Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clown

Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clowns

From June 3rd to 6th, 2010, some of the World's best Clown and Physical performers will take over 6 Noble Street, the beautiful Pia Bauman School of Creative Movement.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.

The Toronto Festival of Clowns aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds and provide a common space to showcase their work. 

Now entering its 5^th year, the festival continues to encourage the risk and exploration of the clown, hosting new and established works that inspire and delight. 

Past festivals have hosted some of North America’s top clowns, including David Craig (Roseneath Theatre, Napalm the Magnificent), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), Sue Morrison (Institute of Canadian Clowning), John Turner (Mump & Smoot), and Leah Cherniak (Theatre Columbus).

Call for performers
They are looking for 4 full-length productions with a maximum show length of 60 minutes.  All forms and styles of clowning and physical theatre are encouraged to apply – Red nose, mask, bouffon, character pieces, acrobatics, et al.  Please note that the festival is not tailored towards children.
How to Apply
Your application should include the following:

1. Primary contact name, phone, snail and email addresses
2. The title of your piece, playwright, genre and running time
3. Performer/company names and bios
4. Short description of piece/Letter of intent (maximum 3 pages)
5. Photos are very important for us to have to get some visual sense of your show/what you’re working on.  Hard copies are great or digital files – send to festival@torontoclown.com
6. Video (optional)
7. Technical or other special requirements (we may be able to accommodate these with enough notice)
8. 2 cheques/money orders payable to Canada Clown:
1. a non-refundable $25 CDN administration fee
2. $150 production fee: This will ONLY be cashed if your show is accepted into the Festival – if your show is not accepted, the cheque will be destroyed

They must receive your application on or before Monday March 22^nd, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. On or before April 5^th you will be contacted regarding the status of your application.  Should your show be accepted, you will be notified at this time of performance dates and times.

NOTE:  If you withdraw from the festival after April 19^th, you will lose 50% ($75) of your production fee.  If you withdraw from the festival less than one month prior to your performance date, your $150 production fee will not be refunded. 
To apply send your submission to:  
Toronto Festival of Clowns
551 Concord Ave. #1
Toronto, ON, M6H 2R2
What you get:

• 2 performance dates and times over the duration of the festival.
• All performances in a newly renovated 115 seat theatre, with back stage access and a back cross
• Basic festival lighting and sound capability
• 2 lighting specials per company
• A green room
• Blanket festival publicity – the Festival has been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC, Andy Barrie in the morning, NOW Magazine and the Festival has also served as a scouting ground for Cirque du Soleil.
• 75% percent of the ticket money sold for your show.  Single tickets will cost $10.   

NOTE:  You must PROVIDE YOUR OWN STAGE MANAGER for your production should you be accepted into the Festival.

If you have any questions please feel free to email:  festival@torontoclown.com

The Holey Trinity of Festival Producers:
Dave McKay, Adam Lazarus, Sarah Buski

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

.


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

If the Nose Fits...

Great article about Stanley Allen Sherman and his clown nose making career.

READ THE ARTICLE

Find out more about Stanley Allen Sherman at his website listed below:

http://www.maskarts.com/

There's also a YouTube video:

Call for Female Clown Shows- 2010 Festival (Austria)

Clownin, the biennial Austrian women’s clown festival ( I really like it in German- Clownfrauen Festival) will hold its third festival at the Kosmos Theater in Vienna, Austria from November 26-December 4, 2010.

 It is one of two other international women's clown festivals (in Andorra and Rio)

Following the big success of their 2006 & 2008 festivals , they wish to continue to promote international exchange between artists, and display the full diversity of women clowns.  They also expect to host workshops, panels, and promote theory, pedagogy, and a healthy dose of networking as well.

They are looking for shows played mainly or only by women clowns for an adult audience- shows for children or only acrobatic presentations wil not be accepted.

They'll choose about 12 evening shows and several short numbers (for the Opening and Cabaret-Program).






Applications are due March 31st, 2010

The curators for this festival are Pamela Schartner, Gaby Pfluegl and Kosmos Theater artistic director Barbara Klein.

For more information or an application
Contact: info@clownin.at

Website:http://www.www.clownin.at/

Cirque du Soleil Anniversary DVD collection on sale TODAY

If you are like me, you have slowly over time collected Cirque du Soleil videos- mostly either at shows, or if you are cheap like me, you've taped them from Bravo (and/or TIVO'd them) Here's an opportunity to clear up a lot of your TIVO space!


On Sale Today NEW for just $58.99! 12 DVD's of Cirque-- that's around $5 per show. Definitely worth it.

I just ordered mine!

Here's the info:

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Cirque du Soleil's Anniversary Collection 1984-2005 is a 12-disc retrospective of the Canadian troupe's distinctive brand of performance, involving the fantastic feats of acrobatics and athleticism, balance and contortion; the single-ring techno circus; the multicolored lights and costumes; the abstract story lines of fantasy and self-discovery; the music that fuses rock, New Age, and various world influences; and the madcap clowns that prey on their live audiences. The programs included are La Magie Continue (1986); Cirque Reinvente (1989); Nouvelle Experience (1991); Saltimbanco (1994), the 1994 documentary retrospective A Baroque Odyssey; the Amsterdam-set Quidam (1999); Allegria (1999), the live Sydney show; the Chinese-influenced Dralion (2000), in its standard, non-Superbit release; the relatively short IMAX film Journey of Man (2002); Varekai (2002), from Toronto; La Nouba (2003), from Walt Disney World; and Midnight Sun, strikingly staged outdoors at the 2004 Montreal International Jazz Festival.

That's a lot of aerial feats, tricks, and tumbling, but the set is not designed to absorb in one sitting. Rather, viewers can sample both the simpler early shows and the stunning later performances that, with their 5.1 sound and widescreen pictures, are perfectly suited to home theaters. Compiling 12 previously released DVDs in space-saving Thinpaks at an economical price, the Anniversary Collection is nearly all the Cirque du Soleil you could ever want, but completists should note that the set does not include the feature film Allegria: An Enchanting Fable, the bonus disc of Varekai, the reality-TV show Fires Within, and the 13-part variety series Solstrom. --David Horiuchi

Product Description
This anniversary collection celebrates the achievements of the world renowned Cirque du Soleil. The collection includes 11 Cirque du Soleil productions plus a bonus DVD of Midnight Sun, a once-in-a-lifetime special event captured on DVD. The title within this colorful collection are: A Baroque Odyssey, Allegria, Cirque Reinvente, Dralion, Journey of Man, La Magie Continue, Nouvelle Experience, Quidam, Saltimbanco, Varekai, and La Nouba.

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!

USArtists International has recently expanded its aesthetic and geographic parameters and now includes support for American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo artists invited to perform at significant international festivals anywhere in the world outside the United States and its territories. The application deadline for the next grant round of the program will be on Monday, May 4, 2009 for projects taking place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. For a copy of program guidelines and application click here. Questions about USArtists International should be directed to Nicole Russ, at nicole@midatlanticarts.org or via telephone at 410.539.6656 x120. Contact Them email: karen@midatlanticarts.org web: http://www.midatlanticarts.org

Support Hospital Clowns in Haifa!

A friend of mine who is a rabbi is doing a bike tour in Israel with his congregants next week, raising money for a cause.

This year the cause is hospital clowns of Haifa!

Read his letter, and if you are so inclined, support his efforts.

You can find out more about the program "Dream Doctors" at

http://www.le-haim.org.il/site/index.asp

You have to wait for the flash, and then click on the English logo.

Pick a hospital, and you can find out more about the program, and the clowns who work it too.


----
Dear Friends,

A dream is about to become reality for myself and a number of my congregants who will begin a ten day, 350 mile biking adventure on October 19th, 2008 in Israel.

In the spirit of fixing that which is broken in the world, we have selected The Children's Hospital Medical Clowns Project of Rambam Medical Center in Haifa to be the recipient of our fund raising efforts. This initiative brings clowns to the oncology ward, using their skills to entertain the children, providing them a much needed respite for them and their families through laughter, compassion and joy.

I am looking for your help and support in making this dream a reality through your generosity. Please help us put a smile on a child's face by making a donation of sponsorship. Donations can be made easily and quickly online by clicking on the following link:

http://www.shaaraytefila.org/we_care/tzedakah.php

Many thanks in advance for your support and much love,

Jason

Dell'arte Goes to Bali 2009 Feb 9-March 12, 2009

FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 12, 2009
Check out the Bali Blog 2007
by School Director Joan Schirle

Since 1996, Dell'Arte International has invited students, teachers, designers, directors, and artists to immerse themselves in the traditional arts of Bali and encounter the profound spirit of the Balinese people. In this unique and wonderfully successful program participants study traditional Balinese performing arts and crafts with village masters, as well as Dell'Arte mask and movement techniques led by Dell'Arte's Founding Artistic Director Joan Schirle and Dell'Arte faculty.

Bali is an extraordinary island where creativity is ordinary. In Bali, art serves the community, the religious practices, the economy and everyday living. This trip introduces students to Balinese performing arts in a way that allows them to experience how the Balinese live and create, and how family life and religious customs are woven into the creation of art. Unlike programs designed for art tourism, this program is designed for those who want to participate in the family life of outstanding Balinese master teachers as they teach.

Due to the sacred nature of most Balinese arts and the complete intertwining of daily life with ritual, this trip can be an opportunity to deepen our internal connection to our own artistic practice, as well as to take inspiration for creative projects.

THE PROGRAM
The program begins with a relaxing traditional Balinese buffet dinner, followed by three days of orientation to the language, customs, and ceremonies of Bali, as well as informal meetings with Balinese teachers to observe their work. Orientation will include a symposium on masks with famous carver I. B. Anom, visits to the studios of several mask carvers and puppet makers, and attendance at the famous kecak, or monkey-chant dance by firelight.
During the three and a half weeks of formal study, classes meet five days a week. Sometimes our study will take place in a classroom setting, sometimes outdoors, and most often in its traditional setting at village and temple ceremonies.

In addition to their core area of study, all students will study kecak, the rhythmic vocal chant, as well as participate in alternating yoga/Alexander Technique, ensemble voice/chant sessions, plus symposiums on the links between Balinese and western mask performance traditions.

All along there will be time for recreation such as mountain hiking, beaches, scuba, nightlife and shopping, including guidance on how to buy Balinese crafts. Massage and revitalizing body treatments are available at extremely low cost.

CORE AREAS OF STUDY

The core of the program is designed so that each student spends a large percentage of their class time on an area of interest most important to them, and we offer the following options:

• Mask Carving
• Mask Carving/ Balinese Dance (topeng)
• Shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) / Balinese dance

MASK CARVING
Learn from a Balinese master carver how to work with the wood, the traditional tools (axe, chisels, knives), and the paints to create traditional and contemporary masks. You may order and bring home their own complete set of tools for under $40. Students will spend 4 – 6 hours daily in the home of their teacher.
For a lively account of one man's encounter with mask carving, visit this link for interview with design Professor Ron Naverson (S. Illinois U, Carbondale), who was on our '03 trip.

MASK CARVING/BALINESE DANCE
Your morning will include one hour of Balinese dance. Topeng is the name of the masked dance form performed at most Balinese ceremonies. You will work in the studio of a Balinese master teacher, learning the basic walks, postures, arm and head movements in the mask. Topeng is based on stock characters like the king, minister, clown, and you will have the opportunity to see it performed at village ceremonies during your studies. Your carving program is the same as that described above, except that you will have a break after dance, and be carving in the afternoon, spending up to four hours daily with your teacher.

SHADOW PUPPETRY(wayang kulit) & BALINESE DANCE

Wayang kulit is the traditional art of storytelling through shadow puppets, performed by firelight. The puppet master is a combination of priest, storyteller, therapist, actor, and improviser, who manipulates and voices dozens of puppets in one play.
Your morning will include one hour of Balinese dance (see above). Your afternoon will be spent at the home of a shadow puppet master, or dalang, who will instruct you in the art of leather puppet making: design, using the metal punches, painting and rigging techniques. You will observe how the traditional shadow screen is used and develop a short shadow play. Those who are interested in learning Balinese music may elect to spend some time learning the gamelan instrument, the gender, which accompanies shadow plays.

For students who wish to study more dance, we will arrange for other teachers depending on your interest, at a small additional cost.

ACCOMODATIONS

Cost is based on double occupancy in fan-cooled rooms with two beds, private bath, and breakfast included. (Single rooms available for supplemental cost). There is a swimming pool, beautiful gardens, and a covered, open-air studio where some of our classes will be held. Other meals are available in nearby restaurants at very reasonable costs. Vegetarian food is easily available.

You may apply for a shortened version of the program, but must be able to begin the course on the start date. Address inquiries to the Bali program director.

All interested participants will receive detailed advance information on what to bring, how to prepare, and much more.

FOR MORE INFO: EMAIL OR CALL info@dellarte.com 707.668.5663
or visit http://www.dellarte.com

Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth seeks performers

Got this in from Viveca Gardner, of Playful Productions, and the Youth Director of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. They are looking for Youth under age 21 to perform in the Cavalcade of Youth-- see below for more information. If you'd like to perform, email or call Viveca pronto. They've got spots available, and are always looking for the next generation of fantastic new performers. ======= Hello! It's that time again--we're looking for jugglers, clowns, magicians, musicians, dancers, acrobats, and other variety performers under age 21! We want to put you in the spotlight! The next Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cavalcade of Youth performances will be September 26 and November 16 (both Sunday afternoons) at the beautiful Zipper Factory Theater in Midtown Manhattan. If you would like to participate, please reply soon! Also, please help spread the word about these great shows--both to potential audience members and to potential performers. All the information is below. Thanks and best wishes to all. I look forward to hearing from you! Viveca Gardiner Director of Youth Programs, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus President, Playful Productions 212-989-4718 EMAIL: Viveca@playfulproductions.com

*****

The Zipper Factory Theater presents
a Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. and Playful Productions production

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus's
CAVALCADE OF YOUTH
The Performers of Tomorrow Steal the Stage Today!
_______________________________

What: Bindlestiff Family Cirkus's Cavalcade of Youth
When: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Showtime: 2 pm
Where: Zipper Factory Theater
336 West 37th Street, New York City
Admission: Advance Purchase: $7 youth / $12 adults
At the Door: $10 youth / $15 adults
Info/reservations: 212-352-3101 http://www.thezipperfactory.com
_______________________________

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus presents a special showcase for young variety performers, ranging from amateurs to world-class professionals. Juvenile jugglers, diminutive dancers, adolescent acrobats and a host of other moppets and mummers present a full show of vernal vaudeville. Acts range from debuting amateurs to world-class champion performers—all under the age of 21.

Now in its fifth year, Bindlestiff's Cavalcade continues to feature an amazing array of young talent. These are the future stars of Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and television. Where else can you see juvenile unicyclists, tap dancers, magicians, clowns, and contortionists sharing the stage with Broadway-bound singers and classically trained musicians?

Since its inception in January 2004, Bindlestiff's Cavalcade of Youth (COY) program has grown markedly. In September 2006, a few of the COY participants were featured performers in the Speigeltent at the South Street Seaport. In the past year COY has had programs at Abrons Arts Center, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and COY instructors are offering circus skills in after school programs throughout the city. This past summer, COY participated in the American Circus Youth Festival in Illinois. The 2008 Cavalcade of Youth performance season is hosted by the Zipper Factory.

* * * * * * *

http://www.bindlestiff.org * http://www.thezipperfactory.com * http://www.playfulproductions.com

-

A& E Classic Comedy Clearance.

I've gotten a couple of classic physical comedy offers from A & E Entertainment. They're doing a clearance on some great stuff. I thought it would be of interest to some of my readers here.

DISCLAIMER: If you do click and buy any of this stuff, I'll get some small advertising cut... But don't let that deter you from getting some major deals on classic physical comedy DVD's. These are great, and I will probably own most of them before the month is out.

These offers are only good through 8/6/08, or until they sell out.

=============

Benny Hill: The Complete Collection DVD Set	DVD Availability: In Stock Ships to U.S. and Canada 6 DVD(s) / 48 Hrs 20 Min Closed Captioning: No Was: $149.95 Save $59.98(40%) On Sale: $89.97 CLICK TO BUY
The 16-Ton Monty Python DVD Megaset	DVD Availability: In Stock Ships to U.S. and Canada 16 DVD(s) / 1749+ Minutes Closed Captioning: No Was: $99.95 Save $39.98(40%) On Sale: $59.97 CLICK HERE TO BUY
Rowan Atkinson Live! DVD	DVD Availability: In Stock Ships to U.S. and Canada 1 DVD(s) / 55 Minutes Closed Captioning: No More Details Clearance, Save 50% ! Was: $19.95 Now: $10.00 CLICK HERE TO BUY
Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean DVD Set	DVD Availability: In Stock Ships to U.S. and Canada 3 DVD(s) / 350+ Minutes Closed Captioning: No $39.95 CLICK HERE TO BUY

SEEKING AFRICAN-AMERCAN AND HISPANIC MIMES FOR PAID COMMERCIAL

Got this via email just now:  might be good for somebody out there reading this:

SEEKING AFRICAN-AMERCAN AND HISPANIC MIMES FOR PAID COMMERCIAL

DEPT OF HEALTH ABSTINENCE CAMPAIGN
PAY RATE: $1000 for fitting/rehearsal day
$2000 for shoot day including 2 year buyout
Casting Director: Strickman-Ripps
Audition: Wednesday, July 16
Shoot: July 31, 2008
Location: New York

Seeking Mimes. We are open to those who have professional movement and
professional dance experience, but will need to be familiar with miming and
will need to prepare short mime
performance.

[DAD] African American and Hispanic, ages 30¹s-mid 40¹s.
[GIRLS] African American and Hispanic, ages 10-­14.

If interested and available, please call Strickman-Ripps Casting ASAP:
212-966-3211

6 week acting intensive in LA

6 week Acting Intensive

YOU ARE YOU
Laboratory Theater Work for the foundations of the actor's practice and the devising of performance
Based on Eastern European and Russian Traditions

Monday Evenings
May 19 – June 23
7 - 10pm
$240
limited scholarships available

This Workshop will approach the necessities of creating a foundational actor's practice and its application to monolog and scene work through the systematic isolation, coordination and development of the psychic, physical and vocal aspects of the performer's body thus allowing deeper expression and revelation of the self in performance.

[via]Corpora Studio
6575 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood, CA 90038
Contact: bryan@viacorpora.com
213.249.1690

Necessities:
Clothes to move in
Text (chosen by participant and instructor)

You may want:
An extra shirt
A long sleeve shirt/sweatshirt (during breaks)
A notebook and pen (time for hunkering)
Water/snack

BRYAN BROWN has studied physical theater extensively in New York City, Europe, and Los Angeles. He has recently been invited to South Korea as Artist-in-Residence at Hooyang Performing Arts Centre. Previously, his last reconnaissance was 6 weeks in Wroclaw, Poland intensely working with instructors gathered by the Grotowski Institute as well as a profound worksession with Song of the Goat (teatr Piesn Kozla). For almost a decade, Bryan has researched with various physical theater investigators including Stephen Wangh and Raina von Waldenburg, Shinichi Iova-Koga, Mary Overlie and other Viewpoints practitioners, the members of Odin Teatret, Commedia dell'Arte instructors, Contact Dance originators, as well as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. The deepest application has been the process of creating, leading and learning with various experimental ensembles culminating in the work with Artel.

Clown Festival Applications Available

The Brick Theater is now accepting application for the Third New York Clown Theatre Festival! Applications will be due by mid-April. The festival will take place this September. If you're interested, please follow the link below:

http://www.bricktheater.com/clown/

Circus Action International

Inspired by the success of Cirque du Soleil’s “Cirque du Monde”, Ethiopia’s “Circus of Hope” and Cambodia’s Phare Ponleu Selpak, Canadian director Jerry Snell has founded another institution for Youth at Risk using Circus and Performing Arts as a tool for helping migrant and street children, working children, freed bonded labor children, trafficked and victims of slave labor in Asia and Africa. In collaboration with co founder James Tanabe, they have begun to set up CIRCUS ACTION INTERNATIONAL which is currently a network of teachers, programs, companies using performing arts and circus as an educational tool or simply a way to build confidence and resolve feelings of isolation and abandon in youth cornered by complex problems such as human trafficking, war, AIDS/HIV, poverty and political corruption.

The first conference of Circus Action International will be hosted by Cambodian Arts & Circus Company Phare Ponleu Selpak in Cambodia at their Circus Festival 3 to 6 of April, 2008 in Battambang.

If you are interested in helping to organize communications (they currently need an english to french translator) or interested in becoming a teacher in the projects in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and India, please contact Jerry Snell. The teaching projects are set to begin in July 2008. Send him your background and availability for the future, especially if you already have plans to come to Asia.

For more information about Jerry Snell or Circus Action International, visit his website http://www.jerrysnell.com or email info@jerrysnell.com

For more information about Phare Ponleu Selpak, visit their website http://www.phareps.org
It's in French, but there's an English translation.

November 9-11: Conference of Hospital Clowns in Buenos Aires

From November 9-11 there will be The First Congress of Hospital Clowns at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires to teach and talk about the art and science of hospital clowning. It will be in Spanish, and all the information is in Spanish, and my Spanish isn't very good, so some of this info may be wrong-- feel free to correct me, and I'll correct the information)

The conference is being organized by two organizations: Payamédicos, and Clowns No Perecederos. Both organizations organize clowns and artists to help the sick and needy feel better in Buenos Aires. Clowns No Perecederos is a project of Argentinian clown Cristina Marti. I am not 100% sure (as I said, my Spanish isn't very good), but I think they create shows that benefit hungry and homeless kids, and help feed malnourished children. Payamédicos is an organizations similar to the Big Apple Clown Care Unit that connects clowns into hospitals.


There is a full schedule of events during the two days, and it looks like clowns and doctors from Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Spain will be there. The conference will be in Spanish (naturally!)

To find out more about the conference, visit their website listed below:

http://www.congresoclown.blogspot.com/

To find out about the organizations sponsoring the conference, visit their websites.

CLOWNS NO PERECEDEROS
PAYAMÉDICOS

Toronto Physical Performance Workshops in November

Toronto clown Adam Lazarus and guest instructors Susanna Hood and Meagan O’Shea will present three weeks of workshops focusing on physical performance techniques.

These 5 day courses will challenge students to take risks, hone their improvisational skills and push through performance inhibitions to find the pleasure of being present, space, rhythm, fixed point, complicity, focus, flop and play. Students will have daily work on building spatial and body awareness

Each week will focus on a different subject:

Week 1: The Physical Body and Le Jeu Monday Nov. 5 - Friday Nov. 9

Week 2: Introduction to Bouffon Monday Nov. 12 - Friday Nov. 16

Week 3: Building a Performance
Monday Nov. 19 - Friday Nov. 23

All classes will take place at Pia Bauman's School of Ballet and Creative Movement,
6 Noble Street, Toronto. Classes will be held from 10 am- 2pm.

On Saturday Nov. 24 & Sunday Nov. 25 there will be class showings at Theatre Passe Muraille that are Pay What You Can, with money going back to the students.


Costs: (all costs in Canadian dollars)

$300 for 20 hours of instruction over 1 week ($240 equity)
$590 for 40 hours of instruction over 2 weeks ($470 equity)
$870 for 60 hours of instruction over 3 weeks ($700 equity)

To get more complete information, visit http://www.quiptake.com/Workshop.asp

Portland OR: Intro to Clown Weekend 10/20-10/21

Barnaby King is teaching a workshop weekend in Portland OR.

"INTRO TO CLOWN" Workshops Weekend - Oct 20/21 2-6pm
Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
(5340 N Interstate Ave., Portland OR)
Working with the basic concepts of clown work: connection, engagement, knowing yourself, playing with vulnerability and strength.
Cost: $90

Barnaby's Clown Training Philosophy

The kind of clowning I teach stands apart from most clown training in that it is inspired the Native American concept of clown as a transformative and divine being, and blends this with a more traditional European (Le Coq) style of clowning. This methodology was developed by Richard Pochinko and Sue Morrison in Toronto and is still taught by Morrison.

For us, the clown is not merely a fool, an idiot, a figure of fun or a joke-teller (though he/she may be any of these things), but rather a channel for the whole gamut of human emotion and experience, but conveyed in a manner of such extremity, directness and self-exposure to the audience that makes him/her distinct from the actor. The reason that the clown persists as such a potent figure in cultures around the world is that he/she has power to do or say anything, however outrageous or embarrassing, truthful or dangerous, but always in the context of powerful emotional connection with the audience. It is this connection, the ultimate humanity and vulnerability of the clown, which allows him/her to transgress all kinds of boundaries and ultimately to remind us of who we are. The world needs more clowns.

These workshops teach clown through connection, through discovering what you want to communicate and how to communicate it. Learning to clown does not take you down any specific path (any fixed idea of what a clown 'is') but rather supports you in discovering more about who you are and then learning to connect with vulnerability and strength with your audience. Learning to clown is about testing your own limits and going beyond them. As a clown you are able to take people into your world, transform them, and bring them back with a new awareness.


ABOUT THE TEACHER

"Barnaby encouraged me to be more of who I am. I was truly touched by this experience." (Student)

"The clown workshop was engaging and fun, but what I appreciated most is that it challenged me, as an actor and a human being, in profound ways. You are a brilliant teacher." (student)

Barnaby King has studied under master clown teacher Sue Morrison since 2000 and is now a recognized teacher and performer in countries around the world. In 2004 he created a solo clown show, Flawed Genius, which he has subsequently toured internationally with great critical acclaim. He is currently writing a book about clowning with Sue Morrison.


TO RESERVE PLACES CONTACT:
barnabyking@gmail.com
646 673 3014

For more information, visit http://www.flawedgeni.us

Stanley Allan Sherman

Stanley Allan Sherman is a graduate of Ecole Jacque Lecoq in Paris France and has been making leather theatre masks since 1976. He was in the original cast of the Off Broadway Show, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral that ran for 3+ years. On NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien he has been in over 40 comedy bits.
Stanley is co-director and founder along with Hovey Burgess of Roving Classical Commedia University* (Totally Unaccredited). He is also known for his solo clown and commedia style shows that toured around the country and has been the featured show at many festivals for over 25 years, Stanley Allan Sherman's AERO SHOW Featuring The Star Spangled Banner was critic's choice in the Los Angles Times. He was a teacher and mask maker in the late 1970's under the direction of the master of Commedia dell'Arte, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi at his school the Dell'Arte School of Mime and Comedy in Blue Lake, California. (http://www.dellarte.com )

As a master leather craftsman he created the world famous Mankind Mask (the Arlecchino of the WWF) for the World Wrestling Federation. He had the longest running exhibition in the history of the NY Lincoln Center Museum of the Performing Arts. As a leather craftsman he has traded leather techniques and secrets with leather workers from around the world. Stanley directed and developed the children's show Bride of Beowulf, which toured for over 6 years. He has written three plays, teaches mask masking, performing, commedia, mime, clown and mask.

Stanley's websites:
MASK-MAKING: www.maskarts.com
COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE: www.commediau.com.
CLOWN FESTIVAL BLOG: Stanley's Clown Theater Festival Blog

Stanley is another of the official bloggers of the NY Clown Theater Festival. In addition, he's teaching a class at the festival! (I told you he was classy!)

Leather Clown Nose Making Workshop
WHEN: Monday October 15th 2-5pm & Wednesday October 17th 2-5pm
COST: $182 (includes material and tool fee. You get to keep the 7 tools.) *
WHERE: Mask Arts Studio 203 West 14th St Studio 5F, New York NY 10011-7138
WHAT ELSE: Maximum of 6 students.
To reserve your spot you must pay the full fee in advance, because Stanley needs to buy the tools and supplies in advance.

To find out more about the class, visit http://www.bricktheater.com/Sherman

* Past Clowns Nose Students of November or January who would like to take the class again may for a reduced fee of $58 including supplies.

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NY Clown Festival Classes

The New York International Clown Festival has a lot of great classes coming up. Most of the teachers are well-known clown pedagogues (and for those of you with a small vocabulary-- it doesn't mean what you think it means! To the best of my knowledge, none of these teachers have ever been convicted (although I am sure they all have convictions of one sort or another)

What the festival doesn't have is a good online schedule. At least I can't find it. I've broken it down so that at least it's chronological. Sadly, most of these classes are out of my schedule (that's what I get for directing a play, teaching a university clowning class, and directing a festival all at once) All work and no learning makes Adam a sad boy! Or to borrow more directly from the movie — "KITS PALS KITS PALS KITS PALS"

I don't have the time or space to write up each teacher individually-- click on the MORE INFO LINK if you need to know more about the class. Also, each one will take you to a PURCHASE THIS CLASS LINK.

My recommendations: Eric Davis, Sue Morrison, and Dominique Jando are all excellent-- I've done some of the Jando work previously, and Eric and Sue are supposed to both be great teachers. Stanley Allan Sherman's class is great. The others are also supposed to be good, but I've heard less about them. Fusetti has taught at Dell'arte (my alma mater) but I never studied with him.

SAT & SUN Oct 6 & 7 9 AM- 3PM (1/2 HOUR BREAK FOR LUNCH)
Bouffon taught by Sue Morrison
COST: $300
MORE INFO

TUE & WED OCT 9 & 10 9:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Introduction to Clown Through Mask taught by Sue Morrison
COST: $200
MORE INFO

SAT OCT 13 1:30-3:30 PM
Circus Yoga taught by Kevin and Erin O'Keefe (Good for Whole Family!)
COST: $25 FOR ADULTS, $15 FOR KIDS
MORE INFO

MON OCT 15 6:30-10:30 PM
Finding your Clown and Beginning to Write for Clown taught by Patrick de Valette
COST: $100
MORE INFO

MON OCT 15 & WED OCT 17 2-5 PM
Leather Clown Nose Making Workshop
taught by Stanley Allan Sherman
COST: $182
MORE INFO

SAT & SUN OCT 20 & 21 9 AM-1PM, 2-4PM
Working on Your Own Clown: A coaching workshop for clowns taught by Giovanni Fusetti
COST: $300
MORE INFO

MON OCT 22 6:30-10:30 PM
Dynamics of Comedy: Space, Weight and Time in the Comic Situation
taught by Eric Davis
COST: $100
MORE INFO

SAT OCT 27 10 AM- NOON & 1-3 PM
Classic Clown Entrées taught by Dominique Jando
COST:$100
MORE INFO

Clown Parade! October 5, 2007

The 2nd Annual New York International Clown Festival is looking for any and all type of performing artists for it's opening day parade. Jugglers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, unicyclists, clowns, mimes, buffoons and musicians are all encouraged to participate. The parade will gather at Union Square on Friday, October 5th at 4:30 where we will all take the "L" train (at 5:30) to the Bedford Avenue stop. From there we will march to the Brick Theater on Metropolitan and Lorimer where two huge pie fights -- one choreographed, the other open to anyone -- will end the parade and begin the festival.

If you're interested in being involved prior to the parade, want to choreograph a particular section of the parade or just want to help out send an email to Jeffseal237@gmail.com with your contact info and how you would like to participate. Or just show up the day of and bring your friends.

To find out more about the 2nd Annual New York International Clown Festival, visit

http://www.bricktheater.com/clown/