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Physical Comedy Intensive - Bouffon - Register Online

This intensive is great for Improvisers, Actors, Clowns, performance artists, pranksters, or people who love t be irreverent. This intensive consists of a full day of classes, requires no previous experience, and focuses on the world of Bouffon. Bouffon is the art of mockery and manipulation. In this class we'll explore reshaping our form into the grotesque and finding pleasure in mockery. Using exercises in satire, clown, and bafoonery, we'll created dynamic characters to challenge an audience. Space is limited.

Dates: June 2nd 2013
Time: 10-4pm
Cost: $60
Outerspace Loft - 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave - Register Online

Mime - Register Online

This full 8 week program is an introduction to the art form of Mime. Through a disciplined approach that includes floor and barre work, performance exercises, and classical technique, students ascend to a new level of physical awareness using the grammar of Mime. In this introduction to the techniques of Marcel Marceau, Etienne Decroux, and Stephen Niedzialkowski, students focus on physical characters, object work, and ensemble performance as they journey beyond words to share silent narrative with an audience. Space is limited. Register Online.

Dates: Mondays May 20 - July 8, 2013 (8 classes)
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: $160
The Athenaeum - 2936 North Southport Avenue - Register Online

Physical Comedy Workshop - The Art of the Idiot

The Physical Comedy Workshop series is great for Improvisers, Actors, Stand-Ups, Clowns, and public speakers alike. This 3-hour class requires no previous experience and focuses on being a wonderful and hilarious idiot. Much like the work of Steve Carell, Steve Martin or Chaplin and Keaton: The idiot is a flawless stage presence, getting a laugh whether something lands or not. All too often we see comic performers be self conscience and do the “I got nothin’” schtick. The idiot takes the stage with abandon and complete confidence. This class is a series of performance exercises in presence, play, and shameless creativity. We will work to discover and grow the joy in being ridiculous and the pleasure in being absurd. When you are in the grip of pleasure and freedom you are your most creative. We’ll learn to play with our fear, rather than allowing fear to inhibit our creativity. This workshop is a unique opportunity to not just learn principles of physical comedy, but to live through them, so that we may enter the stage with complete confidence. Space is limited.

Dates: TBD
Time: 7-10pm
Cost: $40
The Athenaeum - 2936 North Southport Avenue

Physical Comedy Workshop - Live Action Cartoon

The Physical Comedy Workshop series is great for Improvisers, Actors, Stand-Ups, Clowns, and public speakers alike. This 3-hour class requires no previous experience and focuses on physical storytelling and mind blowing object work. This workshop will get you out of your head and into your body. You'll learn techniques of Mime, Physical Comedy, and Slapstick to add to your performance vocabulary. You will learn to perform with musicality and precision. When performing Off the Clock, aka Cartoon Time, you can speed time up, slow it down and stop it. Learn how to transform your environment and have any object at your disposal. Use only your body to learn to bend space and create your own special effects. This type of performance is seen in the work of Rowan Atkinson, Molly Shannon, Steve Martin, Chaplin and many others. Register online to reserve your spot...

Dates: TBD
Time: 7-10pm
Cost: $40
The Athenaeum - 2936 North Southport Avenue

Physical Comedy Workshop - Slapstick

The Physical Comedy Workshop series is great for Improvisers, Actors, Stand-Ups, Clowns, and public speakers alike. This 3 hour class focuses on Slapstick Comedy. Don't fight dirty, fight funny. This workshop offers an environment to learn and develop skills in slapstick comedy and the creation of physical gags or "Schtick". Using slaps, kicks, rolls, trips, pokes, and the art of the pratfall, students will create hilarious situations of comic conflict. Students learn physical comedy elements and structure taken from the classic cinema as well as contemporary physical comedy and modern theatrical clown. This class will also explore status as a driving force behind physical comedy. Students will develop exquisite timing and the skillful execution required for the performance of slapstick comedy as well. Learn to be funny within your body. No Experience required. All ages and backgrounds welcome.

Dates: TBD
Time: 7-10pm
Cost: $40
The Athenaeum - 2936 North Southport Avenue

Clown and Physical Comedy

A Clown and physical theater workshop focusing on ensemble creation and play. Participants will learn to share a physical experience and develop an immediate relationship with an audience and partners. There will be a strong focus on increasing ones sense of play, the generation of new material and being physically precise yet blundering emotionally. Class will consist of exercises in mimetic techniques, clown improvisation and stage presence. After every class there will be additional time for play, exploration and improvisation.

Date: We are currently building a full physical comedy program. Stay tuned for details.