Workshop: Clown Weekend Intensive

Workshop: Clown Weekend Intensive with Alice Nelson

More than just red noses!

SYNOPSIS: There is no fourth wall for a clown. Playing in the present is the ultimate challenge. The exercises and creation process prepares students to take risks. They must live the play that is happening, while trusting their own sense of humor.

Students will explore and appreciate the clown realm through the use of games (understanding play), improvisation and ensemble creation. In the role of provocateur, I act as side-coach, encouraging students in discovering their own unique clown entity. Students learn the history of clown and the categories within the clown style (red nose, character, white-face). Students receive training in physical comedy, building comic routines, and audience interaction. New solo, duo work and group work will be created.

Clown is a style that serves actors/creators it teaches humility, vulnerability, risk taking, trust and generosity. These traits are not only practiced within the ensemble, but with the audience. In clown, the relationship with the audience is paramount, as is the ability to abandon to the play.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Alice Nelson is a Calgary-based Actor, Playwright, Director, Theatre Educator, Producer, Puppeteer, Improvisor, Mask Maker and Clown. She holds an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from Dell’Arte Physical Theatre School in California. Alice has taught at Mount Royal University, Red Deer College, Rosebud School of the Arts, Artstrek Theatre Program and Epcor Center for the Performing Arts. She has worked with various Alberta theatres, including: Green Fools Theatre, Clunk Puppet Lab, Lunchbox Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, Quest Theatre, Urban Curvz, Trickster Theatre and WP Puppet Theatre. Alice has written and toured solo shows (Elephant, Local Celebrity, Swashbucklers, Ms.Sugarcoat) and co-created productions regarding social and political issues (Raunch, Keep Sweet). Her company, Organized Crime Productions, aims to produce works, which tells the stories of the underdogs, and bear witness to the world we know. Alice is a company member with the renown Loose Moose Theatre and regularly directs for their kid’s season. As well, she is a clown with the international humanitarian organization, Clowns Without Borders, and has attended four expeditions to South Africa, touring clown shows to schools, communities and orphanages. Her passion is supporting and raising awareness of CWB’s amazing work!

DATE: Saturday May 16 & Sunday May 17, 12:00 - 4:00 COST: $50 (registration online or by phone)

Register a group of 5 or more, and attend for less! Or, register for 3 workshops and get the 3rd one for 50% off (Call Morpheus Theatre to redeem).

WHERE: Morpheus Rehearsal Centre (3512 5 Avenue NW, Lower Level)

Refreshments served from 11:30 to 12:00pm.

This valuable workshop is presented at this low price in the spirit of community theatre.