Sunday, November 13, 2011

Next Melodrama Workout

Grand Guingolers are back in the workout mode!  Come play. 
 29 November 2011

            Grand Guignolers Physical Theatre
         Melodrama Workout 
                PLAY BIG * PLAY FIERCE * PLAY TO SURVIVE
TUESDAY 29 Nov 2011


Dear Guignoler Friends:

RATES WILL SOON BE GOING UP. NOW ONLY $18 FOR 2.5 HRS OF INTENSIVE WORKOUT!

Join us for a physically theatrical workout to get you out of your head and into your body. All levels welcome in an inclusive and safe environment. This is physical theatre: authenticity in a very heightened and physically expressive style. It is ideal for actors seeking to improve movement skills, physical theatre artists just looking to get a 'workout' and non-artists who want to sweat and have fun. This is the only training of its type in Los Angeles and unlike many acting classes, you'll be up and moving far more than watching.

Melodrama is the most expressive of Western theatre forms, closest to the theatrical impulse, based in heightened physical gesture, high stakes, big emotion states, the struggle of virtue and evil ... to music. It is the visceral expression of Artaud's "athlete of the emotions." It's cathartic, powerful and FUN!
   
Sign up to secure your spot as workshops fill up quickly. 
$18/workout. 
TUESDAY, NOV. 29, 7:30-10. 
ArtWorks Theatre. 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90038. No parking in lot. 
If you would like to join in the post-workout soiree, please bring treats/drinks to share.

Classes taught by Debbie McMahon, Artistic Director Grand Guignolers. 
Feel free to email 
info[at]grandguignolers.com  with questions.  

from Grand Guignolers' Absinthe Opium & Magic: 1920s Shanghai
Grand Guignolers' - Absinthe Opium & Magic: 1920s Shanghai.  Annie Appel Photography. 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Building Community (Old Revolution Style)

With all due respect to the global Occupy movement and its primarily Open Source Technology approach to community building, Grand Guignolers and Art via Corpora invite you to come celebrate the dead day a few hours early.

It's all fun and games, until someone loses an eye ... or two.
"See" for yourself. 
Free Admission but Reservations Required.

The Grand Guignol 
Class Recital

After a two week intensive workshop in Grand Guignol...
The class will present scenes from the classic Grand Guignol repertoire: The Laboratory of HallucinationsThe Final Kiss, and A Crime in the Madhouse. The Theatre of Terror and Laughter, Grand Guignol combines the styles of melodrama, naturalism, suspense and of course ... blood. This is not appropriate for children as violent is explicit.  

WHERE: ArtWorks Theatre. 6569 Santa Monica Blvd. LA 90038

WHEN: Fri. October 28 at 8:30pm. About an hour or less. Absinthe & drinks available. Doors open at 8pm. 

FREE ADMISSION BUT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. EMAIL: info@grandguignolers.com with names/email.  


Come share some gory times with us and get worked-up  to experience the drama yourself:

NEXT MELODRAMA WORKOUT WORKSHOP 
TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 7:30 - 10:30
$18
WWW.GRANDGUIGNOLERS.COM  for more info

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Grand Guignol Intensive

viaCorpora is pleased to announce that our cohorts, the Grand Guignolers, want to share a very special Halloween preparation with you.

Two Weeks of Terror
A Grand Guignol Intensive Workshop

October 16-28, 2011

GRAND GUIGNOL
The Theatre of Laughter & Terror


Dubbed the "Theatre of Laughter and Terror," the Théâtre du Grand Guignol, ran from 1897-1962 in a small Parisian theatre. An evening of "hot and cold showers," alternated short plays of drama, farce, and horror with gory special effects, the latter for which it was most famous (an evening's success was judged by the number of fainting patrons).  The genre was the precursor of German Expressionism, film noir and the contemporary horror film.


The Workshop

This workshop is an earnest approach to Grand Guignol honoring the power of this form: real suspense and full engagement in dark psychological themes - jealousy, madness, and fear. And, of course, there will be blood...  All levels welcome.
  • ACTING STYLE in exercises and classic Grand Guignol scenes. This unique form combines the grand physical expression of melodrama with an intensely psychological naturalism.
  • HISTORICAL BACKGROUND in lecture, books, articles, handouts, photos, and video.
  • SPECIAL EFFECTS, the highly guarded secrets of live gore making.
  • AN EVENING OF HORROR, a class 'recital' of Grand Guignol scenes for your invited guests. Experience the power of this visceral form with a live audience.
COST:  Early Bird Price $375 by Sept. 28. Regular Price: $425. Deposit of $150 required to secure your spot. Cost includes material fees. But not a shower. Which you will need.

LOCATION: ArtWorks Theatre. 6569 Santa Monica Blvd. LA 90038; alternate locations TBA. 

DATES: Oct. 16-28. Weeknights 7-10/11; Sundays - 4-8; OFF: 10/19, 10/20, 10/27. SAT 10/20 TBA. Bring popcorn for the bonus movie night! Oct. 28 is the Final Presentation.

TO SIGN UP & FOR MORE DETAILS: www.grandguignolers.com

Workshop taught by Debbie McMahon, the 'puppet lady' of the petits guignolers and the creator/director of the Grand Guignoler shows. Debbie studied at Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatreand earned an MA in Performance Studies at NYU . She recently co-taught the Grand Guignol Summer Workshop at Dell'Arte with master teacher, Michael Fields. In addition to Grand Guignolers, she recently directed a commedia dell'arte play at USC MFA School and clowns with Cirque du Soleil.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Melodrama Workout Sept 15



Come Play!

Grand Guignolers Physical Theatre
Melodrama Workout

PLAY BIG * PLAY FIERCE * PLAY TO SURVIVE
THURSDAY * SEPTEMBER 15th
  
Join the Grand Guignolers for another physically theatrical workout to get you out of your head and into your body. All levels welcome.  
Melodrama is the most expressive of Western theatre forms,  closest to the theatrical impulse, based in heightened physical gesture, high stakes, big emotion states, the struggle of virtue and evil ... to music.
The workshop is somewhere between Artaud's "athlete of the emotions" and cops & robbers. It's cathartic, powerful and FUN!  The workshop focuses on the physical workout not dialogue.
Sign up to secure your spot as workshops fill up quickly. 
$18/workout. 
THURS., SEPTEMBER 15th 7:30-10. ArtWorks Theatre.  6569 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90038. 
No parking in lot.
Feel free to bring treats/drinks to join in post-workout soiree.

Classes taught by Debbie McMahon, Artistic Director Grand Guignolers.  Feel free to email with questions.


from Grand Guignolers' Absinthe Opium & Magic: 1920s Shanghai
Grand Guignolers' - Absinthe Opium & Magic: 1920s Shanghai.  Annie Appel Photography. 



Friday, August 12, 2011

SomaFest registration open

Teri Carter has been building the excellent Somatic Movement Arts Festival in Los Angeles for the last few years and SomaFest 2011 promises to be a luminous gathering.

Take advantage of the Early bird registration until August 15.

Please visit: www.somafest.org

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Next Melodrama Workout


Come Play!

Grand Guignolers Physical Theatre
Melodrama Workout: French Revolution Theme

PLAY BIG * PLAY FIERCE * PLAY TO SURVIVE
THURSDAY * AUGUST 4th
 THEME: FRENCH REVOLUTION - THE GREAT FEAR
+ celebrating August 4, 1789 feudalism abolished in France


Grand Guignolers next Melodrama Physical Theatre Workout incorporates the spirit of the French Revolution - the setting of their next big production.  Join them for a physically theatrical workout to get you out of your head and into your body - grand gestures, stakes, full heightened physical expression.  All levels welcome.    

Melodrama is the most expressive of Western theatre forms, the one closest to the theatrical impulse, based in heightened physical gesture, high emotional stakes, bold characters, spectacle, the struggle of virtue and evil, and all to music.  The workshop is somewhere between Artaud's "athlete of the emotions" and cops & robbers.  It's cathartic, powerful and FUN!  
   
Sign up to secure your spot. 

$18/workout. 
THURS. AUGUST 4th 7:30-10 at ArtWorks Theatre.  6569 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90038.  
No parking in lot.  Free street parking after 7pm.  

Feel free to bring drinks/treats to join in post-workout festivities!

Classes taught by Debbie McMahon, Director/Creator Grand Guignolers.  Feel free to email with questions.

Attire: workout clothes. hair secured off face. no dangling jewelry.

TICKETS HERE
Come play!


Au Revoir, Louis XVI! 
Madame Guillotine

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Bastille Day Bash!

Come on out and celebrate Bastille Day like you never have before!

Grand Guignolers Physical Theatre
Melodrama Workout: Bastille Day Eve
PLAY BIG * PLAY FIERCE * PLAY TO SURVIVE

WEDNESDAY * JULY 13th
FOCUS: BASTILLE DAY EVE

On the eve of Bastille Day, our friends at Grand Guignolers are offering another Melodrama Physical Theatre Workout that incorporates the spirit of the French Revolution. The Revolution will be the setting of their next big production. Join them for a physically theatrical workout to get you out of your head and into your body - grand gestures, stakes, full heightened physical expression. All levels welcome.
Melodrama is the most expressive of Western theatre forms, the one closest to the theatrical impulse, based in heightened physical gesture, high emotional stakes, bold characters, spectacle, the struggle of virtue and evil, and all to music. The workshop is somewhere between Artaud's "athlete of the emotions" and cops & robbers.

It's cathartic, powerful and FUN!


Sign up to secure your spot.

$18
WED., JULY 13th 7:30-10
ArtWorks Theatre, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90038.

No parking in lot. Free street parking after 7pm. Feel free to bring drinks to join in the post-workout Bastille Day Eve celebration!

Classes taught by Debbie McMahon, Director/Creator Grand Guignolers. Just back from leading a Guignol workshop at Dell'Arte International!
Feel free to email with questions.

Attire: workout clothes. hair secured off face. no dangling jewelry.

TICKETS HERE
Come play!



Saturday, May 14, 2011

More North

Our cohorts the Grand Guignolers are offering a workshop at Dell Arte International in June!

JUNE 20-24 in beautiful Blue Lake, CA: arcata/eureka area - great healthy food, Redwood forests, Ocean, and other good stuff you'd find in that part of the country.


GRAND GUIGNOL
The theatre of terror and laughter....
with Michael Fields & Debbie McMahon

Once the most popular entertainment in Europe, Grand Guignol is an exciting theatre form that begat current thriller and horror films. Rarely taught, this “theatre of laughter and terror” explores our fascination with the macabre, playing with the violation of society’s taboos. Grand Guignol is wildly physical, intensely psychological, and filled with gruesome special effects. Explore both the physical performance styles and skills at the heart of the form, as well as the special effects (often closely held secrets) that so terrified the Grand Guignol audiences that a medical doctor was on hand for every performance to treat those who passed out from shock! The workshop will culminate in a late-night presentation of horror. Fee includes materials. $475.

Enrollment is here:
http://dellarte.com/dellarte.aspx?id=268


Monday, May 9, 2011

Dance on Land/Dance Without Sight

Our friends in Northern California are offering a workshop we'd like to bring to your attention.

DANCE ON LAND
DANCE WITHOUT SIGHT

Mana Hashimoto teaching at inkGround
DANCE WITHOUT SIGHT

Led by Mana Hashimoto
July 2 & 3, average of 5-6 hours per day, 2 days

 Dana Iova-Koga co-teaching w/ Shinichi at inkGround
DANCE ON LAND
Led by Shinichi and Dana Iova-Koga
July 5-9, average of 6-8 hours per day, 5 days

Held at inkGround, a dance center located in the remote Mattole valley of California’s Lost Coast, 6-hours drive from San Francisco.

This summer our explorations in the connection between body and its surroundings will include a two-day session with Mana Hashimoto, entitled “Dance without sight,” and a 5 day session with Shinichi and Dana Iova-Koga.

In “Dance without sight,” (July 2 & 3) participants will work under the guidance of gifted dancer and teacher Hashimoto, who is blind. Dancers will work with a new approach to the body and space that doesn’t use visual information- with eyes blindfolded- in order to open their other senses and to focus on their internal body.  (more below)

During “Dance on Land,” (July 5-9) we will be training in rigorous physicality and subtle listening. Elements of nature inform our movement. In yielding to the landscape’s mandate, we discover focus and sensitivity. We exhaust the body and its habits to activate the sensate body. We investigate core kinaesthetic and imagistic motives for movement in order to find dance on land.

We work from the body’s intrinsic tension, releasing the unnecessary to find a balance of strength and softness. We work from the center (tanden) to move the far-reaching limbs.  We develop listening in relation to time, space, motion, inner rhythms and one another.

inkGround is surrounded by trees, mountains, river, ocean, gardens and orchards. We will be working in all of these microclimates, as well as in the dance studio in the barn. Discovering the body in the environment and our places within it, we’ll work in solo, duet and group improvisations.

Housing is your tent.

Kitchen is outside. (Food is Delicious!)

Toilet is rustic.
To register, we require a non-refundable $50 deposit by June 1st to hold your place.
Go to: http://danceonland2011.eventbrite.com

Complete payment must be received on or before the first day of the workshop.


LOGISTICS:

Costs:
Tuition for “Dance Without Sight” only: $200
Tuition for “Dance on Land” only: $500
Tuition for both workshops $600 (You save $100!)
Food: $20 per day for omnivores, vegans or vegetarians, $25 per day for other special needs diets (ie gluten free, candida diet, etc.)
Food costs will be calculated once you arrive, depending upon the number of days you stay.

* Workshop tuition does not cover the cost of transportation to Petrolia
* WORKSHOP DATES DO NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL DAYS. Please allow for one day on either end to account for travel time.  (ex: if attending entire workshop, you would travel up on July 1 and travel back down on July 10).

* Discount available for “Dance on Land” session for returning students
 
* Very limited Work-trade available. See below.
  Work Trade at inkGround
This year there are very limited work trade spaces available.  We only need a few people with experience in construction/carpentry. The work session will fall during the week of June 24th-30th. Participation in the work trade session waives the $500 workshop fee for “Dance on Land” only. There is no work trade available for “Dance Without Sight.” Those doing work trade must contribute $10 per day to cover the cost of food for the work-days and $20 (or $25 for special diets) per day for food during the workshop week and any in between days. If interested in work trade, please request an application from Dana: daisy@inkboat.com.
Applications to apply for work trade must be received by June 1st.
For more information about upcoming events, workshops and performances, please visit our website at: www.inkboat.com
Need to get a better idea of what goes on?  Go here: http://vimeo.com/10794703
Dates for BOTH workshops
(not including travel time)
Saturday, July 2  through Saturday, July 9

Location
inkGround
627 Lighthouse Road
PetroliaCA 95558

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