FOR THIS DISCOUNT PACKAGE.
Cash OR Checks/money orders payable to and sent to: Antero Alli,
and sent to Antero Alli, PO Box 7518, Berkeley CA 94707 USA.

Usually ships out in 2-3 days.

electronic mail link

 

 


paratheatre links

 

 


 

PARATHEATRE F.A.Q.

Paratheatre-related articles

Interviews with Antero on paratheatre

ParaTheatrical ReSearch of Berkeley

STATE OF EMERGENCE (PARATHEATRE MANIFESTO)

 

Vertical Pool site map