Professional Adult Workshops

Unique training in Physical Theatre

Axis is dedicated to providing unique training opportunities for emerging and established Vancouver Artists. These professional workshops are taught by qualified, celebrated artists from across Canada. Join us in a fun and educational experience and develop skills for continued creative exploration with limitless applications.

Register for a workshop today!

For more information, please contact our Artistic Director, Chris McGregor at chris@axistheatre.com or
604 669 0631. More details about the past workshops below.

Upcoming Workshops

CLOWN TURN CREATION

Intermediate and Advanced Fools Intensive

Workshop Description:

In this fun and challenging intensive, participants will develop their clown skills and create clown turns, culminating in cabaret-style public performances on Granville Island showcasing their work.

What is a clown turn? Clown turns are devised, repeatable comedic performance pieces using clowning, physical comedy and improvisation. ‘Turns’ appear in many performance genres including variety shows, circuses, cabarets, plays, and full-length clown shows - to name a few. Clown skills are widely transferable and are integral to round out any actor’s tool belt.

Participants will learn about clown logic, improvisation, entrances/exits, how to build comedy, and when to let the gag go. They will build upon their pre-existing clown skills - including finding complicité, using rhythm, embracing the flop, and finding joy - to devise, write, and hone a short clown turn. Each day, participants will develop and test new material to discover what will fly or flop, with the most joyous and ridiculous pieces selected to be featured in the cabaret. The instructor/director, Chloe Payne, will offer feedback and direction, aiding each individual in their development process.

This workshop is perfect for performers with previous clowning experience who want to develop their devising skills and build their confidence in clowning with an audience. 

Performances will take place at the Granville Island Picnic Pavilion on July 14th & 15th, 2023.

How to apply:

There are a total of twelve (12) spots available for this intensive.  Limited registration ensures each participant has ample access to the instructor. 

A short application is required to participate in the intensive. Not all applicants will be offered registration. PLEASE NOTE: Previous experience in physical theatre or clown is recommended.

Axis Theatre is offering four (4) applicants a discounted registration fee: $425 + GST. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must fill out the scholarship questions on their application and identify as a full-time arts student (or recent graduate), IBPOC, LGBTQ2S+, a person with disabilities, and/or neurodivergent and can provide a statement on financial need through a short questionnaire. Register by March 29, 2023 to be eligible for the scholarship.

Axis Theatre champions equity, diversity, and inclusion – in content, creation, performance, and employment opportunities. We make diverse casting decisions, employ many contractors from under-represented marginalized cultural groups, sexual orientations, and neurodivergencies, as well as employ a majority of female-identifying staff, performers, and designers. We are mindful of these five R’s when working with all artists: Respect – Reciprocity – Responsibility – Relational – Relevance.

Important Dates:
June 30, 2023 – Registration Deadline

Workshop dates & times: location TBD in Vancouver, BC
July 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 - 10AM - 4PM
July 10, 11, 12 & 13 - 10AM - 4PM
July 14, 2023 – 2 performances - 4PM & 7PM
July 15, 2023 – 2 performances - 2PM & 5PM 

Cost per participant
$850 + GST - registration deadline is June 30, 2023.

Instructor: Chloe Payne

Chloe Payne is an actor, comedienne, theatre creator, and arts educator. As a graduate of the prestigious physical theatre school École Philippe Gaulier, she uses physical comedy, improvisation, and devising along with text-based creation styles to produce theatre that is funny, relevant, and poignant. She has won multiple grants and awards, including the Mark Purvis bursary for emerging physical theatre artists. She teaches physical theatre and clown for various institutions, including the Vancouver Film School, Axis Theatre, Tightrope Impro Theatre, Rumble Theatre, The University of Toronto, Havergal College, The Storefront Theatre, The County of Simcoe, and Sweet Action Theatre Company. www.chloealicepayne.com

Daily class structure/day:
2 hours of training (20 hours over 10 days)
3 hours of material development (30 hours over 10 days)

Grants:

Professional Development Grants
Canada Council for the Arts: Due June 7, 2023: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/explore-and-create/professional-development-for-artists

Cancellation Policy:

Axis Theatre has developed a cancellation policy that protects our company and instructor, as well as the participants. The deposit is non-refundable.

Full payment of the balance is due before the first day of the workshop, July 3, 2023. This is so we can guarantee booking of the rehearsal space, the budget for costumes, and the fee for the instructor. There are no cancellations or refunds given after July 2nd, 2023. Of course, we understand that things happen, so to be fair, if a participant is fully paid and needs to cancel, we will consider a refund on an individual basis. All participants will receive a receipt for the workshop. Self-employed individuals can claim this on their income tax returns under ‘the cost of professional development activities and specialized training’.

Please contact Daune Campbell at daune@axistheatre.com if you have any further questions.

Past Workshops

MASK MAYHEM ON THE ISLAND

COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE is the lively form of professional Italian mask theatre that flourished in 15th century Europe and has influenced sitcoms, comedy sketch shows, cartoons, and Modern-day clowns. Commedia dell’arte is an actor’s theatre. Are you ready to explore, play and master aspects of Commedia? And then perform it in front of other humans? This workshop will offer it all!

Susan Bertoia is teaching this interactive masterclass which will take participants on a journey through scenarios, physical lazzo, and the stock characters (Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Columbina, Pantalone, Dottore. Il Capitano, and the Young Lovers) using improvisation, movement, and ensemble play. The two weeks will culminate in an imaginative, live, outdoor performance on Granville Island for those brave enough to accept. Traditionally Commedia troupes relied on stereotypical characters, masks, broad gestures, and clowning to play to large, diverse crowds; this will be the starting point for exploration.

CREATIVE PROCESS:
Part 1 - The Physical Practice; The Mask Techniques and Skills
Part 2 - The Commedia Lecture; The Masked Characters; The Lazzi
Part 3 - The Improvised Playing; The Devising; The Scenario
Part 4 - The Rehearsal and Performance

Participants Requirements: This is a masterclass so having some background in physical theatre, movement, dance, circus arts or mask work will elevate your experience. Suitable for performers, theatre designers (props, costume, set, lights, sound); choreographers; drama specialists – basically anyone who has a desire to move, to play, and to have fun with like-minded creatives!

Susan Bertoia
Masterclass Instructor

Susan Bertoia is a professional theatre artist, performer, director, divisor, writer, passionate drama teacher and mom to three amazing humans. Susan’s invigorating artistic style with specialization in physical theatre and mask performance make her a well sought-out teaching artist and performer throughout Canada. Her work explores transposing the poetry of life into comedic and dramatic moments for the stage.

She is Adjunct Professor at UBC teaching acting and mask performance. She conducts numerous creative initiatives in schools. She has facilitated many professional development workshops for teachers with the Association of BC Drama Teachers (ABCDE) who recently awarded her the ‘Excellence in Drama Education’, recognizing her years of dedication and innovative work with youth. Last summer she wrangled, molded, wrote, and directed Juggle Me Not, a commedia extravaganza that performed in outdoor Vancouver venues. She holds a BFA in Theatre Acting from UBC and has trained abroad at schools that specialize in Italian mask theatre (Il Piccolo Teatro di Milan and Donato Sartori International Mask Workshop). She has trained in physical, devised theatre with One Yellow Rabbit; Jeremy James and the UK’s Frantic Assembly. 

To know more about the force that is Susan Bertoia visit: www.susanbertoia.ca

A MASK MAKING WORKSHOP
In 3 Sessions with Frank Rader

This workshop will be live and in-person! In this workshop, Frank will guide you step-by-step through his complete mask making process, which he has developed and tested over many years. Using one of Frank’s plaster molds, paper and glue, participants will make a full expressive mask. This will happen, in person, over three group classes and Frank will walk you through each step of the process. Chris McGregor, Artistic Director of Axis Theatre, will be with him making a mask at the same time, so you will be able to watch and participate, with feedback, over each step of the process.

The three sessions will be spread over the course of a few weeks so the required drying time can be achieved for your mask. You can’t rush perfection! Frank will also be available at a set time and day between classes to answer any of your questions and assist you in any way he can.

As a participant in the workshop, you will receive a package containing most of the materials you will need including the mask mold, (which will be returned after the workshop) paper, glue and paint to make your mask. Also included is a detailed step by step description of his process.

You can chose your mold from the masks you see above. These masks are very strong and light. They can withstand the rigours of performing and teaching for many years.

ABOUT FRANK

Frank Rader is a mask-maker, puppet-maker and educator of over 40 years of experience. His work has offered him the opportunity to work with many talented performers, teachers and other artists, including Donato Sartori in Padua, Italy.

Theatre educators across North America and Europe have been utilizing Frank’s masks for decades. They are noted for their wide range of playability and expression, allowing the actor to explore an extensive variety of physical and emotional characteristics.

They also have proved themselves to be extremely durable and comfortable to wear.

Other than the occasional new coat of paint and replacement of the elastic band, the masks have withstood the rigors of years touring internationally. They are held in numerous private and public collections, including but not limited to, The London Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England, The Victoria College of Art in Melbourne, Australia and the University of British Columbia.

Frank has been designing puppets for over 20 years for a variety of companies including Theatre Bagger and Mortal Coil Performance Society, both of Vancouver. His puppet designs for the acclaimed children’s show The Little Old Man were nominated for a 2009 Jessie Richardson award. His Mr. Hatch puppet for Axis Theatre Company’s production of Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch won an Outstanding Design for Puppet Creation Jessie in 2017. He shared this award with Barbra Clayden who created the costume for Mr. Hatch.

As an educator he has worked for many institutions, most extensively as a high school art teacher. He taught grades 8-12, with a focus on International Baccalaureate and students with disabilities. His classes covered all mediums of visual art, including art theory and history. Outside of the public education system, he has taught many mask workshops, including courses for at risk youth and movement for animators.

Frank Rader is an intuitive and creative instructor who utilizes decades of experience to empower his students and let them explore their skills and creativity.

Intermediate Mask Workshop with Susan Bertoia

Beginner Puppetry Intensive for Artists

Thank you Jeny Cassady for your Beginner Puppetry Intensive for Artists.

Want to learn more about our Workshop Leader Jeny Cassidy? Read her bio!