Steen Haakon Hansen has been teaching impro-techniques at the official theatre schools in Denmark, at GITIS in Moscow, and other theatres and theatre schools in Europe. Today Steen is considered one of the best acting/impro-teachers in his field. His exercises, rooted in the work of Vakhtangov, Etienne Decroux, Yves Lebreton, Mikhael Chekov and Keith Johnstone, brings out the best in the actors he is working with.
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This workshop will take place at the Loose Moose Theatre - South West Entrance, Crossroads Market, 1235 - 26th Avenue S.E.

Fee: $52.50 (GST included)

To register in this workshop please contact us:

e-mail: mail@loosemoose.com
Phone: 403-269-1444

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, Taiwan, 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 26 - August 6
(The Improvisation Course is now full, but we do keep a waiting list in case space becomes available)

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 24 & 25

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 current 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 33 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 30 years on  five continents.  A member of Loose Moose for 25 years, Shawn has been leading workshops in improvisation, contact improvisation, mask work, mime, and other forms of theatre. His students have included professional  actors, athletes, university students, corporate managers, the military and children.  Outside of the Loose Moose, he has worked in television, film, circus as well as visual arts and writing. He speaks no language fluently.

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 8 – 12

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. All fees are in Canadian dollars. Please make cheques/drafts payable in Canadian funds to the Loose Moose Theatre Company. Payment can also be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard). Please send credit card information by mail or contact us by phone - do not send credit card information by e-mail or fax as we cannot guarantee security.

Course Fee:

• register before April 30, 2010 - $1350 + $67.50 GST
• register after April 30, 2010 - $1550+ $77.50 GST

Warm-up Class:

• register before April 30, 2010 - $250 + $12.50 GST
• register after April 30, 2010 - $275 + $13.75 GST
  

Mask Course:

• register before April 30, 2010 - $550 + $27.50 GST
• register after April 30, 2010 - $600 -+ $30.00 GST
  

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.

Receipt of an application will be confirmed in writing. A non-refundable deposit of $300 must accompany the application; the remaining balance is due by May 15, 2010. (If space is no longer available or we are unable to accept your application for any reason, all fees submitted, including the deposit, will be returned. In the event of participant cancellation prior to the program, all fees except the deposit will be returned; in the event of participant cancellation without reasonable notification, the entire fee will be withheld.)

Registration Form (Basically we just need the information, so you can use this form or just send us the required information by e-mail)

For for more information, please contact us.

Send registration to:

Loose Moose Theatre Company
Cambrian P.O. Box 75006
Calgary, Alberta T2K 6J8
Canada
Fax: (1-403) 284-5722
E-mail: mail@loosemoose.com

Telephone: (1-403) 269-1444

"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