8 June, 2020 → 9 June, 2021
Padova, ITALY
THE CHORUS IN THE CITY
A
post-pandemic
collective
theatrical
poetic resurrection
Theatre was born outdoor, and it has happened outdoor for thousands of years. Even the Greek theatre was en plein air. The sky has always been watching the human shapeshifting.
When Covid came, all of a sudden the gathering indoor became a dangerous activity, potentially lethal. Theatres, studios, rehearsal rooms, community halls… they went silent and a very long stillness fell upon us all. The pandemic stepped onto live arts like a giant gone mad.
Now that Covid is slowly receding here in Italy, we are all looking for a way to re-turn to play.
Where shall we perform, play, train and teach again?
Where shall we start walking again after this phenomenal accident?
Will we still be able to play together?
Following these question, this workshop came into existence.
From a need of playing and healing, gathering and re-embodying.
From an intense craving for social proximity and for a shared space.
Searching for a time and place for the rebirth of the basic need for connecting with each other and with our community.
This will be like a first steps after a long stillness, the first breath after a long immersion in playlessness, the first dance after a long season of silent immobility.
Come to Padova, birthplace of Commedia dell’Arte, to practice collective poetic rebirth, playful healing and co-create a theatrical resurrection.
THE PROGRAM
This class will be an exploration of the roots of THE CHORUS, as the archetypal form of collective play.
The work will alternate collective movement exercises on essential element of physical theater, with improvisations in the open spaces of the city. The purpose is to re-awaken the poetic body and its relationship of mimesis with the world.
Becoming by imitation, amplification and play.
These are the themes the will be explored:
The foundations of Movement Based Theater: the body in space.
Play, Action-reaction, Levels of Physical engagement
The collective movement: from the crowd to the chorus
The technique of flocking
The mimodynamic approach: miming the dynamic of nature
The mimodynamic of the city: becoming patterns and landscapes
The city and the people: flocking in characters.
PRACTICALITIES
APPLICATIONS
Please send a brief letter of motivation about why you want to join this workshop.
Places will be given in the order of arrival of the applications.
The class is limited to a maximum 12 participants.
APPLICATION DEADLINE : May 15th, 2021
No applications will be accepted after this date. During these times of pandemics it is very difficult to plan ahead. This is the reason why both the info about this workshop and the deadline to enroll, come to you with very short notice.
Carpe diem. Seize the day.
Once the workshop will be confirmed, participants will receive a message containing further practical details about the workshop, as well as the details of the safety anti-covid regulations that the group will engage to comply with.
LANGUAGE: The workshop will be taught in ENGLISH and a basic understanding of of this langauge is required.
LOCATION: The group will gather at the HELIKOS STUDIO, Via Monte Solarolo 16, 35141 PADOVA, ITALY. All classes will happen outdoor.
SCHEDULE: 9:30 to 18:00, each day
TUITION
The coronavirus crisis has provoked a significant loss of income to all theatre practitioners, so the tuition is following a sliding scale approach. The sliding scale wants to acknowledge the difficult moment we are facing and the vital urgency we all feel to practice our art and to support each other and the Poetic Field. Different countries have put into place different systems of public support of artists, if any, so different participants might find themselves in different financial situations.
Please indicate in your application the amount that you choose to pay.
Tuition: € 120 – €180
To confirm the enrollment, a € 50 deposit is due. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable unless in case of cancellation due to force majeure.
The remaining part of the tuition is due by the beginning of the class
Prato della Valle, Padova
Please note that the tuition does not include accommodation and that participants will be responsible for organizing their staying in Padova. After the enrollment, we will provide a list of useful information and contacts on how to organize your staying in Padova.
For further information about the content of the workshop
and for application and practical enquiries please contact Giovanni Fusetti at
Tel: +39-349-7130121
A SAFETY MESSAGE IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC
The training will happen in the rigorous respect of the anti-Covid regulations of Regione Veneto (social distancing, face masks indoor if the safety distance cannot be maintained, frequent hand sanitizing, sanitizing of surfaces in the studio).
All participants will have to agree in engaging with these rules.
Given the extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus global crisis,, the training will be confirmed ONLY if the Italian scenario will allow the safety necessary to travel and to practice in compliance with the health regulations. The final decision will be taken no later than May 20th 2021. In case of cancellation, all paid deposit and tuition will be refunded.
We are aware that at the moment, April 2021, there are some travel restrictions in place for visitors wishing to come to Italy. You can find the most up to date information on this websitse of the Italian Ministery of Health.
Also, some countries have established travel restrictions towards Italy. You can check your own foreign office to verify what are the travel advice and requirements.
We are aware that these restrictions will make impossible for many to join the training.
We are sad about this and we will organize these workshops again in the future.
PHOTO CREDITS
(1) Helikos Pedagogic Training, Padova, 2019
(2) Helikos, Florence, 2014, Stefano Borghi
(3) Red Nose Training, Melbourne, 2018
(4) Bouffons Workshop, Melbourne, Australia, 2017
(5) Red Nose Intensive, Mlebourne Australia, 2018
Giovanni Fusetti 