Physical Theatre Intensives with Adam Lazarus
And special guest instructors: TBA

April 19 - May 2, 2010

These workshops are designed for both non-performers as well as professional and pre-professional actors, dancers, writers, critical thinkers and physical performers to increase their performance palette. Working in the tradition of French Master Teachers Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq, the forefathers of physical theatre, this course challenges students to take risks, hone their improvisational skills and push through performance inhibitions to find the pleasure of being present, space, rhythm, fixed point, complicity, focus, flop and play. Why is this pleasure so important? It is with the performer's pleasure to move, to sing, to cry, to dance, to speak, that the audience is drawn in and the performer's beauty is pushed out.

I. introduction to bouffon
Monday April 19 to Friday April 23: 10am – 2pm

An introductory class. Games and exercises are used to discover students’ pleasure to mock social hypocrisies while simultaneously making audiences love you. Historically and culturally, the Bouffon traveled in groups or gangs. They stuck together and sat on the outside, in their ghettos, their swamps, looking in at the mainstream world. They watched human hypocrisies and laughed. Every now and then, they came back to do a play for the hypocrites. No subject, person or institution was spared their mockery.

Bouffon techniques are extremely useful for performers in all disciplines, as well as for writers, public speakers, teachers and critical thinkers. Through Jeu, students will re-discover their mental and physical agility, sensitivity, stillness and complicity in a group. The Bouffon and Character allows the actor to be a big person in a small body and to refine their awareness of the world around them. Students are encouraged to embrace this awareness and the power of being seen and listened to. 

II. building a performance
Monday April 26 to Friday April 30: 10am – 2pm

Here students should come to class with an idea of something they are wanting to work on and perform. Whether interested in bouffon, clown or character, the students’ focus of the week is on writing, directing and performing. This is a deeper exploration into the world of physical performance that will culminate in an informal public performance at the end of the workshop.

Completion of week 1 or 2, or permission from the instructor is required for this class.

Saturday May 1 & Sunday May 2 
Class showings
PWYC with money going back to the students.

Fees:
$315 for 20 hours of instruction over 1 week ($250 for Union or previous students)
$600 for 40 hours of instruction over 2 weeks ($480 for Union or previous students)

Payment plans available, auditing options available
Required deposit of $100 to hold a place, refundable up to one week before the workshop.
Please make cheques or money orders payable to:

Adam Lazarus
551 Concord Ave. #1
Toronto, ON, M4R 2R2

Pre-registration & payment is required, space is limited:

(416)821-3833 OR  thebouffon(at)rogers.com