COMEDY = TRAGEDY + TIME – A course for actors and clowns
Monday August 28, 2017 - Friday September 01, 2017
WITH ANGIE FOSTER AND VIVIAN GLADWELL
When Lecoq first introduced clowning to his students by asking them to put on a red nose and be funny, he noted how student after student failed until ‘they stopped improvising and went back to their seats feeling frustrated, confused and embarrassed. It was at that point, when they saw their weaknesses, that everyone burst out laughing’ (Lecoq 2002: 154).
Honoring the art and mystery of human fumbling, clowning invites us to playfully open a space for responding out of honest presence and a truer listening to what is happening both inside and around us. Learning to welcome honest being is a liberating experience.
This is a clowning course for actors who wish to explore what clowning can bring to their dramatic performance and stage presence. By exploring our vulnerability, by befriending the discomfort of not knowing we can draw insights into our performance as actors. Experienced clowns are also welcomed.
Participants are asked to bring a piece of text or drama that they wish to work on (not comic). The course will invite participants to explore their text through the lens of the clown.
During the week we will be creating a performance piece to present on the evening of Thursday August 31.
The group is limited to 12. Early registration is advised.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Some experience of EITHER acting or clowning is recommended.
Angie Foster
Angie Foster is a Clowning Facilitator, Actress, Director, and teacher. She trained with Vivian Gladwell and is on the team of Nose to Nose of North America. She has facilitated clowning workshops in the Philadelphia area and at the Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, California as well as Threefold Education Center in Spring Valley, New York and elsewhere in the country. She teaches co-workers regularly at Kimberton Hills, Beaver Run, and Soltane communities.
She trained first as a classical actress at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. She has performed on Broadway in two productions as well as off-Broadway. She did several years of experimental theater with Andre Gregory, as well as regional theaters around the country. Other trainings include Spacial Dynamics with Jaimen Macmillan and Gestalt Training with Mariah Gladis. She has been teaching Drama and directing plays at Kimberton Waldorf School for 20 years. This form of clowning combines her passion for improvisation and theatre, her quest for what it is to be human, and discovering freedom through play.
Vivian Gladwell
Vivian is the founder and director of Nose to Nose and has given hundreds of workshops around the world. He lives both in the UK and France where he started clowning in 1978. He speaks French and English fluently.
Vivian began teaching in 1988 as part of the Lifeways Festival at Emerson College – UK. He trained as a facilitator with the Bataclown in 1990 and joined their team in 1991 also working as a modern day Court Jester (Clownanalyst).
He created Nose to Nose UK in 1990, Nose to Nose of North America in 2006 and Fool View, the Social Clowning group and has trained facilitators in the UK, the USA, Germany and Italy – view history.
He continues his role as ambassador for the work by researching the applications of clowning in the context of teacher training, medicine, conflict management, ecology and intercultural work in many countries (South Africa, USA, Senegal, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, Norway…)
He holds clowning as a social playground for exploring our humanity.
Course fee: $525 – Tuition only
Accommodation and meals:
Accommodation and meals are not included. You will need to find these online and we are happy to advise you. Just email us at
Date and times:
The course begins on the first day at 10:00 am
Ends on the last day at 1:30 pm
Venue: Philadelphia
Click here to sign up or enquire
MORE INFO CONCERNING COURSE FEE
Fee $525 – (a deposit of $180 is required to hold your place – This deposit is REFUNDABLE more than 6 weeks before the start of the course or if the course is cancelled)
Q: Can I talk to someone? A: Yes, just send an email with your phone number to angie@nosetonose.info and we’ll call you as soon as we are free to do so.
Q: Where can I stay? A: Accommodation and meals are not included. You will need to find these online and we are happy to advise you. Just email us at angie@nosetonose.info
Q: Are there still spaces available on the course? A: To find out just click on the Paypal or Credit Card link above and you will see the number of places available. It will not be possible for you to book if there are no spaces available.
Q: Can you put me on the waiting list? A: Sure, just write to angie@nosetonose.info to ask. We will put you on our waiting list and let you know when a place becomes available.
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