DERZX24 Clowning Workshop

Theatre Faculty
Winter 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Pierre Nadaud, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Petra Riou (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Petra Riou
Theater without Borders Department – Dean’s Office – Theatre Faculty – Janáček Academy of Performing Arts
Supplier department: Theater without Borders Department – Dean’s Office – Theatre Faculty – Janáček Academy of Performing Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
FORMA(Z)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives (in Czech)
About the figure of the clown
To meet the clown is to meet an extravagant inner being. A being woven entirely of relationships: relationships with herself or himself, with others, with the life on the stage, with the wide world and with imaginary or invisible worlds.
This work leads to questioning one's relationship with the audience and to strengthening this relationship. The clown and the audience are immersed in a loving encounter full of expectations, surprises, curiosity and bright mistakes.
The clown is a created character by actress or actor but it seems to create it-self: exactly as the character of a novel who dictates its fate to the author. He or she gives the actor and actress the opportunity to explore the theatre they desire.
If the clown, like the actor and actress, inhabits theatrical structures, situations and invented or written words, he or she remains a permanent explorer of the life of the stage.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
What should the course bring to you ?
A practical knowledge of the acting states and dramatic structures that build comedy.
Physical eloquence: your physical vocabulary should become richer, more articulate, and more defined.
Awareness of the artistic and body aspects of acting, of its strengths drawn from imagination, rhythm, and melodiousness.
A more direct and open relationship with the public.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • Lesson 1
  • Discover the place where the clown is born: the circus, the circle.
  • The "balance" (first version), a way of entering the clown state. Emphasis on rhythm, moving the spectator and breathing in the clown entrances.
  • The sequence of entrances: two actors/actresses enter in turn and take care to set the stage and the audience in motion: maintaining the rhythm of the entrances.
  • Guessing what the audience is expecting: discovering an extremely close relationship with the audience.
  • Discussion.
  • Lesson 2
  • Playing with the clown mask.
  • Imitating someone else's posture: an introduction to intimate clowning.
  • Balance, recovery.
  • Yes, and.
  • Prepared entry: provocation, apology, gift. In groups of three.
  • Discussion on the theme of inner observation of acting.
Teaching methods
The process and achievements are discussed with the teacher and classmates.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Active participation in the course is the only assessment criterion.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on course enrolment limitations: předmět je otevřen pouze studentům výměnných programů
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2022, Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Winter 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.jamu.cz/course/difa/winter2023/DERZX24