The Character Clown

In this course we consciously leave the naive level of the pure clown to dive right into the centre of the world of human inflictions and the ups and downs of failure. Failing in character, failing in relations, and finally failing in the descrepancy between what is and what should be. The character clown is an expert in this field and presents to the audience a whole potpourri of variations in his "staging of failure". Repeated reinterpretations or funny effects show different perspectives. By and by the problem presents itself as a very vital dramatic impulse. So the alleged problem becomes the solution, opening a surprisingly new level of observation and action and thus integrating this impulse into creative play.
The beautiful aspect of the character clown is that development is rendered possible through acceptance and understanding of human implications.
Of course the spectator has the choice to either just laugh at the clumsiness of the clown or to discover himself in the procedure. Anyway laughter will release the mental block, the numbness, and the shock - at least for this moment, all narrow-mindedness has lost its power.

Teacher: Michael Stuhlmiller

Schedule:

• The courses take place once a month; Friday 14.00 to 21.00 h and Saturday 10.00 tp 17.00 h.
• The course includes 3 sessions.

Registration and course fees:
The total price for the further education course "The character clown" is EUR 810.00 (instalments of 3 x EUR 270.00 are possible).

Contents
The advanced techniques of improvisation and drama according to the 4th room of laughter are the content of this course.

• In three sessions we will experience the physical sensation, expression, character, relation level, and the dogma of failure. Clown acting provides the necessary distance in us; we become a mirror for the audience through our staging of failure.
• The 3 blocks will guide the participants systematically with the objective that each of them will be able to develop his/her individual scene accordingly. At least two different stage acts will be prepared and presented by each participant.
• The premises of the school can be used for training and rehearsals, due to availability.

The Character Clown / Course I

Faillure "light" Slapstick

Theory

• theory of failure
• what does "slapstick" mean?
• transition from the pure clown to the character clown

Staging of failure

• slapstick: exercises and studies
• failure as dramatic impulse
• reinterpretation and effects
• failure in handling
• problem-solution-problem-solution
• funny effects

The Character Clown / Course II

Partner and group drama

Theory

• structure and dynamics of failure in duos

Experience of the presentation of failure

• failure in duos
• relation as a mirror
• power games
• how to create your failure relations

Staging of failure in duos

• exercises and studies
• improvisations

Effects and integration

• "yes" in conflicts

The Character Clown / Course III

Staging of failure

Theory

• structure and dynamics of staging

Improvisations and creation of scenes

• individual stage acts and scenes
•  reflection and elaboration

Presentation

• studio show