W O R K S H O P S
The workshops are based on Vincent’s experience within the performing arts as a performer, director, writer and creative for more than 15 years. In addition to his artistic practice, Vincent has worked for a decade as a drama teacher in France, as well as held a number of workshops for performing arts professionals and students in Norway, Denmark and France. His teaching is inspired by Lecoq’s pedagogy, and nourished by his practice of Taiji Quan and Qigong.
W O R K S H O P # 1
The Poetic Act
« The Poetic Act » is a method designed for actors, directors, visual artists, scenographers, dancers, puppeteers, and/or anyone working within the field of performing arts who is interested in bringing a significant change into their lives and their environment. Using mindfulness techniques and tools to awaken one's most playful imagination, the practice will engage the participants in a transformative and creative process. The workshop is commonly divided into 3 parts, called the « 3 I’s » : I for Intention - I for Improvisation - I for Interpretation.
The first part - Intention - is based on a series of questions posed to identify the goals of the Act. What is at stake? What is it that we wish to change? Something within our society? Something within ourselves? Something about a specific relationship? Clarifying intention is the preponderance part of the process and will shape what follows.
The second part - Improvisation - is a well orchestrated set of provocations used to find the right tone, the right medium, the right voice, the right movement, the right character (if any), or simply the right conduct to convey the intention to its realisation. This part relies on the craft and skills of each participant, and offers keys to improve these skills according to the different genres and poetic universe of each individual.
The 3rd part - Interpretation - is the Act itself. A scene - lasting from 5 to 20 minutes - is presented in front of an audience where the participants will at last get the chance to present their work. « The Poetic Act » is a doorway into a true investigation within oneself and one’s environment. A playful opportunity to bring change into one’s life by using the transformative power of the stage, leading both the performer and the audience towards a form of catharsis, of release and freedom.
W O R K S H O P # 2
Movement, dynamics and space
As an extension of Jacques Lecoq's physical pedagogy, this workshop will challenge the participants to closely observe the world surrounding us. Materials, shapes, colours and light become the starting point for an exploration in physical play. Through exercises that build upon each other, the practice will inspire participants to become more aware of what they can convey with their own body language, both alone and in a group. The focus is oriented on recreating real life, feelings, ways of being, and interactions, conveyed through movement and dynamics. The actors will be trained to enlarge and clarify their own physical expression, with the aim of developing a stronger presence on stage.
Collective work is at the heart of this course, where listening to one another and sharing ideas are constantly encouraged. Participants will be challenged to take and fill the space, while also sensing how to move together as a group to express themselves as a single organism.
W O R K S H O P # 3
Introduction to Mask
In this workshop the participants will use the full mask as a tool to focus on body language in order to improve their craft as a performer. Through well-articulated physical play, the mask can convey feelings and moods in a very unique way. Although the mask is an old tool, participants will discover how it can have a modern and relevant voice. Physical presence, body control, articulation of gestures and reactions will be investigated, as well as how the actor can convey emotions, relations and situations without speaking. The workshop will mainly focus on character work, including how one can create a character very different from oneself through breathing, gestures and posture.
Depending on previous experience, the actors will have the opportunity to try out two different kinds of masks: the larva mask and the character mask. The larva mask is a working mask with some simple characteristic features, and is well suited for those who have not worked with masks before. The character mask places stronger guidelines on the actor, while providing greater and more nuanced playing possibilities. With the character mask, and in groups, the participants will work out short stories that will be shown at the end of the workshop.
In the longer version of this workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to create their own mask, and discover what character comes out of the mask.
W O R K S H O P # 4
Storytelling
With an original and playful approach to Mime and Object Theatre, this workshop will lead the participants to focus on the creative process from an idea to a complete story. Participants will explore different ways of constructing a coherent story with a succession of events and a strong dramatic range. Working collectively will be of central importance. The participants will be challenged to write their own stories together, to play the characters, and to make their universe come alive by creating soundscapes, compelling plateaus and dynamic spaces. They will be encouraged to use storytelling techniques inspired by film techniques such as zoom, close-up, slow motion and fast motion in order to create different atmospheres and give exciting rhythm to their stories. As part of the exercises, the participants will be given various objects that they can manipulate and use to develop the story.
At the end of the workshop, the participants, divided into small groups, will receive a sentence as a starting point for a story with the constraint of one place and one event. Together they will look for ways to work collectively through listening and building onto each other’s ideas. The course ends with a presentation of the different stories created.
W O R K S H O P # 5
The Clown
In this workshop, participants will try out « the smallest mask in the world » and see how laughter can arise in the relationship with the audience. The participants will be invited to use who they are as their main source of inspiration while drawing their attention to everything that can happen when the fourth wall is broken. Stripping down our «character» to a pure and genuine presence will be the main goal of this workshop, where everyone will search for their own clown. During the research, the participants will consistently be challenged to find their own spontaneous and most sincere play, where it will be essential to open up to their classmates, the audience and themselves. Each student's clown is unique - the original resonance of their voice can sometimes surprise us and reveal the essence of who we are and how we belong.