Annual Physical Theatre Workshops with Adam Lazarus

Physical Theatre Intensives with Adam Lazarus

And special guest instructors: TBA

November 8 to 30, 2008

I. introduction to character
Sunday Nov. 8 (12pm-5pm) Monday Nov. 9 to Friday Nov. 14 – 10am – 2pm (no class Tuesday)

The Characters workshop is a lesson in disguise. Over the course of the 3 days, students will use text, play in costumes and improvise in order to find and develop an original character worth watching or writing about. The character, unlike the clown or bouffon, has no specific purpose, except to put into a play or film. It is a full bodied mask for the actor, and in this mask students find their unique form of play, making their character come to life.

II. introduction to bouffon
Sunday Nov. 15 (12pm-5pm) Monday Nov. 16 to Friday Nov. 20 – 10am – 2pm (no class Tuesday)

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 and Character creation 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.

III. building a performance
Sunday Nov. 22 (12pm-5pm) Monday Nov. 23 to Friday Nov. 27 – 10am – 2pm (no class Tuesday)


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 one or two, or permission from the instructor is required for this class.

Saturday Nov. 28 & Sunday Nov. 29
Class showings
PWYC with money going back to the students.

Fees:
$325 for 20 hours of instruction over 1 week ($260 for Union or previous students)
$620 for 40 hours of instruction over 2 weeks ($495 for Union or previous students)
$900 for 60 hours of instruction over 3 weeks ($720 for Union or previous students)

Payment plans 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


For more info or to reserve a spot:
visit: www.quiptake.com
email: adlazarus@rogers.com
call: 416-821-3833

Adam Lazarus is a graduate and former apprentice of Master Teacher Philippe Gaulier’s school in Paris, France. He is a sessional instructor at The National Theatre School of Canada and the University of Toronto. He is a regular facilitator of workshops including recent consultations for Necessary Angel, Soulpepper, The Young Centre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Buddies in Bad Times, DanceMakers, CanStage, Tapestry New Opera Works, and Volcano Theatre. Notable directing credits include Rachelle Elie’s Joe: The Perfect Man; Jesse Buck's Bubkus; Melissa D'Agostino's Lupe: Undone, Precious Chong’s Zdenka Now! and Misha Shulman's Apricots. He sits on the board of Crow’s Theatre and is a co-founder and artistic-producer of the Toronto Festival of Clowns.