Workshop: Mayhem and Mask

As performers, we are responsible for many tasks. First, we must tell a story, clearly and without bias; we agree to be players in a fated game. Second, we must fully inhabit a reality completely unlike our own and live in that moment onstage, we must be honest in the fated game. Third, we must use our minds and bodies in service of a vicious game for the audience's enjoyment... in short, we exist to serve them. Physical comedy is simply dynamic, ferocious play for the audience's sake. Masks heighten the element of "character" in the dynamic play with the audience. Masks also need a larger 'size' of performance from the actor. What results from this concoction of elements, adding physical comedy and mask to traditional actor responsibilities, is what the Renaissance age first called "the professional actor": performers with a sense of complicity with the audience as well as their fellow players, articulate bodies that can say much more than words alone, and intentionally crafted character realities that are instantly recognizable and relative to the watcher.

Over the course of 6 hours, we will train together in the realm of physical theatre, in the spirit of training the professional actor of the Renaissance. Our activities will include techniques and style work from the territories of clown, buffoon, mask performance and Commedia Dell'Arte. Largely ensemble-based, the classes will emphasize movement and devising. There will be extensive movement and shape making, and some preparatory body conditioning in warm up. Please come in neutral colored clothes, plain (not a lot of prints or images to distract the eye) comfortable tee shirts, etc, pants that are easy to move in and that give. No jeans please. We will probably work barefooted. In this way, we will sensitize our bodies to better hear and respond to our partners, revealing the comic play between us when there is no script.

Session 1 will begin at 9 a.m. and we will work until 12 p.m., when we will break for lunch and reflection- group lunch is encouraged! Session 2 will pick up at 2 p.m. and continue work done in Session 1 so it is ideal for attendees to come to both workshops. However, if this is not possible, students can attend either one of the workshops; they will "catch up" by watching their classmates. We will conclude the workshop at 5pm.

This workshop is free of charge for current members of The Colonial Players, Inc. Non-members may join us for the workshop for a fee of $15.00 which will include membership for the 2011-2012 membership year.