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Monday 29 November 2004
Artmedia News
Welcome to the November/December 2004 edition of the Artmedia physical theatre newsletter, your e-publication with an Australasian focus and a global perspective.
I'd like to wish everyone on the list a good festive season, as this will be the last issue for 2004, and the next issue will come out in early January. To celebrate this month we have an HTML edition of the newsletter, which comes with full colour images.
In the Sponsorship this month, we welcome CircoArts with information on their full time training in circus & physical performance, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, which offers a two-year Diploma in Circus Arts. Students come from New Zealand and Australia as well as from Europe and North America, for this course.
In Playspace news, I am teaching a Clown Intensive in Sydney in March next year. And I presented my book Angels can Fly to a couple of panels of clowns at MotionFest, including some of the best in the business, and received some valuable feedback, and some
commitments to put anecdotes in the book. And if you work as a clown, there is also still a chance to get your story into the book.
In the Features, Red Spoon are offering a two week clown training intensive, from 10th to 21st January, 05 in Brisbane, Australia, and Lisa Brickell promotes her clown classes at the beautiful Aio Wira retreat centre in the Waitakere Ranges, near Bethells Beach on the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand.
In a new Special Feature section, I present a report on MotionFest -the Finale, in Baltimore earlier this month. And in the Networking, we have info on the Lucky 13th Annual New Zealand Juggling Festival, while a choreographer/teacher is sought for Fling Physical Theatre in NSW, Australia.
Applications are open for the 05 San Francisco Fringe Festival, in America, and we also have information on Circelation, a professional development program for Circus Artists and Circus Directors in England.
The Festival of Circus Arts, La Piste aux Espoirs, in Belgium is calling for non-professional youth circus acts, and Angela de Castro is teaching her 'How To Be A Stupid Workshop' in Berlin, Germany, starting this Monday.
And finally in the Noticeboard, we have a puppetry focus, with Puppet Centre Trust bursary applications, in London, the Actor and the Marionnette workshop in Montpellier, France, and a puppet maker required for a street arts production in Yorkshire, England.
In Australia, Bob Burton, has joined Music Theatre Australia, a booking Agency in Melbourne, and you will have to move quickly for the West Australian Youth Theatre Company auditions, because they are on this Sunday. While, in England, Adventures In Space are running some Physical Theatre Training, leading to a performance.
We aim to provide an avenue of communication for the physical theatre community, so send us information for inclusion in this newsletter, and please also forward this to someone else who may be interested.
Artmedia Site News - http://www.artmedia.com.au
On the Artmedia site you can find links to performers, companies, resources and festivals all over the world, and you can also subscribe to this newsletter. The newsletter archive now includes all issues for 2002, 2003 and 2004. Check it out at: http://www.artmedia.com.au/news.htm
From the classic clowning tradition, iDado is a new vaudevillian: http://www.artmedia.com.au/dado.htm Rosemary Armstrong , walking tall on her aluminum 'legs', www.artmedia.com.au/rosemary.htm Aerialize have information on their aerial theatre classes and projects in Sydney. http://www.artmedia.com.au/aerial.htm Hemlock Mejarne is an acrobat, stilt-walker, who has a range of skills. http://www.artmedia.com.au/acronym.htm Circus Unique , children's workshops and entertainment http://www.artmedia.com.au/circusunique.htm Sue Broadway has information on her touring performances and projects. http://www.artmedia.com.au/broadway.htm Bike Boy , world-renowned street entertainer and extreme performer http://www.artmedia.com.au/bikeboy.htm The Bendy Em Show . Check out Emma's contortion show at http://www.artmedia.com.au/bendyem.htm Physical TV has info on Karen Pearlman and Richard James Allen's Dance Films. www.artmedia.com.au/physical_tv.htm For one page on the Artmedia site, it is just $20 a month, or $30 for as many as you want, so contact us if you want to promote your work on a site which features search engine referrals direct to your page, and over 1,600 links from like- minded sites.
Sponsor: CircoArts, Training in Circus & Physical Performance
CircoArts, Full time training in circus & physical performance Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) is based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and offers a full time two-year Diploma in Circus Arts .
The program has been running for nine years and has evolved to meet industry and market needs and trends. Students come from New Zealand and Australia as well as from Europe and North America.
The aim of the program is to prepare performers in physical performance media (with a strong contemporary circus focus).
Australian students are considered domestic students and enjoy both local (New Zealand) fee structures as well as access to the government student loans scheme.
The curriculum covers a range of subjects (courses) including:
• Expressive Performance Media - including dance, mime, mask, theatre, clown, character
• Body Training & Awareness - conditioning and endurance, plyometrics, exercise, biomechanics, Yoga, Feldenkrais
• Circus Skills - a wide range under the categories of juggling and manipulation, equilibristics, acrobatics & aerials
• Devising & Performance - ensemble shows & solo/duo acts
• History & Comparative Studies
Business & Risk Management
The circus skills components are a major part of the study .program. Our graduates enter the industry in a wide range of contexts from. Rock n Roll to Cirque du Soliel, from stunts in film to comedy circuits, from the street to the big top circus.
Why us?
• Our strengths are in facilitating original creative self devised work with a focus on the integration of circus skills into dramatic, comic and visual expressive media.
• Students have almost unlimited after hours access to the training space and equipment. This is an incredible opportunity to work on material or enhance training regimes.
• CircoArts has established a caring, mutually supportive environment in which students are encouraged to push their boundaries in all areas of their learning.
Applications are open till end of January 2005.
Apply now for 2005! 0800 24 24 79 (NZ only)
info@cpit.ac.nz www.cpit.ac.nz/subjects/circusarts
Playspace News - Workshops with Alan Clay
"In the best clown tradition Alan held up a window-mirror for us to step through and reflect on the patterns, habits and rituals of our days... It was funny, moving and excellent theatre." NZ Herald.
5 Day Sydney Clown Intensive, 2005
The next workshop I will teach in Sydney is a new five-day Clown Intensive in March next year.
Clown is an art form which has existed for thousands of years, and undergone a revolution in recent times, as it made the leap back from circus into theatre, giving birth to 'new clown' and physical theatre. This course takes a broad view of clown, which allows students room to develop their own unique style.
You can check out one of the exercises to be used in this workshop, Play with Objects on the Angels can Fly Blog, at: www.alanclay.com.au/blog.html I have just been revising the exercises, following feedback from MotionFest, and will be posting more exercises on the blog in the coming weeks.
A $250AUD deposit confirms your place, and there is an earlybird special if you pay the balance by mid January. More info at: http://www.artmedia.com.au/Clown.htm
Angels can Fly
In May I will launch my new book, 'Angels can Fly, a Modern Clown User Guide'. On the new site you can sign up to get a free eBook copy, or check out some of the anecdotes, or the blog postings on the book. http://www.alanclay.com.
I presented some new Angels can Fly material to a couple of panels of clowns at MotionFest, including some of the best in the business, and received some valuable feedback, and some commitments to put anecdotes in the book.
Some 15 clowns - including teachers from DellArte , San Francisco Clown Conservatorium , Ringling Clown school, and Fantastic Space in Vancouver, plus many well known clowns from Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand - are now putting anecdotes in the book, and it is still possible to put your story in this book on Modern Clown, simply e-mail me at: mailto:anecdote@artmedia.com.au
Feature: Red Spoon Clown Intensive 2005, Brisbane, Australia
An opportunity to discover the incredible and tumultuous world of the clown! Brisbane based company Red Spoon is offering a two week clown training intensive from 10 to 21, January 2005 at the Metro Arts, Brisbane. The course is aimed at the Theatre Clown with a focus on developing the character and fantastic reality of the clown as opposed to learning tricks, magic etc. You will be challenged to find the truth that is at the cornerstone of your clown, (re)discover your imagination and refine your understanding of stage presence. The tutors are highly experienced performers and trainers - national and international. Andrew Cory is the founder of Red Spoon and will lead the core clown training whilst Scott Witt will train participants each day in movement and Slapstick (including props). Slapstick training will promote the virtues of precision, complicity and focus. Andrew has trained in clown, mask, mime and regular acting in Australia, Europe and USA and is currently a movement tutor for the Acting Dept at the Queensland University of Technology. Scott is an associate director at the Queensland Theatre Company and is President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc.
The course runs from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. The clown will be unleashed through movement exercises, improvisation, observation and above all a sense of joy and play. You will learn critical devising skills. We will commence a thorough investigation into clown spirit, clown character and clown relationships - chaos, panic and spontaneity will be our constant friends. Yet fear not for we shall fight adversity with absurdity!!!! Cost is $490, for further enquiries contact Andrew on (Aust) 0401 246 048 or mailto:andrew@redspoon.com.au
Feature - The Clown Inside, Summer Retreats with Lisa Brickell
Weekend: 3-5 December 04, & One Week : 8-12 January 05 Aio Wira Centre, Bethels Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
The clown lives in the moment. The world is a surprise. Nothing is taken for granted and everything is possible. Everyone has a clown inside. The clown is often suppressed as we 'grow up' and become 'mature'. This course will liberate this being. Participants will experience enhanced spontaneity and vitality on stage as well as in their everyday lives. This 5 day celebration of comic uniqueness is a great way to explore the art of clowning while having a fun relaxing holiday at the beautiful Aio Wira retreat centre in the Waitakere Ranges, near Bethells Beach on the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand.
Clown Masterclass , January 15-19 2005
This workshop is for those with previous clowning experience. It has been developed for those who want to take their clowning to the next level and will be co-facilitated by Zack McCracken who also trained at the LeCoq Physical Theatre School in Paris and has more than 15 years physical theatre and clowning experience in the Uk and Europe. A fantastic opportunity to hone your skills and have some serious fun.
Facilitator: Lisa Brickell ( BA, Dip Drama, DipPhys Theatre - Le Coq, Paris ) has taught and performed extensively throughout NZ, Asia and Europe. Weekend $295, One week $550. Includes accommodation, meals, tuition and full use of the center's facilities including spa and sauna.
Enrolments: Phone Aio Wira Centre on (00 64 9) 810 9396 or e-mail Lisa Brickell: mailto:lisabrickell@paradise.net.nz
Special Feature: MotionFest, the Finale - Report by Alan Clay
My view of the MotionFest was coloured by taking two hours to get out of New York City, in a car with Martin Ewen and Robert Nelson, the Butterfly Man, after visiting Master Lee, on our way to Motionfest in Baltimore, with Robert expounding on the historic nature of the occasion.
We arrived in Baltimore at two in the morning, and I had time for 4 hours sleep, and a yoga practice, before diving into the the four days of morning and afternoon classes, with evening
performance sessions.
Over 100 performers at all levels of their career's attended MotionFest in Baltimore earlier this month. Many said it was the best of the 7 festivals held to date, and even though it was billed as the last in the series, there were rumors of something, sometime, to follow on from this.
The public show on Saturday, which played to a sold out theatre, demonstrated the range and caliber of the teachers present. I kicked the event off with an experimental and slightly provocative number on the seven clown commandments, as decreed by the World Clown Association, which seemed to go down well.
And I was followed by a range of clown and physical theatre numbers from Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley, from the New York Goofs , a classic clown number from Steve Smith, a past Ringling Clown School Director, mime from Karen Hurll Montanaro who performed one of the much loved numbers from her late husband Tony Montanaro, and a couple of her own pieces, and this was complimented by an equally classic Commedia piece from Geoff Hoyle, and finished with some wonderful new clown numbers from festival organizer, Michael Rosman .
The organisation of the event by Michael, Todd, and Phill was impeccable, and I was overwhelmed by the thanks and hugs from students after the classes. Kirk Marsh stole the show in the critic sessions with a new clown-dance piece which took a standing ovation, and Drew the Dramatic Fool took the award for having attended all seven MotionFests, and taught at two.
The icing on the cake for me was the sauna on the ground floor of the hotel and conference centre, and I had one every day. Michael told me on the last day that he loves saunas, but in all the MotionFests that he has run at the Best Western Hotel, he didn't even know there was a sauna there... Go figure.
Networking
"The Lucky 13th Annual New Zealand Juggling Festival, 17-20 March 2004, Paekakariki Holiday Park ( near Wellington ). See our website for more information, and watch out for our Feature in next month's issue of this newsletter." Kind regards, Leila. Find a link to the NZ Juggling Festival website under Festivals at www.artmedia.com.au/links.htm
"Hi Alan, Thanks for this news worthy letter. An exciting opportunity exists within Fling Physical Theatre, an emerging, dynamic youth dance company, based on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, for a choreographer/teacher. A six month placement contract is being offered with a part time wage of approx Aus$100 a week (20 hrs). Applicants will be expected to have a degree or equivalent in contemporary dance with additional skills in choreography and physical theatre, gymnastics or classical ballet an advantage. An enthusiastic self motivated person will be working with the Artistic Director to assist in dance programs and performances. Applications are due by December 10th." Cheers, Lee Pemberton. mailto:fling@sear.org.au
"Applications are now available for the 2005 San Francisco Fringe Festival. Applications to perform in the 14th annual San Francisco Fringe Festival are being accepted online only through January 11, 2005. The SF Fringe is a non-juried festival open to all artists. Performers, in all categories, local, national and international, will be selected at a lottery on January 26, 2005 at EXIT Theatre. This year applications will only be accepted online. Complete information and the online application are available on our web site. The SF Fringe, which runs September 7 to 18, 2005, is the largest grass-roots theater festival in the Bay Area. Last year we presented 250 performances by 44 groups over 12 days." See you at the Fringe, Christina. Find a link to the San Francisco Fringe under Festivals at www.artmedia.com.au/links.htm
"Circelation is a professional development programme for circus artists and performers and circus directors looking to develop and improve their skills and knowledge in the creation of new and innovative collaborative work. The second set of laboratories in our three year programme will take place in Leeds, England, in April 2005. There are four weekend courses and four week-long courses for all artists working in the realm of contemporary circus theatre/performance. Tutors for the 2005 performers programme will include a range of established artists that have either co-founded or worked with Archaos, Collectif AOC, DV8, Forced Entertainments, Improbable, and Legs On The Wall. The program will consist of: two week-long workshops for circus directors, two week-long workshops for circus performers, and four weekend workshops for performers. Following feedback from 2004, in 2005 we are introducing evening Soiries." Chenine Bhathena, Producer. Find a link to Circelation under Training at www.artmedia.com.au/links.htm
"The 18th International Festival of Circus Arts, La Piste aux Espoirs, will take place in Tournai, Belgium, from the 10th to 13th March 2005. The main aim of the festival is to support young amateur or professional circus artists, and part of the festival there will be a competition which is open to young non-professional artists or companies working in the disciplines of: acrobatics, clown, balance, juggling or magic. The duration of the act may not exceed 8 minutes. Selected acts will be presented twice between Friday March 11th and Monday March 13th. The competition offers 3,300 Euro of prizes, and participants will be provided with accommodation
and assistance with travel costs. Applications must be received by the 5th January 2005." Sincerely, Fravcois Guilbert, Director. mailto:piste@maisonculturetournai.com
"How To Be A Stupid, or The Way of the Clown, a clowning masterclass with Angela de Castro. 29th Nov. to 10th Dec, Berlin, Germany. The workshop is for beginners and those more experienced who need refreshing, this course will take you on a profoundly challenging journey, with laughs and play along the way. This is a practical clowning and performance craft workshop using a variety of techniques to reach and maintain the state of clowning. The aim is to encourage the participants to discover their own clown style. This workshop is demanding, intense, inspiring and emotional, with lots to discover for beginners in clowning and reassurance for those who are already clowning. It will build trust, confidence and a common vocabulary among the participants. The Course will take place in Studio Eightninths, Berlin. Angela de Castro is one of the worlds most loved and respected women clowns. Since moving to England from her native Brazil 18 years ago, de Castro has performed, taught, directed and toured with groundbreaking groups of modern circus and theatre, such as: Mummerandada, Ra Ra Zoo, and the Right Size. She is well known for her clown Rough, the Green Clown, in the award winning Slavas Snowshow, and has extensively toured her own shows. De Castro is founder and director of The Why Not Institute in London." Find a link to the Why Not Institute under Training at www.artmedia.com.au/links.htm Berlin class e-mail Rosee Riggs mailto:info@roseeriggs.de
Subscriptions
If you have received this issue of the Artmedia physical theatre newsletter from a friend, and you wish to subscribe, please go to http://www.artmedia.com.au and enter your e-mail address
in the newsletter subscription box.
Author: Artmedia 2004
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