I am my own commedia mask

In honor of International Commedia Dell'arte day, I took a series of self-portraits with my ibook camera that I am titling "I am My Own Commedia Mask"

Masks? I don't need no stinkin' masks! :o)


I've attached the slideshow here. But if you can't see them because you don't get flash, visit http://bit.ly/commedia_faces for the FLICKR page.

February 25: International Commedia Dell'Arte Day

(Thanks to new papa Brian Foley for bringing this to my attention!) He'll also be performing at the View Theatre, Roy Arias Studios on Feb 25 in celebration.  See the postcard below for details)

Associazione SAT

has proclaimed February 25, 2010, a worldwide Commedia dell'Arte Day

Simultaneous events will occur all around the world as theatre companies, scholars, students, and audiences celebrate Commedia dell'Arte on Feb 25, 2010. There will be shows, conferences, lectures, and workshops in dozens of global cities. This worldwide festival is promoted by the Italian cultural association SAT and organized by Faction of Fools using viral and grassroots tools, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

View the current list of worldwide participants!

For more information, email them, join the Facebook group “Commedia
dell'Arte Day,” and become a "Facebook fan" of Faction of Fools.

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Theatre companies--large and small--will produce shows in the style of Commedia dell'Arte using traditional character types and scenarios. On Feb 25th, events will occur in hundreds of cities as diverse as Boston, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Beirut. The flagship event will be in Bologna where SAT and La Fraternal Compagnia will host an international conference of prominent European scholars and performers. Other companies are invited to produce events in their own cities and may utilize the free scripts and performance guides that are available on the Faction of Fools website http://www.factionoffools.org.

Commedia will also be in the classroom as theatre instructors dedicate their February 25th class time to Commedia dell'Arte at drama schools and universities around the world. Primary and secondary school teachers in the US can find easy-to-use, free curriculum that will aid them in teaching a lesson on Commedia dell'Arte tailored to their theatre, art, history, literature, or language classes. Curriculum will be available on the Faction of Fools website in January.

Did you know that Commedia dell' Arte is not recognized
as a "World Cultural Heritage"?

The United Nations' cultural wing (UNESCO) has officially recognized indigenous theatre traditions such as Japan's Noh and Kabuki; however, the famous "stock characters" of Commedia dell'Arte--Arlecchino (Harlequin), Pulcinella, Dottore (the Doctor), Pantalone (the Pantaloon), Scapin (Scapin), and Scaramuccia (Scarmouche)--have yet to be acknowledged.

The Italian cultural association SAT is petitioning the nation of Italy and the United Nations (UNESCO) for official recognition of this famous and monumental theatre form, and Faction of Fools is proud to support this appeal.

To organize a “Commedia dell'Arte Day” event in a theatre or classroom near you or for more information about SAT's petition for recognition of Commedia dell'Arte as "World Cultural Heritage," email Faction of Fools Artistic Director Matthew R. Wilson.

Commedia dell'Arte Day is promoted by SAT and is organized by Faction of Fools and the SAT project incommedia.it.

Clown Car Commercial for KCI

This commercial has a lot of great elements in it, and to my mind, uses the clowns in just the right way.
(Thanks to Toto Johnson for pointing this out, and being in the commercial to boot!)

Rhett and Link's T-Shirt War

Not saying these guys are actually clowns, but there are a lot of great clown ideas here, and really well executed use of stop motion.  The gag of pulling real stuff out of the shirt or vice versa is really well used.  Almost an object lesson in one-upsmanship and clowning, but in a film form that would be a little harder to pull off on stage.    And their marketing of the shirts afterward is great too.

A couple of these effects have me thinking...

You can find out more about these guys at their website: http://rhettandlink.com/

I'm definitely planning on taking a look at the rest of their pieces, based on this one.

Flying Karamazov Brothers in NY through March 7

World renowned juggling group who don't fly, aren't brothers, and aren't Russian, the Flying Karamazov Brothers are performing their show 4Play at the Minetta Lane Theater until March 7th.  If you don't know them, you should.  They are fantastic!  Actually, an earlier iteration of their show that they performed one summer at Trinity Rep got me interested in vaudeville.  I must have seen that cabaret 10 or 12 times as an usher!  (Yes, FKB, it's ALL your fault!)  

 

If you go to the box office at the theater, you can avoid the $7 "service" charge from Ticketmaster.

If you're on the fence, just watch this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALkHQnPPn0

Click Here Call 212-307-4100 Minetta Lane Theatre 18 Minetta Lane New York, New York 1pm- showtime   Don't miss THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS in 4PLAY! LIMITED ENGAGEMENT February 8 thru March 7 ONLY! The Flying Karamazov Brothers are preparing for lift-off from the Minetta Lane Theatre from February 8 through March 7th for a run of their non-stop hit show "4PLAY". An innovative blend of comedy, theatre, juggling and music, this exuberant and hilarious theatrical event is recommended for ages 5 through 95. For tickets as low as $10 you get to ride a rocket to Planet K. The Karamazovs, master practitioners of cheap theatrics, juggle 'til they drop. The audience is invited to bring objects to the theater for Karamazov's Champ to juggle, making each show unique."4PLAY" shows NY's favorite multi-faceted, new-vaudevillians at the apex of their ambidextrous ability. Come watch the Flying Ks as they prove with each performance that chaos and unexpected events in our lives are the best part of being human. Four Weeks, Four Brothers, For Everyone, 4PLAY. "Book passage now! An evening of airborne hilarity! These four unrelated American lunatics know exactly where they are going — to the moon and beyond!" - The New York Times "Drop everything and go see them!" -The Today Show "So much fun that anyone you take to see it will want to go to bed with you!" -Chicago Reader INSANELY CHEAP!! TICKETS STARTING AT $10! WEEK 1 February 8 - 14 $10 - $50 WEEK 2 February 15 - 21 $20 - $55 WEEK 3 February 22 - 28 $25 - $60 WEEK 4 February 28 - March 7 $30 - $65 Performance schedule: Tuesday - Friday at 8pm Saturday at 2pm & 8pm Sunday at 2pm & 5pm Special performance: Monday, February 8 at 8pm February 8th - March 7th www.fkb.com

Silent Clowns Film Series Winter/Spring 2010 (NY)

The Silent Clowns Film Series under the direction/curation of Bruce Lawton and Ben Model has created another stellar lineup of classics and gems for cineastes and physical comedy aficionado's to drool over. This time it's films that are held in private collections, so these are RARELY seen. If you fall into either of those categories (film lover or physical comedy lover) you owe it to yourself to take a Sunday and spend it in the dark with Ben and Bruce. It will be well worth it. All programs will be held at the Arclight Theatre, located at 152 W 71st Street, between Broadway and Columbus. Tickets are $10 for all adults, and $5 for seniors, kids and members. Live piano accompaniment by Ben Model at all shows. Visit http://www.silentclowns.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets. I've also put the program descriptions below.

Sunday, February 21 at 2pm Films from the Jack Roth Collection If Mack Sennett was "The King of Comedy" then Hal Roach was its "Crown Prince." After starting as an extra in 1914, Roach was instrumental in making Harold Lloyd a comedy star, and along the way developed a school of comedy that consisted of recognizable everyday people trapped in outlandish and embarrassing situations. Today’s selection of 1927 releases includes the Stan Laurel vehicles DUCK SOUP, EVE'S LOVE LETTERS and WHY GIRLS LOVE SAILORS, plus Max Davidson in JEWISH PRUDENCE and Charley Chase in THE STING OF STINGS.
Sunday, March 14 at 2pm Films from the Streamline Films Collection: Johnny Hines was a very popular clown who made many Harold Lloyd-type of comedy features in the 1920s, but is unjustly overlooked today. CONDUCTOR 1492 (’24) gives a good look at Hines’ ability with sight-gags, not to mention his engaging smile, and breezy personality. Opening for the feature is Glenn Tryon, another neglected clown, in the Hal Roach short WHOSE BABY ARE YOU? (’25).
Sunday, March 21 at 2pm More films from the Streamline Films Collection When the cinema began every film was a short subject, but as the industry grew so did the length of its films and shorts became a pre-feature special attraction. Comedy shorts were a standard part of the typical theatre bill, and this program provides a wide sampling of the art form. Our line-up is Ben Turpin in LOVE’S OUTCAST ('21), UP ON THE FARM ('25) with Lee Moran, Lupino Lane in MOVIELAND ('26), WHAT! NO SPINACH? ('26) with Harry Sweet, and Snub Pollard as THE OLD SEA DOG (’22).
Sunday, April 11 at 2pm Films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Throughout the silent era there were numerous "fun factories" that specialized in producing and distributing silent comedy one and two-reelers. From giants like Sennett and Christie to micro units like Tenneck – they all worked overtime to supply a steady stream of movie laughter. Our cross-section of producers include Harry Cohn (Sid Smith in A DOG-GONE MIX-UP, ’21,), Larry Darmour (Mickey McGuire in MICKEY’S CIRCUS, '27), William Fox (Arthur Housman in JUST A HUSBAND, '27), Louis, Adolph, & Max Weiss (Ben Turpin in THE EYES HAVE IT, '28), and Hal Roach (Snub Pollard in STRICTLY MODERN, '22, and Stan Laurel in COLLARS AND CUFFS, '23).
Sunday, April 25 at 2pm More films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Known as “The King of Comedy,” Mack Sennett was actually the Henry Ford of slapstick, as he was the first person to create a film studio devoted to turning out comedies on an assembly-line schedule. The main targets for the rough and rowdy Sennett crew were order, pomposity, and social standing. Having discovered most of the big names in the genre, today’s sampling highlights the year 1926 and stars such as Billy Bevan, Ralph Graves and Ben Turpin in the shorts WHISPERING WHISKERS, HUBBY’S QUIET LITTLE GAME, YANKEE DOODLE DUKE, WHEN A MAN’S A PRINCE, and ICE COLD COCOS.

NY Clown Theater Festival Sept 3-26, 2010: CALL FOR ARTISTS

Just received this from the NY Clown Theatre Festival-- they are on again!  This is year #5.

NY Clown Theatre Festival 2010 

September 3-26th, 2010

New York Clown Theatre Festival is an annual celebration of the art of clown. Every fall the Brick Theatre presents the very best of clown performance from around the globe as well as hosting classes and workshops by world-renowned teachers. We host a bevy of outrageous events, including a massive pie fight, clown parade, and a clown funeral. The festival enters its 5th year this fall.  We look for full shows, cabaret pieces and shorter (20minute) pieces.  We do a mix of new and established work and focus on presenting a wide range of clown theatre and building our international community.
 

Last year we scaled the festival back to "Amuse Bouche" a small number of invited shows and will stick with this format every other year.  We are gearing up for the full scale festival September 3-26th, 2010. Let the application process begin!  You can find information on the space, details about requirements and the online-application here:  
http://www.bricktheater.com/applications

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Deadline for applications: May 15, 2010.
Please email completed application, all supporting materials, and questions to:
clown@bricktheater.com.

Also join us on our new facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=293300703234

Pochinko workshop in Brooklyn 3/21-4/22/10

WORKSHOP
Character Mask to Clown With Deborah Kaufmann
Inspired by the teachings of Richard Pochinko, Canadian clown master teacher


"If we face the six directions of self, we can't help but laugh at the beauty  and ridiculousness of all that we are." -- Richard Pochinko

This investigation is an inspiring way for the artist to make direct connection to aspects of his/her true self. In the spirit of physical discovery and playfulness we will visit our childhood room, experience a bittersweet goodbye, and find the personal meaning in the colors of the rainbow. 

Then we will each make six masks: North, West, South, East, Above and Below. We will connect to and physicalize each direction and then create a clay mask. The masks are explored and a character is developed for each one. All six characters are combined to create a persona that is unique, with a deeply personal mythology and imagined environment that can be used for exploration and the development of new material. 

For artists in all disciplines and the seriously curious.
March 21 through April 22, 2010 (First Day of Spring to Earth Day).
Sundays and Thursdays; 5 weeks
March 21 3-8 pm, Then Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Sundays, 4-7 pm
$500.00, Scholarship available
Maximum 12 Students
Brooklyn Studio


Deborah Kaufmann has performed and taught Clown and Hospital Clowning in the US, and around the world. She has been the National Creative and Educational Coordinator of Big Apple Circus Clown Care since 1994. In that capacity she trains, coaches and directs, as she oversees the artistic quality and growth of more than 80 unique “clown doctors.”  Of her 2006 performance at the New York Clown Theatre Festival,  nytheatre.com said, “this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief and solid will operating unfettered at maximum strength.”     http://www.tooshorttofallover.com

“It's a dream to find a teacher who combines a sharp directorial eye,  intuition as a clown, and a deep knowledge of techniques and material.
                  --Tanya Solomon, clown and burlesque performer 


The supportive way in which Deborah taught really resonated for me.”
               --- an Australian Student 

CONTACT: debdib@verizon.net
            www.tooshorttofallover.com