THE NOSE TO NOSE PROGRESSION
Level 1
This level grounds clowning in presence and authenticity. It nurtures
one's own unique way of being a clown, through listening and being
receptive.
The simplicity and spirit of the work at this level bring many participants
back year after year. By connecting to our playful spirit we develop
and sustain, in ourselves and each other, the heart to be who we truly
are and to trust life and ourselves. This level nurtures the inward
process, and is an invitation for overcoming the fears that block
us from being fully present in the "Here and Now."
Level 2
Level 2 shifts the focus towards structure and relationship. The more
demanding aspects of this level come from a need to practice a responsiveness
to and awareness of your partner on stage, your audience and the images,
stories and characters that emerge during improvisation.
At this level, changes are introduced in the way the work is taught
in order to bring greater insights into the techniques of improvisation
and performance. Also new structures and themes bring greater challenges
and rigour within the improvisations.
Level
3
This level III course brings a fresh new way of looking at impros
by focusing on the many strategies we use for avoiding mistakes. The
course gives a greater focus on theatrical and improvisational techniques
and will feel very different from previous levels. For example, impros
are repeated to bring actors to work in less familiar and/or comfortable
areas.
Level 3 moves the work one step closer to performance.
Towards Performance
This advanced course offers an ideal opportunity to practice improvising
in front of a real audience. It includes performances open to the
public.
The group focuses on working through the impros again with insights
and feedback gained from the previous each performance.
The course introduces the key principles of Social Clowning.
Social clowning
Social clowning borrows its techniques from the traditions of the
Court Jester and the Fool.
Our guideline at this level is to free and renew the creative processes
within ourselves and to explore how to bring the clown's playful
irreverence at the service of our relationship with others and within
institutions.
We practice:
- Mirroring social, symbolic and archetypal references
- reclaiming paradoxes of wisdom and the absurd, light and shadows
- parodying games of power and knowledge
- celebrating the heart
By holding a mirror to life, the clown frees us to laugh at distorted
reflections of ourselves and our world.
By putting the human heart back at the centre of life, the clown
can reclaim and celebrate its paradoxes.
By juggling with social, symbolic and archetypal references, the
clown exposes truths others dare not or cannot speak out.
By parodying the games of knowledge and power, the clown reveals
not only the light and the shadows of our world but also affirms
and celebrates our humanity.
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