WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
* Intro to Clown
* Clown Rituals: The Plan & The Play
* Bouffon 1
* Bouffon 2
* The Shape of Fun
* Movement for Comedians, Clowns & Improvisers
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INTRO TO CLOWN
Clowns wear their thoughts and feelings on the outside of their skin. Find your unique ridiculousness, presence and stupidity in this introductory workshop.
CLOWN RITUALS: THE PLAN & THE PLAY
CLOWN RITUALS: THE PLAN & THE PLAY
Ready to take your clowning to the next level? Learn the process used to devise completely new 1-hour shows every month.
Before Eric Davis was on the creation of 2 Cirque du Soleil shows, and Red Bastard, He was part of a company of clowns in New York. During this formative time, They developed a unique devising method. This method not only RAPIDLY evolved the comic relationships of their clowns, but also generated ridiculous solos, duos and group pieces.
Aspiring and seasoned clowns will benefit from this devising process which utilizes
Mindfulness
Devising Simple Plans
Ritual loops &
Ambushes
BOUFFON 1
Unleash your inner Bouffon in an explosion of fun that turns life’s Sh!t into comedy gold!
How is Bouffon different than Clown? The World laughs at the Clown, but the Bouffon laughs at the World!
Imagine a wild-eyed pack of outsiders. These outsiders have ecstatic pleasure to mock anything and everything. Ridiculous, mischievous, confronting and poetic, these tricksters ride the line between comic fun and uncomfortable truth.
In this class, students will discover the attitude and spirit of the Bouffon through:
- Ensemble play & Complicity
- Choral work
- Finding the fun in becoming and mocking
- Navigating rich thematic territories.
- Discovering hot spots that make the audience say “ouch!"
Come join us. Fun, freedom and mischief await!
How is Bouffon different than Clown? The World laughs at the Clown, but the Bouffon laughs at the World!
Imagine a wild-eyed pack of outsiders. These outsiders have ecstatic pleasure to mock anything and everything. Ridiculous, mischievous, confronting and poetic, these tricksters ride the line between comic fun and uncomfortable truth.
In this class, students will discover the attitude and spirit of the Bouffon through:
- Ensemble play & Complicity
- Choral work
- Finding the fun in becoming and mocking
- Navigating rich thematic territories.
- Discovering hot spots that make the audience say “ouch!"
Come join us. Fun, freedom and mischief await!
BOUFFON 2
In Bouffon 1, you learned the attitudes and drives of Flocking Bouffon: Wild, indulgent, unpredictable mocking. A pleasure-led party where the “The Player” dominates the room.
But who’s that knocking at the door? “The Writer!”
In Bouffon 2, we build on previous experience by choosing specific themes to mock. As we play these themes, we are watched by our supportive, fellow creators. The devising process has begun as we ask….
How did we play?
What did we make?
Where does this piece want to go?
What are we missing?
What does the writer want to say through the bouffon?
How might we make it better?
But who’s that knocking at the door? “The Writer!”
In Bouffon 2, we build on previous experience by choosing specific themes to mock. As we play these themes, we are watched by our supportive, fellow creators. The devising process has begun as we ask….
How did we play?
What did we make?
Where does this piece want to go?
What are we missing?
What does the writer want to say through the bouffon?
How might we make it better?
THE SHAPE OF FUN: BODY, ARCHITECTURE & THEME
THE SHAPE OF FUN
What is the shape of fun? How do we use shape and rhythm to fascinate our audience? Charm them? Make them laugh? Disgust them?
Hunt for dynamic and fascination personas by changing your body’s architecture. Evoke provocative and ridiculous themes! What does it take to keep the mask of this new form alive in the space?
Students in this class will explore:
TECHNIQUE
RAPPORT
THEME
What is the shape of fun? How do we use shape and rhythm to fascinate our audience? Charm them? Make them laugh? Disgust them?
Hunt for dynamic and fascination personas by changing your body’s architecture. Evoke provocative and ridiculous themes! What does it take to keep the mask of this new form alive in the space?
Students in this class will explore:
TECHNIQUE
- Tension
- Fixed point
- Contrasting Dynamics of Space/ Weight/ Time
- Engaging rhythms.
- shapes that “pop”
RAPPORT
- Do you compel or repel the audience?
- How can you manipulate us?
THEME
- What themes does the shape evoke, or
- Starting from theme, what shapes can express that theme in a fertile way?
MOVEMENT FOR COMEDIANS, CLOWNS & IMPROVISERS
Critically acclaimed, award-winning Clown & Bouffon, Eric Davis leads you through a masterclass of movement to help you create dynamic comedy.
Rooted in Play, Lecoq Technique and Laban/ Bartenieff fundamentals, this class will
Get you laughing, sweating and give you greater awareness of your body as well as a theatrical language to articulate your comedy on stage.
Rooted in Play, Lecoq Technique and Laban/ Bartenieff fundamentals, this class will
Get you laughing, sweating and give you greater awareness of your body as well as a theatrical language to articulate your comedy on stage.