PHYSICAL THEATRE - PHYSICAL COMEDY
From body language to the spoken word
Workshop with Adriana Salles und Andreas Simma
We dedicate this course to comedy. Laughter is the best ambassador between a dramatic artist and his audience. We try to explore the world of characters who are not always funny. True comedy only comes from real, very often tragic, situations.
We therefore explore physical comedy, which goes back to the Commedia dell’Arte and even further. Thus, the half-masks of the Commedia dell’Arte are the best teachers of comedy. We discover here all the rules of being funny.
As soon as the mask is taken off, the body is ready to “write” a text that meets the challenges of the stage.
The workshop is aimed at
Actors, dancers, singers, clowns, writers, directors, film-makers, critics (why not?)… From beginners to professionals.
Differences in level are not a brake but part of the work in a group.
Experiences are exchanged, everyone can learn from everyone else.
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January 2022
from 10.00 to 18.00
Content
Participants become aware that the body is the most important instrument of the artist. It is the first tool to perceive life (in every sense of the word).
The performance can and must be augmented, but not superficial, The body is made aware to the participants as the main instrument of the performing artist.
Through “movement analysis”, participants will understand that movement is not just a sequence of actions, but a dynamic related to space, rhythm and the forces used.
The study of mask play (full and half masks) allows us to intensify the performance without becoming superficial, allowing our characters to exist on stage and be understandable without the need of a text.
This awareness enables us to be understood even by an audience that does not know the “local” language. Our play becomes universal.
Throughout the course, an opening to texts of theatre literature is proposed, creating a link between body language and spoken language.
All theatre literature and story telling is based on the ARCHETYPES of the Commedia, the basic tools for building a plot, a scene, a play.
Participants are invited to develop their own scenic writing.

Goal
– Discovering the necessary minimum presence on stage
– Developing theatrical gestures
– Understanding the relationship between space, gesture, emotion and partner.
– Understanding the body of the masks as a tool for building characters
– Connecting body language with the spoken word
– Combining creative joy with technical demands
– Introduction to collective creation
– Learning scenic writing through practice on stage (applied dramaturgy)
We are looking for modern (today’s) theatre, where the human being is in the heart of the action.
When ?
Where ?
Important!
Your participation in the courses is at your own risk and responsibility! We also offer individual coaching for individual needs and problems.
If you have any questions, just write to us !