Nr. 1 Dance and acrobatics (advanced)

06.–10.04.2020

In this course, students will focus on principles of “release-technique”, floorwork, and improvisation elements in dance. Additionally, students will explore forms and conditioning, eclectic figures, timing, and acrobatic efficiency. The experience of the two instructors allows contemporary dance, gymnastics, and acro dance to be combined into one method, using certain principles as a guideline for learning movement sequences. The various tools that will be expanded upon will help students as they develop their own unique styles of movement

Gabrielle Cook and Nat Whittingham

Gabrielle Cook is a contemporary dancer and circus artist. She is a dance and acrobatics teacher for BTEC and graduate students at Circomedia, one of the UK’s leading circus schools. After practicing gymnastics on a professional basis for many years, she trained at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD). Since then, she has toured internationally with dance and circus companies, including: Pirates of Carabina, Tom Dale Company, James Wilton Dance, Becky Namgaud’s, Scarabeus, Aerial, and Acrojou.
She enjoys working in multidisciplinary performances and combines her skills in dance, acrobatics, Chinese pole, and physical theater. Fun and playfulness have a central role in her research and education, and are easily accessible through floorwork and freedom from technique.

Nat Whittingham is a circus artist and acrobat.
He originally trained as a trampolinist before studying teeterboard and acrobatics at L’ESAC.
Since 2016, he has focused more on solo acrobatics, combining traditional gymnastics, contemporary floorwork, and acrobatics. He is resident teacher at Circomedia and the Fourth Monkey Theatre School. In 2017, Gabbie and Nat founded Moving Through Acrobatics.

Nr. 2 Clowning

06.–10.04.2020

The course offers students a chance to reestablish contact with the world of children, and rediscover the joy of play. Each participant will cultivate their own lack-of-skill in manipulating objects in order to reveal the tragicomedy of the resulting situations. Defects, stupidity, ingenuity, imbalance, failure, insufficiency, but also authenticity… all of these qualities will be encouraged!

Emmanuel Pouilly

Emmanuel Pouilly is an actor, director, and teacher. He trained and graduated from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 1991 and was later a member of the Compagnia Teatro Dimitri. In 1997 he co-founded “Le Théâtre de Minuit”. After coordinating the Teatro Dimitri in Verscio, he now teaches clowning at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri.

Nr. 3 Voice and acting

06.–10.04.2020

This course is about finding one’s own voice, developing its sound, opening up spaces of resonance, and playing through improvisation and pre-defined texts. Breathing exercises, voice training, and bodywork are all part of the class, as well as the confrontation with the text. The focus is on understanding the text, content, form, rhythm, and questions about the character. The goal is to unite thoughts, body, and voice, thus enabling the artist’s full presence, supported voice, and freedom to play. Please bring a short text with a text passage, a poem, or a short story.  

Claudia Spörri

After training at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri, Claudia Spörri was a member of the Compagnia Teatro Dimitri for three years. She completed advanced training in voice, language, singing, etc. at the Schauspielakademie Zürich and with Kristin Linklater. Later, she was invited to perform on various stages in Germany. She is co-founder of “Mensch, Puppe! – Das Bremer Figurentheater” where she has been both actor and co-director since 2011.

Nr. 4 The digital actor (advanced)

06.–10.04.2020

Video games, movies, and theaters are hungry for actors who know how to creatively engage in “MoCap”, but there is little experimentation in this regard. The actors who interact with computer devices are not just technical operators: they are 360-degree performers who can use their entire technical palettes (from body to voice) to create video projections, maps, lights, and music around them. With the Motion Capture program and the computer, the actor’s movement is captured and transformed into a “digital creature”. Acting for the purpose of motion detection is referred to as Motion Capture Acting (MoCap).

Sergio Basso

Sergio Basso is a theater and film director. His films have been awarded at various international festivals: Locarno, Annecy, Nyon, Beijing, Turin, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto. He won the China Award in 2016. Since 2001 he has been Artistic Director of the Teatraz Theater Company. He is constantly researching the interaction between actors and new technologies.
www.sergiobasso.com

Nr. 5 Body Weather/Dance (advanced)

20.–24.07.2020

Body Weather is a comprehensive workout created by Min Tanaka in Japan. This performance practice examines the mutual influence of bodies and their environment. It offers the performer basic training, focusing on physical articulation and individual movement patterns. The aim of the training is to sharpen concentration, and to develop imagination and expression through the body, which includes among other things: the segmentation of movement, an examination of different velocities in relation to body and space, an emphasis on consciousness, the relationship to space and time, sensitivity, and sensory development. This intensive workshop is aimed at actors, dancers, and anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of the body. It requires a thorough examination of the body and movement in different and changing environments.

Andrés Corchero

Andrés Corchero was born in 1957 in Puertollano (Ciudad Real). Since 1963 he has lived in Catalonia. Between 1980 and 1985 he studied acting, pantomime, and clown, and has since worked as an actor in the theater and circus. He has studied with Albert Vidal, Odin Teatret and Shusaku Dormu Dance.
In 1985 he discovered Japanese Butoh dance and traveled to Tokyo to study with Min Tanaka and Kazuoh Ohno. From 1986 to 1995 he was a member of Mai-Juku, a dance group under the direction of Min Tanaka. Until 1995, he danced with Mai Juku in Japan, Europe, and the US, and then left this collaborative group to pursue his own creative work in Spain.
He has been teaching for over 30 years and offers regular training and intensive workshops worldwide. He is a regular teacher at the Institut del Teatre de Barcelona (ESAD: School of Dramatic Art and CSD: Dance Conservatory).
In 2015 he staged “Il mondo dei semplici” at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in Verscio.

Nr. 6 Clowning Technique (advanced)

20.–24.07.2020

From writing to staging. During this course, students will learn how to create and produce a “clown number”. The morning is dedicated to a repetition of techniques and training of the clown, while the afternoon is reserved for staging. The prerequisite is that the student already has experience in clowning.  

Bernard Stöckli

Bernard Stöckli initially trained as a stock exchange specialist at the UBS Bank in Lugano. Afterwards, he discovered the art of theater with the masters Pierre Byland (Paris) and Ctibor Turba (Prague). He trained at the Accademia Dimitri in Verscio. He was a member of the Compagnia Teatro Dimitri, with whom he traveled through Europe and Central America. He collaborated for two years with the Circus Monti (CH). He has been a director and clowning teacher since 2001. In 2019, he directed Circus Monti’s “Jour de Fête”.
He is co-founder and member of Compagnia DUE with Andreas Manz, with whom he produced the shows: “La Porta” (2006), “Avanti” (2009), “Libero?” (2012), “SensoUnico” (2014) and “OH” (2016).
www.compagniadue.com

Nr. 7 Theatre course "Over 60"

20.–24.07.2020

The new course of theater for students over 60 is designed for those who have found within themselves the desire to explore their physical expression, improvisation, and the stage. With gentle movements and a comic approach, the participants will share moments of exploration and presentation. Open to anyone over 60.  

Christina Rauchbauer

The Austrian director, choreographer and performer Christina Rauchbauer makes political statements
about theatre and performance for and with young audiences as well as intergenerational projects. Her moving and abstract productions become more
than just a product. They question current theatre formats and focus on the self-empowerment of creative work.

Nr. 8 Voice and movement

20.–24.07.2020

The laboratory combines the use of spoken and sung vocals to body movement: a part of the course will be dedicated to vocal technique and another part to its expressive potential. The aim is to explore multidisciplinary theatrical performance, breaking the barriers of style, and developing the depth of content to pure virtuosity. Everyone can work in their own language.  

Tommaso Giacopini

Tommaso Giacopini earned his bachelor in physical theater at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri; afterwards, he specialized in performance with a master’s degree at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance in London. He currently lives and works in London and Switzerland, presenting his personal creations or collaborating with other companies; he also works as a poet and singer-songwriter.

Nr. 9 Pantomime

20.–24.07.2020

The course is aimed at anyone interested in physical theater, mime, and body expression in general. Participants will practice the “classical” mime techniques, such as dynamic rhythm, isolation, fixed point, steps (on the spot, against wind, slow motion…), the creation of invisible objects, the illusion of the wall, the staircase, etc. Emphasis will be given to making the body as aware as possible of its essence and the different parts involved in the development of an imitated action. Participants will work on the different qualities that can be given to an action, to a gesture, later moving on to the release of the torso, to the body that manipulates or is manipulated by an external force or object. Other techniques that allow the creation of illusions will be discussed, such as zoomorphism and various bodily states. Thus, with pockets full of all these “tools”, students will be able to play, improvise, shape the space, shape themselves, and make the invisible inner-world visible.

Florian Albin

Florian Albin started making theater in 1997 and has not stopped since. He trained in classical and contemporary theater and musicals at the “ATREE Théâtre du Jour” and at the company Pierre Debauche. He graduated in physical theater from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri and then studied physical acrobatics at the Cascades University Campus. For several years, he worked as an actor, dancer, and acrobat with various companies throughout Europe. He continues to direct and perform his creations.

Nr. 10 Clowning

27.–31.07.2020

In this workshop, students will explore the presence and condition of the clown, the pleasure of play, the possibility of being foolish, and the beauty of simply being. For actors, clowns, and non-artists of all levels.    

David Melendy e Céline Rey

Céline Rey and David Melendy, both graduates of the Accademia Teatro Dimitri, are performers in the Swiss and International scene with their production “Les Diptik”, with appearances in various circuses and variétés of Europe, including the Swiss Circus Monti, the GOP Varieté Theater in Germany, and Cascade in the Netherlands. Currently, their show “Hang Up” is enjoying great success in various Swiss locations.

Nr. 11 Dance and improvisation

27.–31.07.2020

This course aims to explore dance through improvisation: learning the freedom of spontaneity of movement while discovering one’s own vocabulary. Specific exercises that focus on the anatomy of the body create precise boundaries that allow for the development of one’s own original artistic universe and thus become the source of the creative creation. This workshop is open to all who are ready to devote themselves to movement, professional and amateur artists, with any level of experience.  

Solange Schifferdecker

Solange Schifferdecker earned her bachelor’s degree in 2009 at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri and completed her studies in physical theater and dance in the Czech Republic and Belgium.
She worked in Switzerland and Belgium, working with theater and dance companies and always trying to combine these two arts. After returning to Switzerland in 2016, she collaborated with Marcela San Pedro, choreographer, and Gabriel Alvarez, theater director. She also completed somatic training at Body-Mind Centering © (BMC). Since 2017 she has offered courses and workshops on BMC.

Nr. 12 Theatrical improvisation

27.–31.07.2020

Through specific exercises, participants will take a personal and collective journey into their own hearts. By freeing physical tensions and limiting judgments, they will make room for the creative and expressive potential that resides in everyone. Improvisation is a means of emancipation for the actor, but it also offers an opportunity to connect to one’s inner fire, confront one’s own obstacles, and of course, have fun! Everything is already there, one must only visit this magical place where everything is possible. Confidence, simplicity, and silliness will be at the center of the work.

Fanny Krähenbühl

Fanny Krähenbühl graduated from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 2014. She later worked as an actor, dancer, and performer in her company, the “Cie Neurone Moteur”, and for other companies in Switzerland (“Thank you for the compliments”, “Peter & Pan”, “Glitzer Fabrik”).
She teaches theater and movement arts in various contexts and, through internships around the world, constantly renews her skills and reflections on what the theater brings to light in human beings. She practices direct, sincere, and authentic art, works in a collective, and loves to juggle with the expressive means at her disposal, creating works between dance, theater, performance, and documentation.

Nr. 13 Clowning

03.–07.08.2020

The course brings together many characteristics, similar to the polarities in ourselves: strength and vulnerability, intelligence and stupidity, dignity and clumsiness. Sometimes we appreciate one and fight the other. How can we accept our “imperfect” side? For us, the art of clowning consists of playing with these polarities, giving space to everything that comes, without judgment. This course will help to explore the perfection of one’s “imperfection”, the strength of one’s vulnerability, and the joy of failure.

Polina Borissova et Igor Narovskis

Polina Borissova received her bachelor in physical theater from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 2013, where she discovered her passion for the figure of the clown. She worked for 5 years as an actress in the traveling theater “Ton & Kirschen Wandertheater”, traveling between Germany, France, and Austria. At the same time, she worked as a singer, musician, and composer in various musical theater projects. Since 2016 she has worked as a clown in “Clowns Without Borders” and “Red Noses Germany” in hospitals, refugee camps, and hospices, traveling in crisis areas such as Greece and Ukraine. In 2017, she received a master in clown with Slava Polunin and Jango Edwards. She has participated in various clown-theater creations from Germany to Russia. She has also taught clown and vocals in Latvia, Ukraine, and Germany.

Igors Narovskis studied psychology at the Baltic University and Gestalt Therapy at the Gestalt Institute in Riga, always with the aim of combining art and therapy. He discovered the emerging movement of clowns in healthcare in Latvia and with “Dr. Klauns” became one of the first clinic-clowns in Riga. Eager to further develop his clowning skills in healthcare and theater, he attended a further education program at the theater studio “Art platform STADIA” in Riga. He also has additional qualifications at the “Doctor Clown School” in Moscow and at “The Dream Doctors” foundation in Israel, where he worked as a hospital clown in Israeli hospitals. After this experience he became active in Latvian prisons as a hospital clown and offered various clown therapy workshops for clowns and therapists. Currently, he is interested in the therapeutic approach to theater, especially the healing function of the clown in the theater.

Nr. 14 Pantomime

03.–07.08.2020

Throughout the week of the course, students will discover and explore the physical ego in all its forms – gesture, emotionality, pantomime – paying particular attention to researching the principles of physical communication. The workshop aims to research the active and passive power of physical communication and it’s own expressiveness.

Roberto Carlos Gerbolés

Roberto Carlos Gerbolés, mime, actor, author, and director, graduated in 1996 from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri. He is currently continuing his artistic career with the company Teatro Blu (Italy), of which he is vice-president and for which he writes, directs, and interprets various shows in collaboration with several prominent artists. He collaborates with the RSI and with the OSI in various productions.

Nr. 15 Introduction to the training of the Accademia Dimitri

03.–07.08.2020

The course is designed for anyone interested in training in the Physical theatre. The focus is on the perception of space and theatrical time, improvisation, movement and its dramatization. The aim is to promote awareness of the body and its language, the desire to play, and the exploration of one’s own imaginative potential.  

Marco Cupellari

Marco Cupellari graduated in history of theater from La Sapienza University in Rome. He holds a bachelor and master in physical theater from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri. For years, he has worked as an actor and director, both in Italy and in Switzerland. Founder and co-director of the PerpetuoMobile Theater, he has presented his shows in Europe and the United States. He regularly conducts improvisation and theatrical composition workshops and laboratories.

Nr. 16 Physical Theatre (advanced)

10.–14.08.2020

A physical theatre consisting of body and voice, a theater of creation, research, writing, and physical scores. A contemporary theatre, inspired by all the questions we face in a society in which each of our everyday actions is a choice either to fight or to defend “the dark side of the force”. An essential, “poor” theatre that realizes itself through the performativity of the actor. A social theater that consists of sharing and interaction.  

Faustino Blanchut

Faustino, author, performer, and dramaturg, graduated from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 2015 and was awarded the SUPSI ThalenThesis Prize and the Migros Culture Movement Theater Prize. At the same time, he was also trained in dance at the Compagnia Tiziana Arnaboldi, with whom he still collaborates today. He works with directors and choreographers such as Volker Hesse and Livio Andreina in Italy, France, and Switzerland.
In 2018 he began collaborating with the ballet group Balletto Civile for the Show Madre, which was performed at the most important festivals in Italy (Oriente Occidente, Piccolo di Milano, Colline Torinese). As an artist, he moderated the 70th anniversary of the ITI (International Theatre Institute) in Hainan, China. Since 2017, together with Natalia Vallebona, he has developed creations in the field of “Physical Theatre”.

Nr. 17 Dance and acrobatics (advanced)

10.–14.08.2020

Applying concepts about “agility”, students will work on balance, coordination, stamina, speed, and strength (BCESS system) to see how they can be used in solo practice as well as with a partner. Students will specifically train to build and cultivate the proprioceptive unknowns within their physiology of motion, to see how artistic creation can be built on a sustainable and holistic approach. In an exploration of current research and vocabulary on “Acrodance”, students will work collectively to broaden their understanding and sensitivity, while interacting within the proposed field of physical exercise. “After working with the acrobatic training that I have developed over the last 10 years, we will explore specific current thoughts and speculations about how to best incorporate my present style of training. Since the practice is based on acrobatics, it will be a present topic, but we will work on many different things, so please be open to all of it.” Winston

Winston Reynolds

Winston graduated from Circomedia. He then completed his bachelor’s degree in ACAPA (Academy of Circus and Performance Art, The Netherlands). As part of his training, he specialized in acrobatic dance and met his partner Axel Guérin. Winston is also a member of the Ferus Animi // Terra Nova Collective, a group of multidisciplinary professionals that conduct research in the field of human physiology and performance through both an artistic and a scientific lens.
He is currently in the new production “Red Haired Men” (Alexander Vantournhout), which premiered in October 2018 in Marseille. Winston researches and works with Tomislav English to support the methodology of Ferus Animi // Terra Nova.
In 2017, Winston & Axel Guérin co-founded their own company Ŷeknom with the idea to capture, design, and share what they had discovered as part of their collaboration. It is an ongoing project that brings together and deepens multiple practices, styles, and forms of movement.

Nr. 18 Magic, juggling, and clowning

10.–14.08.2020

By exploring magic, students will examine what “illusion” is and how a public lets themselves be fooled. Students will learn and practice simple finger skills that are essential to a magician, and they will prepare small tricks which will be presented to enchant other students. Additionally, students will juggle alone or in pairs with different objects and incorporate theatrical and dance expression. On the subject of clowns, we will tell stories with a good dose of humor. Saying a lot – but with few words. Emotional physical theater, authenticity, and enthusiasm are the focus.  

Andreas Manz

Andreas Manz received his education at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in Verscio. He was a member of the Compagnia Teatro Dimitri, with whom he traveled through Europe and Central America. He worked at the Pickle Family Circus in San Francisco and collaborated with John Gilkey (Cirque du Soleil). He also collaborated for two years with the Circus Monti (CH). Directing credits include Circus Monti 2019 with “Jour de Fête”.
He was co-founder and member of the Compagnia DUE with Bernard Stöckli, with whom he has produced the shows: “La Porta” (2006), “Avanti” (2009), “Libero?” (2012), “SensoUnico” (2014), and “OH” (2016).
www.compagniadue.com
He has been a director and clowning teacher since 2001.
He is a regular guest lecturer for psychomotorians and speech therapists at the Hfh Zürich, and gives seminars in body language and team building with Erikkson Consulting (Basel).

Nr. 19 Dance

10.–14.08.2020

Mind, body, and emotions constantly move together in an invisible dance, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in interrupted, non-communicative movements. The practice of “conscious movement and conscious dance” explores this relationship and its expressive possibilities through movement, allowing students to discover this dance and find a greater awareness of themselves and their bodies in the present moment. The sense of play, the curious exploration, and the relationship to others and to space are the basic keys to this approach. The workshop consists of a training that is based on techniques of conscious movement, creative dance, and yoga. The workshop is aimed at anyone over the age of 16; no prior knowledge in the field of movement of dance is required: It is important to have a lot of curiosity and a desire to experiment and play with exercise!  

Angela Calia

Angela Calia is a dancer, choreographer, researcher, and teacher of dance theater and conscious movement. She studied literature with a focus on theater (University of Bari, Italy), earned a diploma in Sensitive Yoga® (Ass. Yoga sensibile®, Rome, Italy) and Master of Arts in Physical Theater (Accademia Teatro Dimitri). She has been studying and practicing various theories of conscious movement for many years, including the 5rhythms®. She works mainly in the field of dance theater and video dance, and deals in particular with creations on the theme “memory of places” and “body memory” as well as the topic of “female identity and women’s rights”. In Puglia, Italy, in 2017, she founded Corpi Narranti, an association born from the idea of developing site-specific narratives in the language of video dance, dance theater, and physical theater, to provide a cultural reflection on the sense of remembering places, and on their care and enhancement.