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CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
The Elysian’s mission to foster artists-in-process and promote bold experimentation in live performance extends to our guest workshops and classes. Like the performers who take the stage of the Elysian Theater every night, we want to help artists build the skills and stamina to create their own work, and to be self-empowered creators and performers.
All levels of experience welcome.
COME PLAY!
BOUFFON 1 (4-Week)
A Satiric Ensemble of mocking madness and mayhem! Students will learn the attitudes and drives of Bouffons- outsiders who love to mock anything and everything. Discover the indulgent pleasure of these anti-clowns through complicity and play and ecstatic mocking.
What’s So Funny? (4-Week)
Trying to be funny isn’t very funny. But oh my word is it funny to be authentic. The clown, above all, seeks to be one hundred percent purely, authentically (even overly and embarrassingly) committed to the truth in the moment. And hence, the ha-ha.
In this 4-week workshop, explore how chasing beauty, depth and vulnerability on stage can lead to comedy on a level that hits harder than you could have ever imagined. Find the funny through the not-so-funny and be amazed by the hilarity in truth.
Language of Nonsense w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
Language of Nonsense w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
The Soft Clown (2-Day)
Unlock your most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is unapologetically centered around sensitivity and earnesty, thoughtfully exploring our creativity in order to experience more exciting and inspired choices in front of an audience. Aim for artistic excellence and land among profound absurdity.
Language of Nonsense w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
Ready? (A Workshop in Readiness) (2-Day)
Are you ready to be the most ready performer on stage? And what does it mean to be ready within collaborative performance? We will explore these questions and discover your own "ready!" through ensemble work, active listening, group connection, improvisational flexibility, and courageous ease as we venture into the unknown onstage.
Ian Farley will be your "READY?" workshop guide through a series of fun exercises and group scenes, taking you into a next level of awareness and confidence when taking the stage as comedic performers in an ensemble. Are you ready for "READY?"
Intro To Nonsense w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
The Soft Clown: A 2-Day Workshop w/ Natasha Mercado
The SOFT CLOWN is a two-day clown performance workshop facilitated by Natasha Mercado on 12/8 & 12/9 from 6:00pm to 10pm. Natasha Mercado has 10+ years of experience as an actor and teacher.
This workshop gives participants a chance to deeply connect with their most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is unapologetically centered around sensitivity and earnesty. The aim is to thoughtfully explore our creativity in order to experience more exciting and inspired choices in front of an audience. Aim for artistic excellence and land among profound absurdity.
The Soft Clown: A 2-Day Workshop w/ Natasha Mercado
The SOFT CLOWN is a two-day clown performance workshop facilitated by Natasha Mercado on 11/20 & 11/21 from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Natasha Mercado has 10+ years of experience as an actor and teacher.
This workshop gives participants a chance to deeply connect with their most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is unapologetically centered around sensitivity and earnesty. The aim is to thoughtfully explore our creativity in order to experience more exciting and inspired choices in front of an audience. Aim for artistic excellence and land among profound absurdity.
Intro Bouffon Workshop w/ Eric Davis
Intro Bouffon Workshop w/ Eric Davis.
BOUFFON: A Satiric Ensemble of Anti-Clowns!
Unleash your inner Bouffon in an explosion of fun and comedy gold.
Imagine a wild-eyed pack of Players, ecstatic to mock anything and everything. Ridiculous, confronting and poetic, this Satyric chorus teeters on the edge of fun and uncomfortable truth.
How is Bouffon related to Clown?
The World laughs at the Clown, but the Bouffons laugh at the World!
Suitable for actors, clowns, comedians, improvisers, dancers, devisors and anyone investigating pleasure, play and fun.
ROMANCING THE MUSE: A DEVISING WORKSHOP W/ GEMMA SOLDATI (2 Day)
Romancing the Muse
A devising workshop for clowns and comedic performers with Gemma Soldati
Drama for Comedians: A dramatic scene study class
Drama for Comedians is a workshop focused on the craft of storytelling for actors and performers used to funny business, who yearn to sink their teeth into a dramatic theater role. With a strong emphasis on script analysis, intention-driven practical technique, and improvisational moment work, we will focus on how to fall deeply in love with the material, make vivid and nuanced choices, and bring the most dynamic range of expressivity to our work, so that characters we play reflect the multitudes that we contain.
Save The Show: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A two-day intensive, on 10/28 & 10/29 from 10am-2pm culminating in a class show, that explores the basic principles and psychology of clown work. Students will leave this class having learned how to be less verbal and more physical, to commit to their most joyful impulses, embrace failure and play with the audience, instead of for them.
For students at all levels – from experienced performers looking to sharpen their fundamentals, to newcomers interested in being more playful and free.
The Soft Clown: A 2-Day Workshop w/ Natasha Mercado
The SOFT CLOWN is a two-day clown performance workshop facilitated by Natasha Mercado on 10/20 & 10/27 from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Natasha Mercado has 10+ years of experience as an actor and teacher.
This workshop gives participants a chance to deeply connect with their most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is unapologetically centered around sensitivity and earnesty. The aim is to thoughtfully explore our creativity in order to experience more exciting and inspired choices in front of an audience. Aim for artistic excellence and land among profound absurdity.
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
The Soft Clown: A 2-Day Workshop w/ Natasha Mercado
The SOFT CLOWN is a two-day clown performance workshop facilitated by Natasha Mercado on 9/15 & 9/22 from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Natasha Mercado has 10+ years of experience as an actor and teacher.
This workshop gives participants a chance to deeply connect with their most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is centered around vulnerability as a pathway to artistic excellence. By exploring our creativity in a gentle, patient way, we open ourselves up to experiencing more inspired choices on and off stage.
Intro Bouffon Workshop w/ Eric Davis
Intro Bouffon Workshop w/ Eric Davis.
BOUFFON: A Satiric Ensemble of Anti-Clowns!
Unleash your inner Bouffon in an explosion of fun and comedy gold.
Imagine a wild-eyed pack of Players, ecstatic to mock anything and everything. Ridiculous, confronting and poetic, this Satyric chorus teeters on the edge of fun and uncomfortable truth.
How is Bouffon related to Clown?
The World laughs at the Clown, but the Bouffons laugh at the World!
Suitable for actors, clowns, comedians, improvisers, dancers, devisors and anyone investigating pleasure, play and fun.
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
STAGE PRESENCE ON COMMAND: Workshop w/ Kira Nova
Sat, Aug 26th 2023 8:00PM - 10:00PM & Sun, Aug 27th 2023 12PM - 4PM
The workshop is open to all interested! No matter if you want to perform or not.
a two-day workshop open to all stage artists where you will learn a number of techniques to muster charisma on command in minutes before going on stage; http://oncommand.tilda.ws/
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
Power Trip: Psychedelic Clown Workshop w/ Kira Nova
Sat, July 29, 2023 6:30PM & Sun, July 30 2023 12PM
The workshop is open to all interested! No matter if you want to perform or not.
POWER TRIP IS A THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOP THAT NATURALLY INDUCES A PSYCHEDELIC STATE IN ORDER TO RESTORE A HEIGHTENED ENERGETIC PRESENCE, A SENSE OF BLISS AND MISCHIEF.
Email clowns.on.acid.course@gmail.com to register.
Visit: http://clownsonacid.tilda.ws/ for more information
Save The Show: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A two-day intensive, on 7/20 & 7/21 from 11am-3pm culminating in a class show, that explores the basic principles and psychology of clown work. Students will leave this class having learned how to be less verbal and more physical, to commit to their most joyful impulses, embrace failure and play with the audience, instead of for them.
For students at all levels – from experienced performers looking to sharpen their fundamentals, to newcomers interested in being more playful and free.
The Dust Off Workshop (4-DAY)
A four-day workshop on 7/18, 7/25, 8/1 + 8/8 which will culminate in a solo performance showcase. Are your bits starting to get dusty? Want to create new content, but feeling rusty? Do you smell musty? Then take a shower stinky, but after that sign up for this workshop!
With a focus on fun, each participant will leave the workshop with at least 15 new pieces, new ways to attack idea generation, and will finish with a solo performance! We will work with wigs, props, lighting, movement, music, character, storytelling, and more!
Find new ways to get inspired to create content that is uniquely you. We will explore all of your biggest, funnest, and dumbest ideas until the cows come home (which is in 4 weeks when the class ends.)
Power Trip: Psychedelic Clown Workshop w/ Kira Nova
The workshop is open to all interested! No matter if you want to perform or not.
POWER TRIP IS A THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOP THAT NATURALLY INDUCES A PSYCHEDELIC STATE IN ORDER TO RESTORE A HEIGHTENED ENERGETIC PRESENCE, A SENSE OF BLISS AND MISCHIEF.
2 days of physical, mental and energetic training
4 hrs of games, clowning drills, therapeutic practices
2 guided psychedelic trips (naturally induced)
6 hours of collective physical and energetic work
1 systemic lecture-practicum
JUNE THEME: HOW TO INCREASE YOUR FUCKABILITY RATINGS? Or the power of seduction & comedy
Email clowns.on.acid.course@gmail.com to register.
Visit: http://clownsonacid.tilda.ws/ for more information
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
The Soft Clown: A 2-Day Workshop w/ Natasha Mercado
The SOFT CLOWN is a two-day clown performance workshop facilitated by Natasha Mercado on June 13th/ June 15th from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Natasha Mercado has 10+ years of experience as an actor and teacher.
This workshop gives participants a chance to deeply connect with their most authentic comedic voice. The SOFT CLOWN is centered around vulnerability as a pathway to artistic excellence. By exploring our creativity in a gentle, patient way, we open ourselves up to experiencing more inspired choices on and off stage.
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
Gateway To Clown w/ Corey Podell (1-Day)
Gateway to Clown is designed for stage performers of all experience levels who are “Clown Curious”. In this 4 hour workshop we will combine our performance backgrounds with the fundamentals of clown work to create moments of magic and moments of massive failure. AI CAN’T CLOWN! But YOU can!
Led by Corey Podell
Power Trip: Psychedelic Clown Workshop w/ Kira Nova
The workshop is open to all interested! No matter if you want to perform or not.
POWER TRIP IS A THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOP THAT NATURALLY INDUCES A PSYCHEDELIC STATE IN ORDER TO RESTORE A HEIGHTENED ENERGETIC PRESENCE, A SENSE OF BLISS AND MISCHIEF.
2 days of physical, mental and energetic training
4 hrs of games, clowning drills, therapeutic practices
2 guided psychedelic trips (naturally induced)
6 hours of collective physical and energetic work
1 systemic lecture-practicum
MAY THEME: HOW TO INCREASE YOUR FUCKABILITY RATINGS? Or the power of seduction & comedy
Email clowns.on.acid.course@gmail.com to register.
Visit: http://clownsonacid.tilda.ws/ for more information
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
Gateway To Clown w/ Corey Podell (1-Day)
Gateway to Clown is designed for experienced stage performers who are 'Clown Curious'. In this 4 hour workshop we will apply our backgrounds in improv, stand up, and sketch to the fundamentals of clown work and see that Clown isn't just about 'getting naked and being weird' - promise! So come on in, the water is warm - not because of pee - but because of the love for Clown that will envelope your cold Hollywood heart! (and ok maybe a little pee).
Email to register: podellcorey@gmail.com
The Language of Nonsense: Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani (2-Day)
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?