BANGKOK ARTIST INTENSIVE CLASSES:
KRABI-KRABONG (TRADITIONAL THAI SWORD DANCE):
This ancient method of fighting combines both weapons and empty hand techniques (Muay Thai). Muay Thai is in fact the part of Krabi Krabong which is dedicated to hand to hand combat. However, Krabi-Krabong is primarily a weapons based art.
KHON (CLASSIC THAI DANCE):
The traditional forms as passed down for generations will be taught by one of Thailand's most renowned masters. This most astounding dance is accessible to modern performers and audiences while retaining its purity, giving a strong base of precision, specificity, discipline, grace and clarity of movement. The history and philosophy of the form are an integral part of the training.
THAI KHON (MASKED DANCE):
This is an incredibly challenging, stylized, acrobatic dancetheater form. It requires great physical trust, precision and endurance. Traditionally, a performer specializes in a single role for an entire lifetime.
THAI DRUMMING:
Live music is an integral part of storytelling in the Thai theatrical tradition. Thai Drumming is as much a dance as it is a music performance. Students gain an intensely physical understanding of counterpoint, rhythm, unity, tempo, overall arc and structure of a performance as well as an appreciation of Thai classical music and its relevance to contemporary performance.
MUAY THAI (THAI KICK BOXING):
Muay Thai is one of the most intense martial arts forms, both physically and mentally. Intensely rhythmic and dynamic, Muay Thai engages in both the physical and philosophical aspects of violence within a vehemently non-violent culture.
BUTOH:
Born out of a need to explore the obscured mythology within the artist, this rigorous form of Japanese physical-theater is an intensive exploration of creation, destruction and growth. This class will give the artist historical and cultural context for Butoh and its roots as well as vast practical experience in the creation and exploration of the form.
YOGA & MEDITATION:
Every workday starts with a rigorous session of Kundalini and Ashtanga Yoga, preparing the body, mind, and spirit.
THEATER MITU WHOLE THEATER WORKSHOP:
How does an artist prepare to create work that is rigorously visual, aural, emotional, intellectual and spiritual? This is the core mission of THEATER MITU's WHOLE THEATER training. Led by Theater Mitu Artistic Director, Ruben Polendo along with other company members, this advanced class weaves elements from the classical theater and ritual traditions of Japan, India, Bali, Iran, China, and Mexico into a method of theatrical exploration designed to push western artists in new and unexpected directions. This class further deepens the conversation of culture and performance by engaging the artist in a world conversation while reconciling the relationship between east and west. Focusing on intense physicality, full-bodied vocalization, live music, and powerful tools for connecting theatrical creation and ritual, this class seeks to engage artist in the discipline and rigor of creating theatrically impactful work by exploring THEATER MITU's rigorous training methodology known as the MAJOR STEPS of WHOLE THEATER.
THEATER MITU PHYSICAL THEATER CREATION:
Led by Theater Mitu's Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer & Scenic Designer, Scott Spahr, this class will further the conversation of Whole Theater by dissecting it within the perspective of Western Dance, Dancetheater and choreography. Taking the idea of WHOLE THEATER from the theoretical to the practical and focusing on useful tools for creation, performance and aesthetics.
SYNTHESIS OF EASTERN WESTERN MUSICALITY, COMPOSITION AND SONG.
Led by New York based Artist Ellen Reid (Patravadi Artist in Residence 2005-2007), this class will challenge and question the notions and theories behind the sounds and music that surround us, how they affect us emotionally and spiritually. The conversation then digests all of this within the background of Thailand, both ancient andmodern, as relevant to the East, the West, performance and theatricality
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS:
This is a dynamic series that engages participants in weekly discussion, lectures or hands on workshops. Subjects range from cross-cultural text synthesis, Contemporary Art (a painting workshop with leading Thai visual artists), a Voice Training Intensive, and a Master Classes on theories of Buddhist Acting (led by Patravadi Theater's Artistic Director Patravadi Mejudhon.)
THAI CONTEXT:
This class will provide and facilitate a deep cultural and historical context of Thailand and Bangkok. This class will focus on Thai language, customs and traditions, allowing all participants to engage with our host country in a way that is open and fearless. The class will also consist of continuous outings and trips to further this context.
THERAVADA BUDDHISM:
Thailand is a Buddhist land, and the religion is deeply instilled in every element of the culture. To understand the people, customs, and way of life, it is vital to gain at least a rudimentary understanding of this philosophy. Monks from Wat Po (one of the main Buddhist Temples in Bangkok) visit the Theater to discuss Theravada Buddhism. Participants will learn about various traditions and ritual within the Buddhist context.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES:
The BANGKOK ARTIST INTENSIVE offers several opportunities to participants to take the ideas and experience and explore them by way of creation and performance. The following is a sample of such opportunities:
- STUDIO 9 ART SPACE: This space sits at the side of the Chao Prya river and offers various forms of dynamic programming during the year. Students may have opportunities to perform and create within such a space. The Friday & Saturday program includes Thai performing arts by some of the country’s best talents and award-wining artists supported by Patravadi Theatre. A wide repertoire of performances including music, dance, puppetry and theatre are delivered in a crossover of classical and contemporary flavours. On other days you may be able to catch a glimpse of Patravadi's troupe rehearsal process. Work in this space has included: Solo acrobat, contemporary-classical Thai dance, songs, poetry recital, short dramas, performances by Makwa Band (a band that fuses classical Thai rhythm into pop music), contemporary style Thai drumming and music by “Songkum” ( a team led by Manop Meejamrat, director/choreographer of Patravadi Theatre and winner of 2005 Silapathorn National Award for Contemporary Performing Artists), performances by the Patravadi Acrobats (Thailand's first new circus troupe born under the collaboration of Patravadi Theatre and Canadian company Jerry Snell Industries/ New Circus Asia. Acrobatics) as well as various samples of new pieces and improvisational works.
- THAI DRUMMING: The Thai Drumming class culminates in students creating, choreographing and presenting their own music performances.
- ALL ABOUT ARTS FESTIVAL: ALL ABOUT ARTS Festival is an arts event in Chet Samian district (Ractchburi Province, about 1.5 hours from Bangkok). The festival will offer program participants opportunities to engage in this festival on various levels. The festival aims to engage traditional and contemporary artists in expanding local communities' exposore to contemporary art and culture, and in so doing, to engage these communities in the development of the arts. The festival hopes to both link communitites with contemporary arts, as well as further community members pride of theirtraditional arts heritage, which is a precious gift from the ancestors of Chet Samian. The Chet Samian community has historical sites, which allow possibilities of arts creation, and passing on knowledge and memory of the past.ALL ABOUT ARTS is a monthly event, which takes place the last weekend of every month.
DETAILS AND INFORMATION:
(Please click on the following pages for further information)
CLASSES AND OPPORTUNITIES
TEACHER BIO'S
ABOUT THEATER MITU
ABOUT PATRAVADI THEATER
ABOUT THAILAND
EMBASSY, TRAVEL, VISA AND INSURANCE INFORMATION
GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PAYMENTS
