About The
Big Sur TheatreLab

 

In a series of Master Classes in the art of Performance Creation, Big Sur TheatreLab provides an annual touchstone for the exploration and realization of the total artist/creator within us..

Through, Acting, Voice and Movement classes the participating artists will develop a vast palate of performance options from master teachers in their field. All the techniques employed imbue the performer with power, precision, and enormous openness. Combined, these disciplines provide expansive and precise vocabularies for ensemble and individual Creation - not to mention unspeakable fun.

Excellent for Actors, Dancers, Singers, Writers, Directors, Choreographers, Teachers and any of the above combination; Big Sur TheatreLab places the artist in a unique venue to further understand and draw on all the aspects of performance, to communicate vivid ideas more clearly, fully and endlessly.

The Master Teachers that come to Big Sur explore and expand their techniques alongside our students, it’s a chance for them as well to take a step further into the development of their work.

"For some performers BSTL ends up being an invaluable touchstone on their artistic calendar, for others it is an opportunity to totally redefine themselves as artists and people. Either way the experience can only be summed up as unforgettable, transformational and joyful."
-- Artistic Director, John Farmanesh-Bocca

The 2008 Faculty
(see Ongoing Faculty
for more information)

RAINA VON WALDENBURG - Acting (confirmed)
Grotowski based physical acting workshop, with the one of the most exciting Acting teachers from NYU's Experimental Theatre Wing.

DANIEL PASSER - Clown (confirmed)

LeCoq based clown and commedia, with one of Cirqe du Soleil's lead clowns visiting from Las Vegas, NV.

ETHIE FRIEND - Voice (confirmed)

Roy Hart based voice work that will take your voice to new and extraordinary heights. Ethie teaches at such prestigious schools as Naropa University in Boulder Colorado and the Roy Hart Institute in France.

WENDELL BEAVERS - Movement (confirmed)

Developmental Movement and Improvisational Dance with one of the great architects of NYU's Experimental Theatre Wing and Chair of the Masters in Performance Art at Naropa University in Boulder Colorado.

ANDREI BELGRADER - Film  (confirmed)
Prolific Director of Stage and Screen, Andrei Belgrader of Yale School of Drama and The Juiliard School re-visits Big Sur for another eye-opening and informative workshop in screen acting. Andrei is most notably known for his direction on  MONK on USA channel, his co-directorship on the film BIG NIGHT and his beautiful stage direction, most recently directing John Turturro in Beckett's Endgame at the  Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) this last Spring .

What People Have Said About Big Sur TheatreLab

"BSTL is Eden. A place where unbounded experimentation, trust, and dedication play a large part in the group finding new sensations, images, techniques, and tools together. It is a testament to the notion that through a generous group process--- we find ourselves. Isolation is not possible, walls are not possible, and static is not possible in such a place of coming together around the prismatic investigation of theater."
-Annie B. Parson, Artistic Director, Big Dance Theatre

"BSTL is a time and place of inexplicable freedom and joyful creativity... ... through an agreement to leap."
-Alix Angelis, NYU, Experimental Theatre Wing, student

"It's the most important 2 weeks of the year for me. The teachers, environment and caliber of work make it the most potent creative exploration and outlet I've experienced."
-Camron Robertson, Graduate NYU, Experimental Theatre Wing

"Big Sur Theatre Lab allowed me to reconnect with the essential elements of the craft--raw creative energy, big play, and simple exposure. I have a deep respect and admiration for the teachers I have been priveleged to work with particularly Raina Fernandez Von Waldenberg and Annie B. Parsons. In vastly different approaches they provided physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges that have ultimately had a deep impact on my ideas of the possibilities of " performance" and the nature of theatre itself. Lastly, I cultivated sincere relationships with people that have continued not only artistically but personally. I made some friends that I treasure more than words. This program is a true gift. I am so glad I chose to give this to myself."
-Gustine Fudickar, actress, Los Angeles, New York

"It's at the same time the most challenging and safest place, where you can to push your self creatively and personally further into those areas that usually intimidate or frighten you or let yourself gently wander into wholly new territories."
-Vincent Cardinale, Graduate Central School of London, CircusSpace

"The setting of Big Sur is magical… It is nestled amongst redwoods with a creek flowing by, and it gives the feel of the earth embracing you. The work we do is so unique and it is an unearthing and expansion of self. This type of training was different than any other acting training I had ever done, and it inspired me to pursue this type of work further. Authenticity and Craft are truly found here."
-Nicolee Nazemi, Naropa University, Performance Art Masters Candidate

"The summer I was at Big Sur Theatre Lab I felt on the edge of many cliffs."
-K.J. Holmes, prolific dancer and Contact Improv instructor, Movement Research NYC.

New to TheatreLab

THE CREATION LAB
This will be a very exciting (optional/supplemental) Six-day Work-Lab following Theatre Lab exclusively for that year’s participants to experiment and create original work.

During the Theatre Lab we will be taking submissions from participants in that year for things they would like to develop or create with one another. Simply - the proposal will be a brief outline of a performance piece you would like to rehearse or explore and we will give you the space free of charge to do it. One-person-show, Dance, Theatre, Film or Performance Art piece using the people you have been working so closely with…whatever you want, just turn in the simple proposal!

It is an opportunity to develop new material, try out ideas, get feedback on your work and manifest your theatrical daydreams with a company of people who speak and move in the same theatrical language. This is a rare opportunity to generate work outside of the performance or educational spheres. It is a structured studio time with a company of people who want to play. It is our dream that the Lab might provide valuable inspiration and research time for you and that full length plays, dance concerts and films might one day be born out of this work.

We understand that for many of you taking another week off is a lot. We think this week is important however, if you can make it work, because it is a time away from the stresses of daily life to begin a project that might not get the attention that it would deserve back in your work-a-day world. It is an investment in you, as an artist.

BSTL WINTER SESSION
Ok, Let’s start the New Year off right! This will be a one-week recharge. There will be a two to three member faculty. Not as expensive as the summer session. Starts on a Saturday and ends on the following Saturday. Very intimate and intense work! A two-day Vow of Silence - followed by an intensive Vocal component and completed by Acting and Movement workshops to rebuild you for the New Year. Faculty and program details will follow soon…


Big Sur TheatreLab 2008
July 16-26, 2008

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

13th

14th

15th
Travel Day

16th
TheatreLab 1

17th
TheatreLab 2

18th
TheatreLab 3

19th
TheatreLab 4

20th
TheatreLab 5

21th
(Day Off)

22th
TheatreLab 6

23rd
TheatreLab 7

24th
TheatreLab 8

25th
TheatreLab 9

26th
TheatreLab 10

First Half: July 16th - 20th.

Second Half: July 21st - 26th.


BTSL Winter Session 2009
January 3-10, 2008

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

1st

2nd

3rd
WinterLab 1

4th
WinterLab 2

5th
WinterLab 3

6th
WinterLab 4

7th
WinterLab 7

8th
WinterLab 8

9th
WinterLab 9

10th
WinterLab 10

How To Register

Click here to Apply.

Space is Limited
Admission is by Application Submission/ Interview
Send Applications to:

Shakespeare Santa Monica/Big Sur Theatre Lab
c/o John Farmanesh-Bocca
149 S. Barriington Ave.
Suite 608
Brentwood, Ca 90049

A deposit check for $700 made to "Big Sur TheatreLab" must be submitted with each application. This fee reserves a spot for those who are accepted, and will be applied to the total cost of the workshop. The deposit is not refundable. An Accommodations Guide, Waiver and Invoice will be sent to confirm your Reservations.

Space is Limited, So Apply today!!