ARTISTS’ GYMNASIUM 2025
Join us for a deep dive into Theatre Encounter’s approach to physical performance, lead by company artist Val Duncan
REGISTER ONLINE or CONTACT US for more information
The Encounter company’s approach is informed by the teachings of Brecht, elements of Grotowski technique, butoh, and others to create a unique Expressionist style of theatre performance, with applications to both experimental and narrative practices in the realms of theatre and dance.
In these workshops, participants will practice:
- Symbolic and Expressionist gesture
- Identifying physical impulse
- The “erotic, grotsque and absurd” tenets of butoh
- Use of text and imagery to generate movement “scores”
DATES:
December 28, 10am to 1pm
January 4, 10am to 1pm
January 11, 10am to 1pm
Participants should come ready to move, with a water bottle and snacks.
Workshop material is cumulative over the three sessions. Receive a $15 discount when registering for all three sessions.
About the Instructor:
Val Duncan has been a member of the Encounter company since 2008, when she began as the company’s first artistic intern. During her internship, she was instructed in Grotowski technique by company founder Michael Unrau, and has gone on to participate as a performer or director in over 20 of the company’s productions. In 2014 she was privileged to study Ankoku Butoh with Butoh GooSayTen of Sapporo, Japan, and brought that training back to the company to enrich their artistic approach. In addition to her work with Theatre Encounter, Val’s seventeen-year artistic career has included work with the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, Cabaret Calgary, Dancing Monkey Laboratories, and in various film and television productions.
Professional Training // Workshops on Demand
Theatre Encounter offers training workshops in our methodology to professional performers on an intermittent basis. Should you wish to be notified of our upcoming professional training sessions, or if you would like to request a program, please contact us.