Commedia Masterclass with Susan Bertoia
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Axis Theatre Company is back with an in-person, professional training workshop coming this summer 2022. We seek out the best of the best in puppetry, mask making and mask training instructors - check out what’s coming up!
COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE is the lively form of professional Italian mask theatre that flourished in 15th century Europe and has influenced sitcoms, comedy sketch shows, cartoons, and Modern-day clowns. Commedia dell’arte is an actor’s theatre. Are you ready to explore, play and master aspects of Commedia? And then perform it in front of other humans? This workshop will offer it all!
Susan Bertoia is teaching this interactive masterclass which will take participants on a journey through scenarios, physical lazzo, and the stock characters (Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Columbina, Pantalone, Dottore. Il Capitano, and the Young Lovers) using improvisation, movement, and ensemble play. The two weeks will culminate in an imaginative, live, outdoor performance on Granville Island for those brave enough to accept. Traditionally Commedia troupes relied on stereotypical characters, masks, broad gestures, and clowning to play to large, diverse crowds; this will be the starting point for exploration.
Intrigued? There’s more…
CREATIVE PROCESS:
July 5th - 9th & July 11th - 15th, 2022 (2 weeks) 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (rehearsal space available until 4:00 PM)
Performances July 16th or 17th (TBD)
Part 1 - The Physical Practice; The Mask Techniques and Skills
Part 2 - The Commedia Lecture; The Masked Characters; The Lazzi
Part 3 - The Improvised Playing; The Devising; The Scenario
Part 4 - The Rehearsal and Performance
COSTS:
Early Bird rate (before midnight February 28, 2022 - EXTENDED to Sunday, March 5 till midnight) $675 + GST
Regular rate $775 + GST
Equity Members $620 + GST (proof of membership required)
Audit the workshop $390 + GST
The Bill Millerd Artist Fund is also available to artists in need of funding. The deadline to apply is March 1st, 2022. More information here: https://artsclub.com/artistic-programs/bill-millerd-artist-fund
A non-refundable deposit of $75 is required to reserve your spot!
We will contact you when we receive your registration.
Participants Requirements: This is a masterclass so having some background in physical theatre, movement, dance, circus arts or mask work will elevate your experience. Suitable for performers, theatre designers (props, costume, set, lights, sound); choreographers; drama specialists – basically anyone who has a desire to move, to play, and to have fun with like-minded creatives!
Or maybe your thing is to engage in lively discussions on the cultural significance, historical, artistic, and social impact Commedia and mask have on contemporary theatre. There will be that too!
Masks (created by the late, great Gina Bastone), a small costume/prop budget, and rehearsal space provided for the duration of the masterclass.
Susan Bertoia
Masterclass Instructor
Susan Bertoia is a professional theatre artist, performer, director, divisor, writer, passionate drama teacher and mom to three amazing humans. Susan’s invigorating artistic style with specialization in physical theatre and mask performance make her a well sought-out teaching artist and performer throughout Canada. Her work explores transposing the poetry of life into comedic and dramatic moments for the stage.
She is Adjunct Professor at UBC teaching acting and mask performance. She conducts numerous creative initiatives in schools. She has facilitated many professional development workshops for teachers with the Association of BC Drama Teachers (ABCDE) who recently awarded her the ‘Excellence in Drama Education’, recognizing her years of dedication and innovative work with youth. Last summer she wrangled, molded, wrote, and directed Juggle Me Not, a commedia extravaganza that performed in outdoor Vancouver venues. She holds a BFA in Theatre Acting from UBC and has trained abroad at schools that specialize in Italian mask theatre (Il Piccolo Teatro di Milan and Donato Sartori International Mask Workshop). She has trained in physical, devised theatre with One Yellow Rabbit; Jeremy James and the UK’s Frantic Assembly.
To know more about the force that is Susan Bertoia visit: www.susanbertoia.ca
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