HELIKOS | THE RED NOSE

THE RED NOSE

16 Ottobre, 2017 → 20 Ottobre, 2017 - MELBOURNE-Australia

IN SEARCH OF

THE SUBLIME STUPIDITY

OF THEATRE CLOWN

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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 language. 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 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 theatrical territory, 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

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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 CLOWN 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 Monday October 16th and will end on Friday June 20th
Each day includes 6 hours of Master Classes.
Classes take place each day from 9:30am to 1:00 and from 2:00to 5:30 pm.

Master Classes include:
Movement Analysis and Movement Technique
Improvisation
Voice

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ENROLLMENT

Early Bird registration: AUS$ 680, if full payment is sent by August 16th, 2017.

Full Price: AUS$ 750

To apply to the workshop please send a brief letter of motivation by e-mail, sharing something about why you wish to attend this training. Once the application is accepted, applicants can confirm their enrollment by sending a AUS$ 200 non-refundable deposit.

Once accepted, places will be given in order of arrival.

Please note that the number of participants is limited to 14.

NOTE on August 1st: the workshop is fully booked and a waiting list has been set up

Please note that the workshop is a learning continuum, so it is not possible to attend the class only in parts, or to miss any session of the work.

For further information about the content of the workshop, please contact Giovanni Fusetti

For applications, enrolment and practical enquiries please contact

KIMBERLEY TWINER

ktwiner @ gmail.com

Tel: 04 68664466

Language

The workshop will be taught in English. A basic understanding is required.

Location

DANCEHOUSE

150 Princes Street, North Carlton, VIC 3054, AUSTRALIA

Directions: http://www.dancehouse.com.au/about/

PHOTO CREDITS

Picture n.1 by Stefano Borghi. Clown Performance at Helikos School, 2013

Picture n.2: Boulder Advanced Workshop 2014

Picture n.3: Giovanni Fusetti teaching at Helikos School, 2013.