ANGEL OCASIO'S COMEDY

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

IMAN LIZARAZU:

• ECCENTRIC PERFORMING & WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS -- The workshop initially addresses three areas: balance and control of the space, meeting and establishing complicity with the audience and with partners, and problem solving as a method of working on stage. After this introduction, we will explore ways of creating material and finding character. The focus is on activating the internal emotional stage of the audience and helping the actor to always be interested rather than interesting

ALBERT ALTER:

• SILENT COMEDY -- As clowns and physical performers when we perform what we do can be much stronger than what we say.  And good silent comedy added to words can make those words "shout" to the back of the audience. In this "Playshop" you will explore types and techniques of silent comedy.

• SLAPSTICK COMEDY -- Learn some physical comedy moves as well as some of the old slapstick moves; butt kick, slaps, falls.  And, other moves you want to learn.  You will be in charge of what moves you want to learn. Non-violent ways of using the slap stick moves will also be presented. 

• THE CLOWN CHARACTER -- What is THE clown character? Where does it come from, and how do you find it? Does it come from the costume, make-up, nose and cute clown name? What is your clown character? Do I even need to have a character?  This session will include some discussion of clown character and also present physical ways to search out your inner clown and nurture it and help it grow with you.

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BRUCE JOHNSON:

• THE MAGIC OF ORIGAMI -- How to Entertain with Folded Paper Models. This is a class on how to add origami to your art making it ideal for use by caring clowns.  Because paper is usually readily available, origami is also something you can often do impromptu or with minimum preparation.

• CARD MAGIC FOR CLOWNS -- Learn some easy to perform sleights that allow you to do amazing magic effects with cards.  This class will give you the tools to become creative in developing your own card routines.

MARY PAT McCOY:

• STAGE PRESENCE -- A stage can be a living room, a grassy spot in the park, a hospital room, anywhere that you perform. Learn how to gain (and hold) the focus and attention you want from your audience. This hands-on class focuses on your performance self-confidence and energy, how you "set" your personal stage, and ways to engage the audience.

• IMPROVISATION-- Open up the brain to awaken opportunities and endless possibilities.  Through game play, we'll learn the improv basics of expanded listening, spontaneity, and the value of agreement and living moment to moment.  These skills are a sure fire way to make your clown character and stage presence come alive! Say “Yes . . . and. . . ! You’ll be amazed at your own creativity!

MIKE BEDNAREK:

• HOSPITAL CLOWNING: Laughter Is Darn Good Medicine! The goal of the hospital clown or clown doctor is to support the healing process, helping patients deal with the stress of hospitalization by providing humor and laughter-filled distractions from the feelings of fear, helplessness, and sadness. Visiting family members, hospital support staff, and medical staff benefit, too, by the clown doctor bringing some lightness to the hospital environment.  Bring your own stories and experiences to this lively discussion of the issues and practices in hospital clowning today.

• BACK TO THE BASICS: Simplicity, Stupidity, and Truth
  It’s been said that to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may speak. In this session, we’ll look at ways to cut through the clutter in our clowning, create inspired stupidity, and find laughter from our honesty and truth.

• WALKABOUT PHYSICAL COMEDY: Using the Gifts of the Moment Physical comedy comes from the humorous things we do with our bodies and with physical objects, capturing moments of play with our audience. This workshop will explore the opportunities for humor and comedy during walkabouts, when we’re moving from place to place amidst ever-changing human and physical environments and conditions. Come prepared to move and play!

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TRUDI SANG:

• STORYTELLING: A WAVE OF A WAND – POOF A STORY APPEARS! -- Come to a workshop that explores techniques to develop stories that use magic and illusions as visuals.  We will explore story building skills by developing stories that have a beginning, middle, and end with a fun twist.  We will take "everyday" magic and explore how they can be used and adapted to tell a story.  Come with your favorite story and magic and be ready to think outside the book cover!

• GOSPEL CLOWNING-- My purpose and goal is to represent Jesus in what I do and say.  This means I need to give it my all.  I feel that all too often substandard attempts have been made in the past to do this style of clowning.  It deserves the same professionalism and dedication as any performance. It is more than performance—it is a sharing of the heart and soul.  Learn to share the word of God through comedy and dramatic routines. Joining Trudi will be Albert Alter & Angel Ocasio.

ANGEL OCASIO:

• PERFORMING WITH A PARTNER – Two can be better than one. Learn how to work with a partner and showcase your talents without stepping over each other, unless that is what you are looking to do, then learn to do it without muddling the act. This workshop will teach you simple techniques and routines to bring out the best of your partnership.

• COMEDY WITH MUSIC – Do you play the ukulele, the trumpet, a Kazoo or any type of musical instrument? Learn to incorporate it into your comedy routine. Bring your instrument if you have one.

THE STAFF:

• CAN WE TALK? – You have just spent two and half days learning new stuff, but there is still a question or two want to ask regarding the business of clowning, for example, “What if no one laughs at my joke/routine?” or “What if my volunteer helper goes out of control on stage?” Here is your opportunity to ask questions of our professional staff.