CLOWN TURN CREATION
CLOWN TURN CREATION
Intermediate and Advanced Fools Intensive
This workshop will be live and in-person! In this workshop, Frank will guide you step-by-step through his complete mask making process, which he has developed and tested over many years. Using one of Frank’s plaster molds, paper and glue, participants will make a full expressive mask. This will happen, in person, over three group classes and Frank will walk you through each step of the process. Chris McGregor, Artistic Director of Axis Theatre, will be with him making a mask at the same time, so you will be able to watch and participate, with feedback, over each step of the process.
Workshop Description:
In this fun and challenging intensive, participants will develop their clown skills and create clown turns, culminating in cabaret-style public performances on Granville Island showcasing their work.
What is a clown turn? Clown turns are devised, repeatable comedic performance pieces using clowning, physical comedy and improvisation. ‘Turns’ appear in many performance genres including variety shows, circuses, cabarets, plays, and full-length clown shows - to name a few. Clown skills are widely transferable and are integral to round out any actor’s tool belt.
Participants will learn about clown logic, improvisation, entrances/exits, how to build comedy, and when to let the gag go. They will build upon their pre-existing clown skills - including finding complicité, using rhythm, embracing the flop, and finding joy - to devise, write, and hone a short clown turn. Each day, participants will develop and test new material to discover what will fly or flop, with the most joyous and ridiculous pieces selected to be featured in the cabaret. The instructor/director, Chloe Payne, will offer feedback and direction, aiding each individual in their development process.
Instructor: Chloe Payne
Chloe Payne is an actor, comedienne, theatre creator, and arts educator. As a graduate of the prestigious physical theatre school École Philippe Gaulier, she uses physical comedy, improvisation, and devising along with text-based creation styles to produce theatre that is funny, relevant, and poignant. She has won multiple grants and awards, including the Mark Purvis bursary for emerging physical theatre artists. She teaches physical theatre and clown for various institutions, including the Vancouver Film School, Axis Theatre, Tightrope Impro Theatre, Rumble Theatre, The University of Toronto, Havergal College, The Storefront Theatre, The County of Simcoe, and Sweet Action Theatre Company. www.chloealicepayne.com
