2022 Amnesia Wars Avant-Prov Workshops

In-person workshops
in New York City
For artists of all disciplines.

Phase I:
Sunday Mar 6 1p-4p 
Sunday Mar 13 1p-4p
Sunday April 24 1p-4p
Sunday May 15 1p-4p

@ Super Secret Arts,
400 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY

No cost to participants.
All levels and disciplines are welcome: Musicians, Dancers, Actors, other Performing Artists
Enrollment is limited.
Priority will be given to those available for consistent attendance.
Participants must show proof of vaccination, and we’ll work in masks until further notice.
No physical contact in Phase I.*

Avant-prov is a style in which ensembles immediately devise shows resembling a hybrid  performance art installation, a modern music-dance concert, an improvisational comedy spectacle, and a Monty Python fever-dream.  
It’s a weird fun thing to do and see.  ART!

Each workshop session will open with basic warm-ups designed to activate us physically, vocally, and mentally.  We’ll then play a series of exercises teaching and reinforcing the techniques and skills we’re focusing upon that day.

Each week these exercises will lead to a series of loosely structured sets combining today’s techniques with those of previous weeks, as well as with our consistent production elements (set, lighting, audio, projection, costumes, props).

We will also do experiments incorporating new (to us) technology such as Playtron and TouchMe MIDI triggers, samplers and drum machines, as well as augmented and virtual reality.

Artists will be strongly encouraged to work in areas outside their primary discipline, and to share their insight and experience when relevant.

Phase I

In our first of four workshops we’ll focus on shaking off the rust and reinforcing our common vocabulary, warm ups, and experiment-starters for future workshops.  This will include scenic/comedic improvisational techniques, improvisational movement and dance, and musical interaction.

In each of the three following workshops of Phase I, we will lead with one of three disciplines:
Music & Sound
Dance & Movement
Scenework & Text

We’ll reinforce and discover techniques for spontaneous creation in each area, and then focus on how they interact.

Participants should come dressed for movement and layered for both warm and cool environments.
A bottle of water and a snack for break is always a good idea.
Instrumentalists are encouraged to bring your instruments.
Punctuality is deeply appreciated and advance notification of lateness/absence is absolutely required.

Some participants are utilizing this workshop series as a training ground for a late-summer avant-prov performance series at Super Secret Arts. 

Others are invited to join as a workout in listening, collaboration, improvisation, and simply to stretch ourselves by picking up a different technique or play in an unfamiliar discipline. 

Or maybe because it’s been covid and we just want to be in a room doing some fun stuff with some fun people.