The New York Mask and Clown Workshop presents
Master Teacher Mario Gonzalez

Master Commedia Dell'Arte Mask and Clown Teacher, Mario Gonzalez, former principal actor with Le Theatre Du Soleil and Master Mask Teacher at the Conservatoire National Superieur D'Art Dramatique in Paris, comes to New York for the first time! This work is designed for professional actors and other performers, yet it also appropriate and useful for teachers, directors, therapists, and others who work with the public.

We will offer two intensive workshop sessions:
June 26 - 30, 2006 from 6 - 10 pm and
July 5 - 12, 2006 from 2 - 6 pm



Taught throughout Europe, this highly structured yet flexible technique has three stages:
LE CHOEUR ("Chorus") is an exercise that develops the essential techniques later used for character work. Using a neutral mask that covers all but the eyes, the actor discovers the tremendous expressive potential in the most basic movement and becomes acutely aware of extraneous or habitual physical patterns and postures. The actor learns to neutralize his personal "character" so that when he or she takes on a role, there is a fresh beginning and the possibility of complete transformation.

This exercise helps the actor to master SPATIAL AWARENESS * TIMING * LISTENING * CONCENTRATION * ECONOMY OF MOVEMENT * SPONTANEITY * PRESENCE * CONTROL OF THE AUDIENCE

Second, in LE NAISSANCE ("Birth"), Mario leads the actor to create a character using masks from the commedia dell'arte tradition. He does not look for strict historical representations of the commedia characters in terms of period or physicality. Instead, he helps the actor find the essence of the classic personalities in characters that emerge from his or her own experience. This supports Mario's focus on training the actor to be specific, present, and decisive in his actions. The NAISSANCE opens whole new avenues of creation, often with stunning and unexpected results. Actors become virtually unrecognizable when their own Harlequins, Pantalones, Captains, and clowns are born.

In the third stage, Mario leads students in IMPROVISATION with texts, songs, props, and interactions with other characters. Through this work, Mario helps each character develop a clear voice, distinct physicality, and presence on the spot.

The workshop atmosphere is relaxed but rigorous. It trains you to be fearless in the face of vulnerability; to use whatever happens -- mistakes, accidents, laughter -- to strengthen your presence and connection with the audience.

You will develop acute attention to detail and clarity of intention. The technique is applicable to all styles of acting; it is so solid and comprehensive that it will remove stress and enable you to do your finest work.

"Through the mask, a character will emerge and take the actor on extraordinary adventures." - Ariane Mnouchkine

"If you can do this, you can do anything." - Mario Gonzalez
Schedule, Rates, and Location





5-Day Workshop: JUNE 26 - 30, 2006
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: $400 ($350 if paid in full by June 20th!)
Enrollment limited to 12 students

8-Day Workshop: JULY 5 - 12, 2006
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Cost: $600 ($550 if paid in full by June 26th!)
Enrollment limited to 16 Students

If taking both workshops: Cost: $800
($750 if paid in full by June 24th!)

White Box Studio Theater
at Fordham University at Lincoln Center
113 West 60th Street (at Columbus Avenue)

$50 deposit required (refundable before June 24th)
Balance due first day of class.

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION
Contact Ariane Anthony: arianeanthony@yahoo.com
(718) 349 - 0008; www.maskandclown.com

No prior experience is necessary.

About Mario Gonzales



Mario Gonzalez, originally from Guatemala, trained in Central America as an actor and moved to France in the late 60s. He spent eight years as a member of Ariane Mnouchkine's Theatre du Soleil, performing acclaimed roles in her productions of LES CLOWNS, LA CUISINE, 1789, and L'AGE D'OR. He also appeared in her films MOLIERE and 1789. With the passion for commedia dell'arte he developed while working with Mnouchkine, he has created his own pedagogy in neutral and commedia mask and clown. He is considered the leading expert in these disciplines in France.

Since 1980, Mario Gonzalez has been the Master Mask and Clown teacher at the Conservatoire National Superieur d'Art Dramatique in Paris, France's national theatre school. At the Conservatoire he has trained some of the most important names in French theatre and film. Mario has given workshops at theatre conservatories throughout the world, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Iran and many countries in Europe, Scandinavia, and Latin America. As a director, he has mounted nearly a hundred productions around the world. This will be his first workshop in New York City.
Save the Date!




July 13th at 8 pm, there will be a performance by The New York Mask and Clown Workshop Faculty, featuring Mario Gonzalez, Ariane Anthony, and Carine Montbertrand at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, hosted by Rachel Cohen/racoco productions.
The New York Mask and Clown Workshop
Galapagos Art Space
email: arianeanthony@yahoo.com
phone: (718) 349 - 0008
web: www.maskandclown.com

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and please forward this to others who might like to join us in this rare and exciting opportunity!