Giovanni Fusetti
| Nothing exists that has not first been imagined.Michael Meade |
THE RED NOSE: the actor in search of the clown
7 June, 2011 → 12 June, 2011 - Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Clown is about comic poetry: funny and touching, essential and rigorous.
It's a dive into the mystery of laughter.
Deeply rooted in movement based theatre, this workshop proposes an introduction to Clown, considered a specific theatre style. The pedagogy focuses in particular on the analysis of the physical and emotional world of each actor, as revealed by her or his natural body. This will lead to the discovery of a unique clown, with a specific body, tempo, voice, costume, attitudes, emotions, and poetic world.
The journey begins with the exploration and analysis of the body within the theatrical space. In terms of movement, no body is neutral; every body carries profoundly expressive themes, embodied in everyday movement. There is a web of "non-neutral attitudes" and physical and emotional “background noises" within each person’s movement and physical presence. If an actor is observed with an eye to movement, using the reference point of the Neutral State, this web appears like painting/markings on a white sheet. They are “dramatic” in the etymological sense: they contain a drama – an action.
The use of the smallest mask in the world: the Red Nose, and the amplification and articulation of these very personal themes allow the actor to enter the Clown state. The clown is not a character – it’s first a state of playing where everyone has access to the key question: what is so funny about myself?
To discover one’s own clown is to reveal one’s own unique comic persona and turn it into a universal comic form.
For a performer, there is something fundamental in the discovery of her or his personal Clown: it's raw, pure, personal, unique, challenging, empowering, revealing, and extremely rewarding... It’s the exquisite pleasure of touching the empty space of complete comedy.
As a theatre style, Clown has a unique poetic potential because it allows the performer to explore and play with the naiveté and the vulnerability of the child, and with the rigor and the technique of the adult, thus revealing the poetry of the ridiculous, and a unique personal poetic power.
There are as many clowns, as there are human beings.
There is one way to stand, and infinite ways to fall.
Intelligence is limited. Stupidity is infinite.
Giovanni Fusetti
THE PROGRAM
THE CLOWN “STATE”
- Play, action/reaction and fun
- The Red Nose as a mask: amplification and articulation of movement
- The clown as a state of being on stage
- The empty space
- Emotional awareness and contact with the emotional body of the actor
- Contact with the audience
- Playing with space and with objects
THE PLAY (le jeu)
- The relationship among clowns: hierarchy, leaders and servants, levels of stupidity
- The Circus Clown Archetypes: Augustus, White Clown, Monsieur Loyal
- The Clown's Voice
- Clown numbers and le bide (fiasco)
- The Rhythmical space: entrance, crescendo, development of themes
- The actor’s skills in the service of the clown
CLASSES
The workshop will start on Tuesday June 7th and will end on Sunday June 12th
Each day includes 6 hours of Master Classes.
Classes take place each day from 10am to 1 and from 2 to 5.
Master Classes include:
Movement Analysis and Movement Technique
Improvisation
Voice
ADMISSION
This workshop is primarily addressed to theatre practitioners who are interested in experiencing the core elements of Giovanni' Fusetti's work and the Pedagogy of the
Scuola Internazionale di Creazione Teatrale HELIKOS
Priority will be given to students who have formally applied for three-year training, and who wish to enroll in the First Year starting in Florence in October 2011.
TUITION
Earlybird: 450 Aus$ (if full payment is sent by April 15th)
Full Tuition: 550 Aus$
A reduction in the tuition is offered to participants who enroll for both workshops taugh by Giovanni Fusetti in Melbourne
THE JOURNEY OF MASKS + THE RED NOSE:
Earlybird : AUS$ 850 (if full payment is sent by April 15th)
Full: AUS$ 950
Please note that tuition does not include accommodation and that participants will be responsible for organizing their staying in Melbourne. Upon request, the organization will provide a list of useful inofrmation and how to organize your staying in Melbourne.
To apply for the workshop, please email a CV and a letter of motivation
to SALLY DAVIS buttercupbonanza @ gmail.com
For any practical information please contact Sally
Once the application is accepted, spots in the class will be given in the order the application was received.
The number of students is limited to 14.
To confirm the enrollment, a deposit of AUS$200.00 is due.
Please note: the deposit is non-refundable.
If you are applying for the Helikos school, please contact Giovanni Fusetti directly.
For any questions regarding the content of the workshop please contact:
Language
The workshop will be taught in English. A basic understanding is required.
Location
The workshop will happen in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The venue is a studio named "Dorm TWO" at the ABBOTSFORD CONVENT.
Abbotsford Convent Foundation
1 St Heliers Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067
You can visit their website http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/visitor-information
for information on how to reach it.