FREE TASTER CLASS: DEVISING THEATRE

This is the first of a series of 8 online classes exploring the process of devising theatre. It is offered as a free taster to help you decide whether you wish to continue with the course. Please note a recording of the class will be shared with participants of the course.

If you wish to complete the course you will need to subscribe to our Patreon page. See below for details of the 8-week course:

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course will guide you through the process of devising theatre, with reference to past creations by tarinainanika and the Corporeal Mime School of Performing Arts.

Starting from a shared stimulus participants will:

• brainstorm what you want to express and how
• improvise and gradually refine your ideas to craft a solo theatrical expression
• design an ensemble scene that amplifies the drama of your solo using devices such as multiplication and juxtaposition.
• design an ensemble show incorporating other participants’ scenes, constructing an order and inventing transitions to connect the scenes into an integrated dramatic whole.

During the course we will focus on text and action. Participants are free to work on other elements such as music, costumes and lighting in their own time.

We will refer to the technique and creative processes of Corporeal Mime to support choices about posture, rhythm, articulation of action and space. However no prior experience of Corporeal Mime or physical theatre is needed to participate.

There will be 8 real-time online classes. Recordings of each class will be shared with you afterwards so it’s not a problem if you cannot attend every class. As a Patreon subscriber you will also have access to regular technical training classes and videos.

The course will be led in English but people of all cultures and languages are actively welcomed. Written instructions will be provided wherever possible so you can translate using an app, and some spoken guidance in 日本語 and français can be provided, time permitting….

This training is perfect for theatre/dance practitioners, students and teachers looking for new ways to devise theatre that do not rely on plot or script and engage the creativity of all collaborators. It’s also ideal for anyone wanting to explore their creative and expressive potential through the medium of theatre.

The course is led by Tania Coke, co-director of tarinainanika theatre company and the Corporeal Mime School of Performing Arts in Osaka. For more about Tania click here

SCHEDULE: the classes will take place on Saturdays from 7-8.30pm Japan time (11am-12:30pm UK time). Class dates: April 19th, April 26th, May 3rd, May 10th, May 24th, May 31st, June 7th, June 14th. NB no class on May 17th.

FREE TASTER CLASS: newcomers are welcome to attend the first class (Saturday 19th April) before deciding whether to register.

ACCESS: the classes are run via Zoom.

COST: pay-what-you-can via our Patreon page

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT: to register for the full 8 week course, please fill out the registration form https://forms.gle/rSDGYy3eE53R3ouF8 and subscribe to www.patreon.com/tarinainanika where you can set up your monthly contribution. As a guideline we suggest £10-£30 per month. Becoming a subscriber gives you access to weekly technical training classes, our archive of online classes as well as other content including talks and performance recordings.

ABOUT CORPOREAL MIME: Corporeal Mime is a dramatic art based on the expressive power of the body. First conceived by Etienne Decroux in France in the early 20th century it is an independent art with its own distinctive technique, repertoire and creative processes.

ABOUT TARINAINANIKA: tarinainanika is an international theatre company specialising in Corporeal Mime. The company was set up in 2011 by Kentaro Suyama and Tania Coke who also run the Corporeal Mime School of Performing Arts in Osaka. Their original works include Rey Camoy, Tokyo Fugue and Coffee & I which they have performed across Japan and internationally, attracting 5 star reviews as well as funding from the likes of Japan Foundation, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. Kentaro and Tania studied with the legendary Steven Wasson and Corinne Soum (last assistants of Etienne Decroux) and were long-time members of their company, Theatre de l’Ange Fou.