Comedic Acting: Two-Day Intensive with Brian Bell

Saturday & Sunday, June 29-30 | 10:00 - 17:00 | €200
Schöneberger Ufer 59, Berlin-TIERGARTEN

One of the keys to life, on stage and on the street, is developing a sense of humor: learning not to take the big stuff too seriously . . . and treating the small stuff with deadly seriousness. This intensive two-day workshop gives participants of all levels an opportunity to discover how to live truthfully in the most absurd of imaginary circumstances. A playful introduction to the basic technique of comedy based on the principles of Jacques Lecoq’s States of Tension as well as a practical guide to physicalizing comedy in both the theatre and improv contexts. Participants will learn the fundamentals of why we laugh, what reads as “comedic” while getting in touch with their own sense of humor and what makes it unique. The workshop consists of physical exercises and scenes, many without words, geared to hone in on the basics of comedic technique:  alertness, timing, focus, and the virtues of failing splendidly.

Whatever your level of experience or your reasons for wanting to explore comedy, you will leave the workshop with basic skills that will serve you across all kinds of creative and professional endeavors.  The workshop is designed to give beginners fundamental tools to create comedic situations and to help experienced performers expand their comedic toolbox.

You will learn by doing, warming up with games and exercises that get you out of your head while heightening the physical tension in your body in order to activate a comedic scene. After an introduction to foundational comedic principles, we will apply those principles to scene work and explore the wide range of creating humor, lightness, and play within existing texts. We will work closely together as an ensemble to work in relation to one another and unlock the comedic potential of the group.

Specific exercises and activities will include:
Physical and Vocal Warmup
Exercises: What does it mean to “Find the game”?
Comedy Analysis: Why is something funny?
Discussion: How do we hone in on our own sense of humor? Sharing comedic inspiration.
Creating and Performing a Scene without text
Adding the principles of tension to a scene with text
Discussion: How do we Create Heightened Comedic Characters?

Instructor: Brian Bell