Eccentric Performing in Hawaii
Taught by Avner Eisenberg & Julie Goell
Janary 17–31, 2009
We’re holding our second annual Eccentric Performing Workshop at Bellyacres in Hawaii
When: January 17–31, 2009
Where: SPACE Arts Center at Bellyacres on the Big Island in Hawaii
How much: $1950 including housing in a Bellyacres jungle-o and delicious hot meals from our own eccentric chef.
Write to staff@avnertheeccentric.com to apply or for questions.
Based in the Clown Principles, Eccentric Performing for theater professionals is a physical approach to acting and comedy.
The workshop initially addresses three areas: balance and control of the space, meeting and establishing complicity with the audience and with partners, and problem solving as a method of working on stage. After this introduction, we will explore ways of creating material and finding character. The focus is on activating the internal emotional state of the audience and helping the actor to always be interested rather than interesting.
Eccentric Performing is one of the most personal and paradoxical of theater forms: It can be ingenious or dim-witted, skillful or blundering. It can have a sharp verbal wit or be completely silent. It can be extremely silly while pointing out the failure of society. Above all Eccentric Performing is funny!
Open to performers of all abilities, this workshop explores bare-bones, red-nosed clowning in the search for the personal Eccentric performer.
We will work with students individually and in groups to investigate clown personae. Relationship to the audience as complicit partner, use of audience volunteers, and applications of clowning to other forms of theater are of special interest.
The daily routine includes movement, technique, improv, assigned themes to prepare outside of class, and nightly sessions devoted to critiquing existing work.
Avner Eisenberg was described by New York Magazine as “a clown for the thinking man.” His show Avner the Eccentric was a hit of the 1984–1985 Broadway season. He appeared again on Broadway in Ghetto and The Comedy of Errors. Avner is widely known for his scene-stealing portrayal of the loveable holy man, the Jewel in The Jewel of the Nile… read more
Julie Goell grew up in Rome where she studied Italian, Bel Canto and Commedia dell’Arte. As a Physical comedienne in Europe she toured with I Gesti and taught physical comedy skills at L’Istituto per lo Studio Dello Spettacolo where she received teacher certification. Upon returning… read more