'Mastering with the Mistresses' [as part of Girls At Work]

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Date: 25 Sep 2010 - 08 Oct 2010
Time: See details below
Price: $80.00 Full / $50.00 Conc [including booking fee]

Mastering with the Mistresses

Theatre Works and Tashmadada present a series of 'Mistress'classes with the best 'Girls in the Biz'.  Abandon yourself into the 'Girl Power' and new ways of working with some of the best women artists in Melbourne.

Featuring the fabulous talents of Bagryana Popov, Tanya Gerstle, Sue Broadway and  Penelope Bartlau.

To participate in these MistressClasses, click on the 'Buy Now ' button at the top of this screen and pay for your place, then send us an email including a short biog and a brief paragraph on what you hope to get out of the classes. Include your name and the title of the class in the subject heading.

Available for purchase from Tuesday 7th September. 

Working through the body -  Saturday 25th September:  
10.00am to 2.00pm  

Masterclass leader:  Bagryana Popov

In this workshop we will look at ways of working from the body in a full and present way. We will use text and improvisation, and find imaginative ways in to text through the body. We will explore a way of approaching work in an unmediated, open way, in the here-and-now.

The workshop will move across a theatre and dance approach in an active and playful way. Bring a piece of text which you know, and we will open it up, explore and extend it, play around it, and perhaps leave  it by the wayside as we take off in a new and unexpected direction...

Maximum Number: 12

Pulse: Composed Improvisation for Performers - Friday 1st October:   
10.00am to 2.00pm  

Masterclass leader: Tanya Gerstle

Pulse is a shared language for an improvising ensemble.

Like a group of jamming jazz musicians, a Pulse ensemble of improvising performers plays solo and together. United by an embedded set of performance and composition principles performers respond to external sources and internal impulses. They weave action, language, image and sound to spontaneously create a Composed Improvisation. The performer is simultaneously the creator and the creation.

This workshop offers an insight into the Pulse Training and an introduction to the shared language of this ensemble practice.

For actors, dancers and physical theatre performers, who have a hunger to improvise and a desire to collaborate.

Maximum Number: 16

In the Zone – performance, presence and pleasure - Monday 4th October:  
10.00am to 2.00pm  

Masterclass leader: Sue Broadway

What makes a performer "present' for an audience? How do you put yourself in that zone? How can you access your presence and pleasure whenever you need it? Through games and improvisation a space is created for making discoveries about how you and your presence impact on an audience and how you can free yourself to play in the moment.

Maximum Number: 20 

An introduction to Object Theatre & Bunraku Puppetry - Thursday 7th October:  
10.00am to 2.00pm

Masterclass leader:  Penelope Bartlau

"Anything can be a puppet": Peter J Wilson, Master Puppeteer.

A relative newcomer to the world of puppetry, Object Theatre challenges traditional thinking on manipulation and puppetry forms. The puppeteer imbues life into seemingly lifeless everyday objects - such as a potato, a cheese grater, a tube of toothpaste - generating personality, intelligence and drama from and with the objects. The manipulator is visible and big vocals are required. The workshop focuses on puppetry manipulation, character creation, vocal skills, play and improvisation – working solo and in teams.

Introduction to Bunraku Puppetry

Bunraku is the traditional Japanese form of puppetry. Bunraku is generally understood to be when three puppeteers operate one puppet. Traditionally, it takes many years of training to become a Master Bunraku puppeteer. Three minds must become one. Three breaths must breath together to bring the puppet to life. The art of Bunraku is the art of truly listening to your fellow performer. In this workshop we introduce Bunraku techniques through a series of exercises in and though hands-on practice.

Maximum Number: 20

Making a piece of theatre from scratch - Thursday 8th October:  
10.00am to 2.00pm

Masterclass leader: Penelope Bartlau

In this workshop we explore various methods and approaches to creative development: how to nurture an idea or vision out of your head and onto the page or floor. We look at seeking and finding clarity: generating a premise for a work. We introduce methods to experiment with and test out ideas practically, no matter what form of theatre you are aiming for. We focus on trouble shooting in the creation of a work: How do you keep going when you're stuck? What are the practical considerations for a creative development period? How do you assess what works and what doesn't work? How do you string it all together to make a show?

This workshop is one where participants bring an idea they want to play with, or bring an inspiring object, a dream, a line from a poem, an obsession or a picture that's in their head – anything. We tease out these sources of inspiration and build the foundations for a piece of theatre.

Maximum Number: 14

For Information about other 2010 Melbourne Fringe events, head to www.melbournefringe.com.au