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 FULLY BOOKED

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 proposes to rediscover contact with the world of children to rediscover the pleasure of play. Everyone will cultivate their own lack of skill in manipulating objects in order to be led towards the tragicomic aspect of the resulting situations. Defect, stupidity, naivety, imbalance, failure, insufficiency, but also authenticity will be encouraged.

Emmanuel Pouilly

Emmanuel Pouilly is an actor, director and teacher. He trained and graduated at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 1991 and was subsequently a member of the Teatro Dimitri Company. In 1997 he co-founded "Le Théâtre de Minuit". For more than a decade he has directed together with Masha Dimitri the International Festival of Street Artists of Ascona. He currently teaches clowning at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri.

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. 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 Dancing: moving images and places

10.–14.08.2020

Each image captures a movement in an instant and makes it “eternal”, like a dance that has “stopped” but could start again in an instant. When physical contact is not possible, images and videos often replace the real, but they can also be the beginning of a new body vitality. The course is aimed at anyone interested in dancing discovering and creating the surprising relationship between movement, image and places, equipped with smartphones, curious eyes and desire to experiment.

Angela Calia

Angela Calia has a degree in Literature with a theatrical specialization (University of Bari, Italy), a diploma in Yoga sensibile® (Rome, Italy) and a Master of Arts in Physical Theatre (Accademia Teatro Dimitri). She works as an artist, researcher and teacher in dance theatre, conscious movement and video dance. In 2017 she founded the Associazione Corpi Narranti, a project that won a European call for proposals for cultural and artistic innovation: she produces short dance videos for international distribution, focusing on the themes of narration and memory of places and the body.