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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Opening Weekend! CRACKED ICE at PS122
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Clown Improvisation: White Noise (NY, April 23-25)
CLOWN IMPROVISATION, WHITE NOISE!
Theaterlab presents
Jef Johnson – White Noise
Friday, April 17, 2009 through Saturday, April 25, 2009
Length: 1 hr 10 mins
Intermission: None
Seating: General Admission
You choose your seats when you get to the theater.
Featuring Jef Johnson, renowned principal clown of Slava's Snowshow in a solo performance. Live Sound by Keith Rubenstein, Live Visuals by Brian A. Berhard.
WHITE NOISE is a real time improvisation of sound, video and clown play. Exactly what you will see is unknown until it happens. Each performance will be a unique experience.
Running for 3 more shows- APRIL 23,24,25
ONLY at THEATER LAB in NYC
Click here for tix info:
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=JEF7
or call for reservations: 212-929-2545
Click here for the Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=67291669826&ref=nf
Theaterlab presents
Jef Johnson – White NoiseFriday, April 17, 2009 through Saturday, April 25, 2009
Length: 1 hr 10 mins
Intermission: None
Seating: General Admission
You choose your seats when you get to the theater.
Featuring Jef Johnson, renowned principal clown of Slava's Snowshow in a solo performance. Live Sound by Keith Rubenstein, Live Visuals by Brian A. Berhard.
WHITE NOISE is a real time improvisation of sound, video and clown play. Exactly what you will see is unknown until it happens. Each performance will be a unique experience.
Running for 3 more shows- APRIL 23,24,25
ONLY at THEATER LAB in NYC
Click here for tix info:
http://www.smarttix.com/show.
or call for reservations: 212-929-2545
Click here for the Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/home.
Golden Nose Award Winners
This now annual event was a lot of fun-- not because of the awards (although it's great to see deserving people get awards) but because of the community that has been created/nurtured by founders of New York Downtown Clown Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe. It's great to see all of these really funny talented people all in a room together. It's even bettter to have a drink with them before (and after the show)
This year's award ceremonies were a little different-- there were only two People's choice awards (that got voted on) and three number of honorary awards. The nose awards were designed by ProKnows
HONORARY AWARDS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN CLOWNING
Hovey Burgess got a lifetime achievement award. Hovey, who is truly one of the instrumental early instructors of circus and clown, has been a constant presence in the NY Downtown Clown Scene. As one of the presenters noted-- not only does he go everywhere, sees every show, but everybody likes him. He's a tireless advocate for circus and clowning, and a great circus historian and archivist to boot.Wearing a formal suit and a very large tie (not shown here) He told a very funny story about John Ringling North, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, and Lady Godiva which ended up crediting LaGuardia for the development of pasties and a G string (he was the mayor that raided Minsky's Burlesque) He also read the famous "But Dr. I am Pagliacci" joke from Watchmen in his best Rorschach voice. (It's the old famous joke--a man goes to the doctor, who checks him out and says "There's nothing wrong with you. There's a famous clown Pagliacci in town-- go see the show, and he'll make you feel better." To which the man replies in tears "But Doctor-- I am Pagliacci!")
CLOWN ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:
Clowns Without Borders USA received a Clown Organization of the Year award for their work bringing laughter and clowns to strife ridden places. I've featured them on this site a number of times. Deven Sissler, who had just come back from Haiti, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. For more information on the great work they do, visit http://www.clownswithoutborders.orgCLOWNS OF THE YEAR:
Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley of the NY Goofs Received the Clowns of the Year award for their dedication and enthusiasm for clown arts. They've been teaching clowning in NY for over 10 years, and though they are now based in Dallas, they are also truly integral members of the NY Downtown Clown Scene. For more information about their work, visit http://www.nygoofs.comAUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Audience Choice Best Clown Act
WINNER-- Musique, by Joel Jeske, Mike Richter, and Christopher Lueck
OTHER NOMINEES:
Eccentric Dance and Hat Act, by Spencer Novich
Kill Me Loudly: A Clown Noir, by FOOLS ON FIRE (Butt Kapinski, Chris Manley, ChrisRoberti and Jeff Seal, Dir. Eric Davis)
The Pajama Men, by Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez
Audience Choice Best Clown Character:
WINNER: Spencer Novich
OTHER NOMINEES:
Emily Carragher
Nina Levine
Tweedy
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tim Conway on the Carol Burnett Show
One of the great television clowns that you don't hear much about anymore, but was a genius at physical comedy, esp. with obstacles.
I was alerted to George Fuller and Adrian Danzig, and nearly died laughing when I saw it.
(as did Harvey Korman, Conway's often broken up partner)
Conway is so matter of fact, but explores the limitations of his obstacle so brilliantly that whatever he does you both don't expect, and at the same time could completely see it coming.
Well worth watching
I was alerted to George Fuller and Adrian Danzig, and nearly died laughing when I saw it.
(as did Harvey Korman, Conway's often broken up partner)
Conway is so matter of fact, but explores the limitations of his obstacle so brilliantly that whatever he does you both don't expect, and at the same time could completely see it coming.
Well worth watching
Thursday, April 16, 2009
May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!
May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!
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Sunday, April 05, 2009
Fools on Fire Cabaret April 18
Dead Herring and Fools on Fire Present a Benefit Cabaret 141 South 5th Street, 1E
Brooklyn NY 11211
Saturday April 18th
Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30
$10 (includes 1 free drink)
Good Food and Drink!Brooklyn NY 11211
Saturday April 18th
Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30
$10 (includes 1 free drink)
Lineup:
ZeroBoy
www.zeroboy.com
'Coney Island of the Mind' piece. Follow along as Zero Boy takes his nephew and the audience on a magical cartoon like audio tour of coney island past, present and future
The Lady's Circus
Static Trapeze
http://www.ladycircus.com
Mike Dobson
Balloon Bongo Drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.mikedobsonmusic.
Spencer Novich and Brett Alters, Clown Duo:
http://brettalters.com/
http://www.youtube.com/Snovich
Mitchell "The Human Jukebox" Yoshida
For a dollar, he'll play on his accordion your request of ANY pop song EVER.
Sapphire Jones
www.myspace.com/
Comedic Burlesque
And your hosts Jeff and Buttons
youtube.com/jeffseal
http://newexcitementcomedy.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Acme Flea Circus Featured on Chicago Television.
My show was recently featured on Chicagoland Television.
Here's an embedded video of it. If you can't see the video, visit their website.
I've started a new blog to house reviews of the flea circus at
www.acmefleacircus.blogspot.com so feel free to check that out also. It even includes a couple of people who blogged about seeing the show.
Not sure how long the video will be up for, so view it quickly!
Here's an embedded video of it. If you can't see the video, visit their website.
I've started a new blog to house reviews of the flea circus at
www.acmefleacircus.blogspot.com so feel free to check that out also. It even includes a couple of people who blogged about seeing the show.
Not sure how long the video will be up for, so view it quickly!
Hey-Ya Brothers in NY at Urban Stages
Hey-Ya Brothers- now performing at Urban Stages!
This 45min show is a mixture of classic comedy, slapstick, juggling, magic, and music. The Hey-Ya Brothers create a memorable show full of laughs. Now with special guest performer Mike Richter!
WHEN: SUNDAYS, March 15 – April 5, 2009 at at 2pm.WHERE: Urban Stages, located at 259 West 30th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues)NYC
TICKETS: $10 To purchase, email urbanstages@gmail.com or call 212-421-1380. Tickets are also available at the door.
Running Time is 45 minutes, ages 3 +
For More Info vsit www.heyyabrothers.com or www.urbanstages.org
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
August 2009 Clown & Comedy Course with Mick Barnfather (London)
Full details at http://www.mickbarnfather.com/workshops.php
London workshop for August 2009 is Clown and Comedy (3rd - 7th August)
London workshop for August 2009 is Clown and Comedy (3rd - 7th August)
| Clown and Comedy In this workshop I will be looking at what it is that makes us laugh and how we can be funny. It is not about big shoes, make up and squirty flowers. I will concentrate mainly on the clown and the pleasure to be ridiculous in the space. The clown moves from one flop to the next always happy and optimistic to be playing before an audience. There are many confusions and disasters in a clown show but there are never any doubts. The clown is joyful, playful, mischievous and full of fantasy. I will also be looking at other catalysts for comedy during this workshop such as status games, parody and improvisation. Nothing in this workshop is related to a style but very much looking to find what is uniquely funny about each person and how they can make that accessible to an audience. Workshops will aim to be energetic and very playful. Participants will be encouraged to have fun and pleasure and use this as a starting point. In my opinion when people have fun and play instinctively it is then that they start to play the fool, tell stories, joke and discover their creativity. |
| Accommodation: Venue: Directions: Hours: Cost: Deposits: |
Friday, March 06, 2009
Maximum Clown Class with Eric Davis (NY)
Eric Davis-- He of the Red Bastard, and director of some top notch bouffonery, is teaching a clown class in NY.It's a one week intensive designed to take you farther than you've ever gone before...
(AND THEN SOME!)
An invitation and a challenge to yourself!
One concentrated week of extreme overindulgence and fun.
Participants will explore taking an impulse (an emotion, an attitude, a concept) to its wild and ridiculously extreme conclusion. A particular concentration will be given to the paradox of "staying true and real" and "committing" to an impulse.
CLOWNS GO TOO FAR! They indulge themselves and their inner impulses!With the only rules being we do not hurt ourselves, we do not hurt others and we do not hurt the space, let us pass through something cute or novel and enter deep into the edges of something wild!
What unknown and ridiculously fun territories might we reach?
Have an impulse to take this workshop?
INDULGE IT!
Space is limited.
Reserve now.
REGISTER HERE WITH PAYPAL
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3724344
Dates & Times
Sunday April 5, 1-4 PM
Monday April 6, 6:30- 9:30 PM
Wednesday April 8, 6:30- 9:30 PM
Thursday April 9, 6:30- 9:30 PM
Saturday April 11, 1-4 PM
15 hours total.
Cost: $250
Location: NYC . TBA
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Jessica Hentoff -Circus Harmony
Jessica Hentoff, founding member of both Big Apple Circus and Circus Flora, is still working in the biz. She is "The Circus Lady" of Circus Harmony and the artistic director of Circus Harmony, a social circus/education program that (as their mission statement says) teaches the art of life through circus education.
In addition to classes and performances in the St. Louis area, other projects have included Circus Salaam Shalom, a project that brought together Jewish and Muslim children. This developed into the Patchwork Circus troupe, which consists of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and Chinese children from urban and suburban areas. Another project was titled Far East Meets Midwest I and II. These shows combined Asian and Midwestern arts and artists. Asian artists wanted to include Middle Eastern musicians. Circus Harmony became the logical confluence of all these projects, combining diverse children and multicultural music into one expansive project.
An interview with her appeared in the St. Louis Jewish Light recently.
Excerpt below:
In addition to classes and performances in the St. Louis area, other projects have included Circus Salaam Shalom, a project that brought together Jewish and Muslim children. This developed into the Patchwork Circus troupe, which consists of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and Chinese children from urban and suburban areas. Another project was titled Far East Meets Midwest I and II. These shows combined Asian and Midwestern arts and artists. Asian artists wanted to include Middle Eastern musicians. Circus Harmony became the logical confluence of all these projects, combining diverse children and multicultural music into one expansive project.An interview with her appeared in the St. Louis Jewish Light recently.
Excerpt below:
Q & A | JESSICA HENTOFF
A life in circus
 Jessica Hentoff, artistic/executive director of Circus Harmony, talks with (left to right) Glenn Callanan, Keaton Hentoff-Killian and Max Pepose before a performance at the City Museum on Saturday afternoon. Photos: Dennis Caldwell |  |
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BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR
Jessica Hentoff, 53, is the artistic/executive director of Circus Harmony, St. Louis' only year-round circus school and social circus program based in the City Museum. She also co-founded the Big Apple Circus in New York in 1977 and Circus Flora in St. Louis in 1986. Recently, Hentoff sat down with the Jewish Light and discussed her obsession with the circus, its place in Jewish history and how it's never too late to join (and you don't even have to run away).
This is one of those questions I just have to ask: What's a nice Jewish girl like you doing in the circus?
I took circus classes in college (at the State University of New York at Purchase) because I thought they would be fun. That was over 30 years ago and it is still fun.
What intrigued you?
A big part was that it never occurred to me that I could do any of the things circus performers do. I grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City attending private school. I couldn't even climb a tree until I was 10-years-old.
Don't you have to grow up in the circus and be from a circus family to be any good at it?
That's a myth. I work with all ages, from 5 to an 82-year-old aerialist. I've taught children of all labels -- autistic, ADD, LDD, BDD, deaf, Down syndrome, physically handicapped. Circus arts doesn't require one skill set. Maybe you can't juggle but you can flip, or you can't flip but you have great balance and can walk the wire. We have kids with severe and obvious disabilities and they find something they can do in the circus. We had one girl who did not have any legs. She was great on the trapeze because she had phenomenal upper body strength. Another performer is missing most of her fingers on one hand. She does aerial work and contortion. The audience sees her ability rather than her disability.
What brought you to St. Louis?
My trapeze partner was from here. She convinced me it would be easier to tour logistically if we lived in the middle of the country.
To find out more about her work, please visit her websites listed below:
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
MOVE IT- Free Physical Theatre March 19 at HERE (NYC)
MOVE IT! – a free evening of Physical and Visual Theatre
Parallel Exit, New York City’s award-winning physical theatre company, offers audiences a free opportunity to see some of New York’s most exciting physical and visual theatre artists in MOVE IT!
MOVE IT!
Thursday March 19, 8:30pm, FREE
HERE Arts Center
145 6th Ave. (between Spring & Broome, enter on Dominick), Subway: C, E, 6 to Spring St.
For Tickets & Information: www.here.org 212-352-3101
This production is being presented through HERE’s Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support.
To find out more about Parallel Exit, the producer of the program, visit their website listed below:
http://www.parallelexit.net/
To find out more about some of the other artists, click on their names below:
Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske, Mike Dobson, and Spencer Novich
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Rev. Billy runs for Mayor of NY (under the Green Party)
Reverend Billy, he of the Church of Stop Shopping, appears to have the endorsement of the Green Party, and will be on the mayoral ticket come November running against Mr. Bloomsberg.At least, so says the New York Times
This is a long line in the tradition of clowns running for elected office. I'm not sure that Rev. Billy would classify himself as a clown, but I do. (and I mean it in a good way, Reverend!)
Rev. Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping have been performing since 1996, growing from a street performer on Times Square to a 35 person choir and 7 person band. The Church of Stop Shopping is a project of The Immediate Life, a New York based arts organization using theater, humor, and grassroots organizing to advance individuals and communities towards a more equitable future - starting today.
They partner with citizens, grassroots organizations and progressive visionaries to produce dynamic, informed public campaigns that enact our core values - participatory democracy, ecological sustainability, and the preservation of vibrant communities and local economies.The big question is CAN HE WIN-- and if he did win, could he actually get it together enough to solve the multiple problems that the mayor of NY must face.
He's got popularity, and a populous message-- but ultimately, I don't think that the people of New York want a reverend (of any persuasion) to be their mayor. I don't even think they want a rabbi, although he might have better luck!
There's a story about Wavy Gravy, who ran for councilman of Berkeley CA, a surprisingly conservative place. Wavy's political poster was a picture of Wavy in his full clown regalia, and at the bottom it said "Wavy Gravy has a long history of fighting for what he believes in. We doubt his opponent has ever been arrested once!" Which is all about spinning your negatives into a positive.
Anyway, the good news about Reverend Billy running is that it will make good entertainment, and hopefully will provoke some real discussion about some of the good Reverend's ideas about anti-consumerism.
Find out more about Reverend Billy at his website
http://www.revbilly.com
Friday, February 20, 2009
Lorenzo Pisoni's story on stage (NY)
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the world premiere of Humor Abuse, the new one-man-show created by performer Lorenzo Pisoni (Equus, Last Dance) and director Erica Schmidt (Debbie Does Dallas).Humor Abuse will begin previews on Thursday, February 19 and open Tuesday, March 10 in a limited engagement at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).
Humor Abuse is the unique story of Pisoni's upbringing as the youngest member of the Pickle Family Circus, the Bay Area's tiny big top that entertained thousands of people worldwide and launched the careers of several legendary performers. Filled with the clowning that Pisoni learned at his father's knee, and the wonder, heartache and complexity of stepping into (and out of) his father's shoes, Humor Abuse shows that running away with the circus isn't always all fun and games.
Lorenzo Pisoni's Broadway performing credits include Equus, Henry IV (LCT). Off-Broadway: Devil's Disciple (Irish Rep), Election Day (Second Stage, Lortel nomination), Last Dance (MTC), As You Like It (The Public), Much Ado About Nothing (NYSF), Troilus and Cressida (TFNA). Regional: The Injured Party (South Coast Rep), The Great Gatsby (Guthrie/Seattle Rep), Tuesdays With Morrie (Seattle Rep), The Tempest (McCarter), The Illusion (NJ Shakespeare Festival), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare & Co.), The Gamester (ACT, Bay Area Critics nomination), Arms and the Man (BSC). Film: Company Retreat, South of Pico. Other credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Lincoln Center/NY Phil), Pickle Family Circus, Cirque du Soleil. Education: Vassar College.
Erica Schmidt's directing credits include: Rent (Tokyo); Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Sorcerer and Copland's The Tender Land (all at Bard Summer Scape); Carnival (The Paper Mill Playhouse); People Be Heard (Playwrights Horizons); Trust (The Play Company, Callaway Award nominee); As You Like It (The Public Theater/NYSF, chashama and New York International Fringe Festival 2000 Winner for Best Direction); Debbie Does Dallas (wrote the adaptation and directed Off-Broadway at the Jane Street); Spanish Girl (Second Stage Uptown); Romeo and Juliet (Outdoor Garage). College and University work includes: Buried Child and R&J (The Juilliard School); Fair Ladies at a Game of Poem Cards (The McCarter's Berlind Theater, Princeton University); Top Girls (Fordham University).
For more information on Manhattan Theatre Club, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
For more information about Lorenzo Pisoni, visit his website listed below:
http://www.lorenzopisoni.com
TICKETING INFORMATION
Single tickets for all Manhattan Theatre Club productions at New York City Center are available by calling CityTix® at (212) 581-1212, by visiting www.nycitycenter.org or by going to the New York City Center box office.
Tickets are $52.00. Group and student rates are also available. For group ticket information, call (212) 399-3000 x 4132. Student tickets are $25 and will be on sale for all performances based on availability on the day of the performance, up to one hour before showtime. Call (212) 581-1212 for further information. MTC at New York City Center is accessible to people with disabilities and is equipped with a hearing augmentation system.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
· THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22: Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 PM. Matinee on Sunday at 2:30 PM. Please note there will only be five performances during this partial week.
· MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - SUNDAY, MARCH 15: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM.
· MONDAY, MARCH 16 - SUNDAY, MARCH 29: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM.
· MONDAY, MARCH 30 - SUNDAY, APRIL 5: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM. Please note that only seven performances are on sale to the general public this week.
· TUESDAY, APRIL 7 - SUNDAY, APRIL 12: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Online Circus Art Museum from the Netherlands
| Pat Cashin (the curator and mastermind behind http://www.clownalley.net) asked me about a source for European circus posters. Before I had clownlink, I had found this and emailed people about it, but apparently never thought to put it up online. This is an amazing resource of thousands of images from European circuses. And a lot of them are available for sale. Looks like prices range from 7 Euros to 105 Euros, and the purchasing engine is in Dutch only. But it looks pretty straightforward. http://www.circusmuseum.nl/eng/
Enjoy! |
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Zing Zang Zoom- Discounts on new NY Ringling Show
Ringling sent me this comeon/discount for their performances and I thought I'd pass it along.It's a fantastic bargain, no matter which way you slice it (well, as long as you bring your popcorn from home, and don't buy any plastic novelties or cotton candy. Because that's where they get you my friends!)
ALL TICKETS $10*
for weekday performances!
SAVE 20%*
on weekend performances!
when you order by Fri. FEB. 13!
Use Customer Code 3986R
New York Metro Area Performances
- Prudential Center (Newark, NJ) - MAR. 5 - 8
- IZOD Center (East Rutherford, NJ) - MAR. 11 - 15
- Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) - MAR. 18 - 22
- Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) - MAR. 26 - APR. 13
To Charge By Phone, Call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.
or buy tickets online
*Exclusions may apply. See SPECIAL NOTES for details
 | *SPECIAL NOTES These offer excludes Circus Celebrity ($150.00), VIP Gold ($70.00), and VIP ($50.00) seating. April 10 - 13 performances are not valid for these offers. Special savings offer are not applicable on facility fees included in ticket prices (Facility Fees: $3.00 in Newark, $4.50 in New York City). Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular performances sell out quickly, so act now! This special eBuzz ticket offer is available online or by phone only thru Fri. FEB. 13. This offer is not valid at ticket outlets. This offer may not be combined with any other offer and does not apply to group sales orders. This offer valid only for show dates and times listed above. Use your American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa (service charges, facility and handling fees may apply). |
Monday, February 09, 2009
Jeff Raz as a talking head.
Happened to find this video of Jeff Raz speaking at the Commonwealth Club of California in June of 2008.Jeff was a teacher of mine at Dell'arte, founder of the San Francisco Clown Conservatory, and recently returned from a year-long tour as the lead clown (The Dead Clown) in Cirque du Soleil's Corteo.
There's a lot of good stuff that Jeff says about his theory of clown teaching, comedy, and he also teaches a couple a clown slap to a bunch of people who are basically sitting down.
The video is kind of long, esp. the two minute introduction of Jeff, but worth it.
Enjoy!
Find out more about Jeff at http://www.jeffraz.com
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Rory Raven- Mentalist at the Frigid NY Fest
My friend Rory Raven is going to be at the Frigid NY festival. Rory is a mentalist who's got a pretty good show. He's been performing at Bright Night for the last few years, and he always rocks the house.
Although it's not really a clown show or even physical comedy, there's a fair amount of "mental comedy" in the show. And it's at the Red Room, same theatre complex as the NY Downtown Clown Revue. Close enough for me!
Anyway, if you have the opportunity, check it out. (and you'll get a discount too!)
Although it's not really a clown show or even physical comedy, there's a fair amount of "mental comedy" in the show. And it's at the Red Room, same theatre complex as the NY Downtown Clown Revue. Close enough for me!
Anyway, if you have the opportunity, check it out. (and you'll get a discount too!)
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Friday, February 06, 2009
ClownLab show- Feb 13, 14 (NY)
Jef Johnson is a principal clown in the international touring company of Slava’s Snowshow. As Clown, he has also toured with Cirque du Soleil. Jef has more than 20 years of experience working in a wide range of physical styles. His approach is rooted in subjective expression, physical expression of condition through impulse and reflex. He has studied corporeal expression from disciples of Grotowski, Suzuki, Marceau, Decroux, Lecoq, Meyerhold, M. Chekhov, Vakhtangov.He teaches a Clown Lab in NY on a fairly regular basis. The product, or clinical trial, as he prefers to call it, of one of those Clown Labs will be coming up on Feb 13 & 14.
I haven't studied with him, so can't really say what his teaching style is like. His website and (clown journal) was a bit too impenetrable for me to figure out exactly what he is all about.
With most things like this, the best way to figure out if you want to study with him is to go see some of his work. Here are the details to check it out for yourself.
Clownical TrialsIn situ modulation using perception action coupling and combined object vectors.
THEATERLAB
137 West 14th Street
New York, NY
February 12-13 at 8 pm
$10.00 Reservations: 212-929-2545
Featuring: Golan, Kathie Horejsi, Julie Josephson, Michaela Lind, Andrew Valins
Jef Johnson's CLOWN LAB is dedicated to the exploration of the mechanisms underlying the nature of clown through behavior, experience and creative association. This is a clinical trial. Real humans will be used.
To find out more about Jef's work, visit his website listed below:
http://www.nyclown.com
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Big Apple chooses new artistic director
Dufresnoy, a former aerialist, has been with the show since 1992.
Full story here:
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090202/COMMUNITIES39/902020326
You can find out more about the Big Apple Circus, including their latest show "The Play's The Thing" at their website, http://www.bigapplecircus.org
Monday, February 02, 2009
Fwd: Don't miss Improviso! by Dell'Arte's first year students
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Circus Oz
Circus Oz is an Australian circus that tours internationally. Begun in Melbourne, Australia in 1978, The company's rock and roll style animal free circus with a live band has toured from New York to Hong Kong.The Circus Oz show is characterized by a multi-talented ensemble. It's not unusual to see the drummers get up and do an acrobatic adagio and then sit back down and drum. One show I saw a number of years ago, the entire band and their instruments were flown upside down while playing.
Another typical act is an upside down wire act, in which one of the performers performs a tightwire style act, but upside down.During February, they will be touring to Berkeley CA and Austin Texas in the US, before heading back to Australia in March.
SCHEDULE 2009
Berkeley, CA, USA 5th February 2009 - 8th February 2009
Austin, TX, USA 13th February 2009 - 14th February 2009
Auckland, NZ 5th March 2009 - 15th March 2009
Nelson, NZ 19th March 2009 - 22nd March 2009
To find out more about Circus Oz, please visit their website listed below.
http://www.circusoz.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Scott & Muriel (and sometimes Joe)
Scott Nelson & Muriel Brugman are award-winning illusionists and visual comedians. Based in the Netherlands, they have traveled to over 14 countries, won the Grand Prix at the 2000 World Championship of Magic in Lisbon, have worked with Cirque du Soleil (on their television show Solstrom) and create their own illusions.Last year they were a big hit at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival (double prize winners!)
On occasion Scott & Muriel work with former Ringling clown/Dellarte graduate Joe Dieffenbacher in a three person show called (aptly) Scott & Muriel's Big Show (with Joe). It also features four musicians, and a lot of physical and visual comedy.
Other shows are called Grand Delusions and Two By Two.
To find out more about their work, visit their website listed below:
http://www.scottandmuriel.com
You can also watch this video below of them at work at the 2008 Monte Carlo festival.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
ClownBrasil.blogspot.com
Clownbrasil is just what it sounds like-- a Brazilian blog dedicated to clowns. They have a number of videos up (mostly from Youtube) with examples and samples of Brazilian clowns. It is curated by Brazilian clown Eduardo Castro.Great stuff!
Most of the clips are in Portuguese, but the site itself uses the Google translation feature, so you can get rough translations of text via Google to English (and a number of other languages.
To find out more, visit the website listed below:
http://clownbrasil.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ira Seidenstein & Quantum Theatre
Ira Seidenstein is an Australian actor, clown, and clown teacher. He's been teaching, directing, and performing for over 30 years. Ira was a student of Carlo Mazzone Clemente (founder of Dell'arte) and of Danny Chapman, one of the great Ringling clowns (and one of the original founders of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College.) Ira also has an MA, is a PHD candidate, and has studied healing at the Berkeley Psychic Institute, and Iyengar yoga also.Ira has taught and performed with a number of companies, including Cirque du Soleil, Circus Oz, Circus Smirkus, Legs on the Wall, Chaplin's Eye, the Bell Shakespeare Company, and many more. He also coaches performers and shows on an international basis.
In 1993 he developed a concept called Quantum Theatre, which he teaches and practices regularly. Quantum Theatre is a "unified theory" of performance that brings the actor from Slapstick to Shakespeare (one of Ira's many workshops is called Shakespeare's Clowns). He uses exercises he invented such as the Creative Twist, which uses the body as a moving, living statue to augment traditional and other methods of theatre, including Suzuki, ballet, Noh, and Kabuki.In 2005, Ira started the next phase of Quantum Theatre, I.S.A.A.C. (International School of Acting AND Clown), which is not a school like a building but a school of philosophy and practices. It should be noted that Isaac means "To Laugh" in Hebrew.
Here Ira describes Quantum Theatre:
Quantum Theatre has three systems and each has ten principles. For example, the Principle of One, represents that all work in theatre is drawn from ones self. The Principle of Two represents the polarity and balance of opposition the Yin/Yang or masculine/feminine energies within oneself. Central in Quantum Theatre is the Principle of Four, the integrative use of Body-Voice-Performance-Creativity.To find out more about Ira's work, visit his website listed below:
The Principle of Four is practiced in a spiral twisting movement that looks like da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man with arms outstretched horizontally. The end of the spiral twist is a held shape that looks like the chi gong pose called ‘embracing the tree’. The Suzuki Actor Training Method uses a similar shape called a ‘statue’.
http://www.iraseidenstein.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Classes with Michael Trautman in Maine
Mr. Trautman will offer the following courses on Tuesdays after school:
CLOWN SKILLS FOR KIDS - Ages 8 to 12. 3:30 to 4:30. Slapstick, juggling, magic, balancing, and more!
PHYSICAL CHARACTERS AND PHYSICAL COMEDY - Ages 12 to 16. 4:30 to 5:30. Mime, movement, creation of character through movement, and study of elements of physical comedy.
MIKERCISE! - Adults. 5:30 to 6:30. Michael leads a vigorous class in movement that will give you a whole body workout. Drawing on over thirty years of physical training and experience students will find out exactly "How does he do all that?"
Classes are ongoing. Students may join the class at any date. Class fee is $15 per week.
Classes are held in the Jesse Building at Breakwater School, 856 Brighton Ave., Portland, Maine
Call 207.450.5342 for information or registration, or contact Michael at info@michaeltrautman.com
PHYSICAL CHARACTERS AND PHYSICAL COMEDY - Ages 12 to 16. 4:30 to 5:30. Mime, movement, creation of character through movement, and study of elements of physical comedy.
MIKERCISE! - Adults. 5:30 to 6:30. Michael leads a vigorous class in movement that will give you a whole body workout. Drawing on over thirty years of physical training and experience students will find out exactly "How does he do all that?"
Classes are ongoing. Students may join the class at any date. Class fee is $15 per week.
Classes are held in the Jesse Building at Breakwater School, 856 Brighton Ave., Portland, Maine
Call 207.450.5342 for information or registration, or contact Michael at info@michaeltrautman.com
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Flea Circus will make Chicago Premiere Feb 26-28, 2009.
I'll be performing the Chicago premiere of the Acme Miniature Flea Circus in February at a great museum/arts center. The Intuit, which is the center for intuitive and outsider art. Kind of like the Museum of Visionary Art in Baltimore or the Museum of Jurassic Technology in L.A., the Intuit celebrates who have a singular dedication to their work, and an amazing amount of creativity and devotion to their artistic vision.
I'll be appearing in conjunction with an exhibit by the works of self-taught Chicago artist Joseph Yoakum.
For more information, see the Press release:
http://www.trainedfleas.com/intuit.html
You can also purchase your tickets by clicking below!
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