“This workshop will be an exploration of how to integrate larval mask technique within long-form improvisation and scripted work.”
Playfulness, Articulation and Naivety of the mask
Come and play in the larval mask world, a guided workshop for anyone interested in the poetic space these characters inhabit.
This workshop is designed for performers who may not intend to create a larval mask show but are interested in applying its techniques and principles to their craft. Larval masks, derived from Basel carnival traditions, were adopted by Jacques Lecoq for actor training. They are simplified, unpainted masks used to explore physical and emotional expression of the body and amplification of gesture before words.
In this workshop participants will be guided through simple breath, movement and play work to bring this subtle communication through gesture to life.
Larval masks create a space of sensitivity and naivety. Through breath, amplification of movement they introduce people to a world where characters come to life at the beginning of expression.
We will learn techniques of playing these masks to bring unique worlds into the spectator’s imaginations. These tragic/comic masks have an incredible power and magic for story telling and opening up poetic spaces and ecploring the simple. Clarify action and reaction. If you’re interested in text based scripts or long form improvisation, this kind of work can support you to simplify gesture highten listening and build a theme.
Who is it for?
For improvisers wanting to discover and heighten “the game” of the scene. Use a larval mask to keep it simple and “hone the skills of listening and catching a theme”
For actors wanting to build a world without text, but chock-full of breath, gesture and emotion. Find the “rising action” in the body, not on the page.
For humans who are curious and ready to play.
Performers, artists, physical theatre and movement practitioners. It is open to people with a little or a lot of theatre experience.
Adults of all abilities are welcome.
- Simplification of Gesture: Using the mask to strip away extraneous movement and focus on core physical expression and creating characters.
- Building the Theme/Game: Developing a clear and cohesive physical narrative or “game” of the scene with action and reaction
- Bridging Techniques: Creating a clear link between mask work and its application in unmasked, dialogue-driven scenes, both improvised and scripted. This addresses the question: “How does this help my regular practice?”
This workshop is for performers, artists, physical theatre /movement practitioners and is open to adults of all abilities who are interested in play and theatre, providing the opportunity to move and explore embodied forms and narratives with larval masks.
The Larval masks used in this workshop have been handcrafted.
FacilitatorS
Beth Twentyman
Mask-maker & co teacher
Beth is a mask maker, teacher and performance artist who is from Melbourne, Australia. She has a bachelor’s degree in Performance Studies, Masters in Speech Pathology and has studied theatre creation at Helikos International Theatre school in Italy in 2013 and 2016.
Most recently she completed 3 months pedagogical training to hone her skills in facilitating workshops and theatre classes.
tara demmy
co teacher
Tara Demmy is a historian, instructor, and clown originally from Philadelphia. She studied movement-based theatre at Helikos International School of Theatre Creation under the direction of Giovanni Fusetti. Tara has taught at improv training centers, theatre companies, and universities in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Durango, Colorado. A big nerd, Tara has a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Maryland. www.tarademmy.com
Produced by Melbourne Physical Theatre School
When?
Saturday 21st of March 9:30am – 5:00pm
Sunday 22nd of March 9:30am – 5:00pm
**It is compulsory to attend the full 2 days as this is a strict learning continuum aka one class leads into the next. Students will not be allowed to arrive late or leave early.
Where?
Melbourne
Donkey Wheelhouse, 673 Bourke St, Melbourne CBD, VIC, 3000
Participants
This workshop is for performers, artists, physical theatre /movement practitioners. Places are limited to 20 chosen from an application list.
Minimum participants: 8
Maximum participants: 20
**Minimum number of participants must be enrolled by March 9th for the workshop to go ahead. Applications will be accepted up until 1 day prior to the commencement of the workshop
To apply, please book online via TryBooking.
What to bring?
Please bring black / dark clothes comfortable to move in. Black neutral clothing is ideal, when creating characters with the masks so it is best for no bright colours or big designs to move in for some light warm up exercises. Runners, theatre shoes are also recommended.
prices
Super Early Bird Price (Full payment due by Feb 21st): $250.00
Normal Price: $300.00
Late Bird Price (If paid after March14th): $375.00
**All fees contain a non-refundable deposit of $100.00.
For information about this event, please contact the “Event Organiser/Producer – Kimberley Twiner”.
e: ktwiner@gmail.com
p: 0468664466
Produced by Melbourne Physical Theatre School
MPTS is run by Kimberley Twiner is a training space dedicated to the Lecoq and Fusetti pedagogy of Mask, Mime and Movement Theatre. MPTS produces workshops by local, national and international teachers.
Melbourne Masks & Theatre 