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Each summer since 1989
the International Improvisation School in Calgary,
Canada
has welcomed participants from around the world. Performers
and teachers have come from Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles,
Norway, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United States for this intensive two-week course
in improvisation.
"The International Improvisation
School made a huge impact not only in my professional
career but my personal one as well." Wade Jackson,
The Improv Bandits & Executive Producer of the Covert
Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand.
THE IMPROVISATION PROGRAM: July 27 - August 7
The International Improvisation School
offers performers and teachers the opportunity to work
with instructors and each other in the unique Loose
Moose atmosphere. The principal objectives of the school
are the improvement of improvisors' performance and
teaching skills, the examination of the philosophy and
approach from which improvisational techniques are generated,
and the exchange of experience and expertise in artistic
areas pertaining to improvisation.
This two-week program offers intensive
training in improvisation and related areas. The program
includes an overview of fundamentals, however the primary
focus is on advanced methods, and their application.
As well as covering established approaches, other directions
and formats in improvisation will be examined such as
contact improvisation, masks, and improvised scenography.
There will also be opportunity for participants to meet,
discuss common goals and practices, and share information.
The program is primarily designed as
a gathering for improvisation performers and teachers
who wish to have the opportunity to work directly with
Dennis Cahill, Shawn Kinley, Betty Poulsen and the Loose
Moose Theatre Company. Generally, only performers or
teachers with experience in improvisation,
and an intense desire to learn the ways of the Moose
will be considered. As the nature of this type of improvisational
training is experiential, registrants will be expected
to participate fully.
WARM-UP CLASS: July 25 & 26
Recommended for participants who have experience in improvisation, but without extensive background in techniques developed by Keith Johnstone, or for those who would like a review of the basic exercises and terminology which will be used during the course. Based on suggestions from previous students, this class is also designed as a low stress way of working into the course, and may be helpful for those experiencing jet lag. As well, this class will offer an opportunity to work with selected members of the Loose Moose company, and attend performances prior to the beginning of the main program.
"Years after participating
in the Loose Moose International Improvisation School,
I am still reaping the daily benefits of my training
there." Kathleen Le Roux, Toronto, Canada
IMPROVISATION COURSE - Principle Instructors
DENNIS CAHILL
Dennis is the Artistic Director, and
one of the founding members of The Loose Moose Theatre.
He has developed, directed, written for, and appeared
in numerous productions over the past 31 years. Dennis has been a principle instructor at
all previous International Improvisational Schools and
has led workshops in Australia, Europe, New
Zealand, Japan, and the U.S.A.
SHAWN KINLEY
Shawn Kinley has been performing and
teaching for over 20 years on three continents. He has
made numerous appearances in television and film, created
a circus in Poland and Germany, worked with Cirque du
Soleil, and written a variety of articles for theatre
publications. A member of Loose Moose for over 15 years,
Shawn has been leading workshops in improvisation, contact
improvisation, mask work, mime, and other forms of theatre.
His students have included professional actors, university
students, corporate managers, and children.
BETTY POULSEN
Betty Poulsen is a teacher, dancer,
choreographer, performer and mask
maker whose work has taken her to England, the Middle
East, U.S.A. and
Indonesia. She has a MA in Dance and Movement studies
from Wesleyan
University in Connecticut and 12 years experience teaching
post-secondary. Along with extensive dance background
she has worked in
cross-cultural investigation of dance, mask and theatre
often using
improvisation skills as a catalyst. Students have described
her work as
intensely personal and at the same time personally
liberating. Betty is
thrilled be a part of the Loose Moose International
Improvisation
School.
"Attending the Loose Moose Summer School was incredibly valuable for me. Returning 'to the source' and being on the receiving end of world class and delightful improvisation instruction has directly made me better at what I do." Belina Raffy, Executive Improvisation Consultant, Maffick Ltd., London, UK
MASK COURSE: August 9 – 13
Developing powerful, spontaneous and truthful characters is at the heart of strong acting and improvisation. Masks can be a useful tool for this purpose. They allow us to experience a state of awareness and vulnerability and help us understand what it means to have a "beginner's mind".
In this 5 day workshop students will learn half and full mask techniques with a focus on developing mask characters as described in the final chapter of Impro by Keith Johnstone. Mask work is interspersed with related improvisation exercises as training for the intense character work and to reinforce a spirit of discovery and play. A physical approach with be introduced to allow the body to be ready for the spontaneous and at times rigorous activity of the work. No previous mask training is necessary however students should be ready to participate fully and should come with a spirit of discovery.
The second component of this workshop will be mask making. As it is necessary to have a large variety and choice of expressions to work with, a sufficient number masks will be provided for the course. Students will also make their own masks on clay, out of papier mache, with accessories for facial features. Other techniques may be addressed as well. All participants will leave with a plaster cast of their face and one completed mask. Mask making will be staggered with character development and improvisation.
STEVE JARAND
Steve has been a member of Loose Moose Theatre Company since 1987. When not improvising, he performs children’s nature theatre in schools, mountain parks, museums and zoos, Steve also travels extensively looking for new cultural experiences and attending meditation retreats. Beginning mask work 1998, Steve established the Loose Moose Mask Group and has been collaborating and teaching with Keith Johnstone at home and abroad. Each year he teaches masks as well as improv and puppetry on tours of Europe and Canada.
Visit www.stevejarand.com for more background on the course.
APPLICATION, REGISTRATION & FEES
Applicants are urged to submit their
applications as soon as possible as there are limited
spaces available.
Course Fee:
- register before April 30, 2009 - $1300
- register after April 30, 2009 - $1500
Warm-up Class:
- register before April 30, 2009 - $225
- register after April 30, 2009 - $250
Mask Course:
- register before April 30, 2009 - $550
- register after April 30, 2009 - $600
Fees are in Canadian dollars, and do not include 5% tax or accomodations. Accommodation is available in a student residence facility (S.A.I.T. Residence). Suites accommodate four people, with shared kitchen and individual bedrooms for approximately $47 cdn per day. Use of this accommodation is optional, and is not included in the course fee.
To receive an application form,
or for more information, please contact
Loose Moose.
"This might sound strange, but two weeks with Loose Moose taught me to be average and in doing so changed the way I think about improvisation in theatre and performing in general." Jukka Lindstrom, Helsinki, Finland |
