Workshops

“Jouez et Rejouez“

Clown School with Britt Small

Clown School builds on the fundamentals of clown work as taught by Richard Pochinko inspired by his mask and character creation. Classes include exercises that will focus on increasing play, spontaneity and complicity. In doing so, students will also have the opportunity to practice Turns and develop their raw performance power. Clowning is taught as a fundamental and essential tool for all kinds of performative expression.

Teacher Britt Small studied at LaMama’s Director’s Intensive in Italy and has trained in various physical theatre forms including Pochinko Clown with Michael Kennard, Viewpoints with Tina Landau, Anthropological Theater with Włodzimierz Staniewski, Action Theatre and Authentic Movement. She completed her MFA in Directing at the University of Victoria and has directed local and touring shows across Canada for the past 20 years. She is the artistic producer of Atomic Vaudeville and an independent rapper. Britt also works as a dramaturge and book editor and has taught acting, play building, movement, clown and improvisation for various organizations including the University of Victoria, University of Lethbridge, Raino Dance and the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

Upcoming Clown Schools

January 9-10-11
(Classic Clown School)

January 16-17-18
(Classic school with more in-depth creation practice: previous class or practice recommended)

Friday: 6pm – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday: 2pm – 6pm

Limited to 10 participants
$100/day or $250 for all three days

To reserve a spot, please e-transfer (admin@atomicvaudeville.com) 50% of the fee (listed above) for either one, two or three days. This deposit is non-refundable. The remaining fee can be paid on the first day of class.

Email admin@atomicvaudeville.com to register.

Writing Workshop with Meg Braem

The Gardener and the Architect:
Working from Impulse to Structure in Playwriting

DATE: Thursday, December 11th
TIME: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
LOCATION: AV Studio, Chinatown
WHAT TO BRING: writing journal, a pen
PRICE: $80

Writers are often asked, “are you a gardener or an architect?” The gardener being an artist who plants a handful of seeds and waits to see what germinates, while the architect starts from a set of plans and outlines. I believe all creators are both. Artists must generate material through impulse, curiosity, and wonder.

This first step can be unruly and uncomfortable for those used to knowing exactly what they are trying to do. Once material has been created, the artist can begin to concentrate on finding a structure that serves the story.

It is sometimes helpful to be reminded that it is spelled playwright not a playwrite, in a similar form to shipwright, meaning a builder of plays. Using playwriting to facilitate the integral steps of impulse and building structure, writers of all genres will follow their curiosity and gain tools to best articulate their ideas.

Email admin@atomicvaudeville.com to register.

About Meg Braem

Meg Braem’s plays have been nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award and won the Alberta Literary Award for Drama. She is a two-time winner of the Alberta Playwriting Competition. Meg’s work has been presented by  Drayton Entertainment, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, The Belfry Theatre, Sage Theatre, Sparrow and Finch Theatre, Theatre Transit, Larriken Entertainment, Atomic Vaudeville and Intrepid Theatre. Publications include Blood: A Scientific Romance (Playwrights Canada Press), (co-author) Amplify: Graphic Narratives of Feminist Resistance (University of Toronto Press), The Josephine Knot (Playwrights Canada Press) and Flight Risk (University of Calgary Press). Meg holds a BFA in theatre from Uvic and an MFA in playwriting u of Calgary. Meg is an Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University. 
This first step can be unruly and uncomfortable for those used to knowing exactly what they are trying to do. Once material has been created, the artist can begin to concentrate on finding a structure that serves the story.

It is sometimes helpful to be reminded that it is spelled playwright not a playwrite, in a similar form to shipwright, meaning a builder of plays. Using playwriting to facilitate the integral steps of impulse and building structure, writers of all genres will follow their curiosity and gain tools to best articulate their ideas.