ABOUT THE INTENSIVE:

Journey into the world of visual storytelling and mask performance with Victoria-based physical theatre company the WONDERHEADS. This intensive will explore fundamental mask and physical theatre techniques, working to develop greater physical awareness and an increased range and clarity of physical expression. Participants will explore what it means to bring a fully realized character to life through dynamic and articulate physical investment. Stretch your creativity, push the boundaries of your physicality and challenge your theatrical inventiveness as you explore what it means to bring the ‘other’ to life. This workshop is intended for Actors, Dancers, Directors, Writers, Teachers, and anyone with a curious spirit.

WONDERHEADS Theatre is committed to equity, accessibility, diversity, and fostering safe, inclusive community spaces. We strongly encourage participation from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, including – but not limited to – those related to race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, physical ability, gender, and sexuality. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of every workshop participant and to creating a space that is equitable, accessible, and welcoming for all. This is a movement-based experience designed for all bodies, and you’ll have the opportunity to share your access needs when you register.

FEES & REGISTRATION:

We are offering sliding-scale pricing for this intensive. The sliding scale allows individuals to pay at a level that aligns with their financial situation, making this experience accessible to more people.

Solidarity: $310 +GST (For those who wish to support inclusive pricing and want to enable others to attend at a lower price)

Regular: $260 +GST (For those who can afford the regular registration price)

Reduced: $210 +GST (For those with a limited budget but still want to attend)

Accessible: $160 +GST (For those who require some financial flexibility to attend)

Limited attendance.

For questions, please contact Andrew Phoenix at theheads@wonderheads.com

SOME DETAILS:

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, we ask for at least one week’s notice. In this case, $50 of your original payment will be retained as a non-refundable deposit. Unfortunately, cancellations made less than one week before the start of the intensive are not eligible for a refund.

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WHAT TO WEAR

This is a physical workshop, so you’ll want to wear whatever is comfortable to move around in. We suggest no jeans or restrictive clothing. There will also be times that you’ll be sitting and observing, so bring a layer for warmth. If possible, we ask that you try to wear neutral clothing – avoid wildly bright colours and huge logos, etc. We recommend either going barefoot or using indoor athletic shoes (socks can be too slippery on the floor for movement work). Lastly, for those who wear glasses, please wear contacts if that’s an option for you, and/or be prepared to work without your glasses when wearing the masks.

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HYGIENE

Masks will be shared among participants and cleaned between uses. In consideration of everyone’s health, we kindly ask that anyone experiencing symptoms of illness or any potentially transmissible condition refrain from participating.

ABOUT THE WONDERHEADS:

WONDERHEADS is physical theatre company specializing in mask performance, puppetry and visual storytelling. Their work is performed in full-face mask, a wordless, whimsical form which has been described as “Utter magic” (CBC) and “Powerful, surprising and moving” (The Globe and Mail).

The co-founding ‘heads’ of WONDERHEADS are Kate Braidwood and Andrew Phoenix, who came together in 2009 resolved to conjure a little magic and wonder into the world. Armed with their respective careers in the professional theatre and a shared background in the most curious of MFA degrees (Ensemble Based Physical Theatre, Dell’Arte International) they set out to create their first show, Grim and Fischer, the story of a feisty grandmother who battles it out with the Grim Reaper himself. This show served as a launchpad for the company and over the past fourteen years they have developed five original productions: Grim and Fischer, LOON, The Middle of Everywhere, The Wilds, and A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, which have toured to festivals and performing arts centres throughout Canada and the United States. The WONDERHEADS also frequently engage in a variety of outreach and teaching activities including workshops, in-depth residencies, lecture demonstrations and master classes.

The WONDERHEADS respectfully acknowledge that we operate on the traditional and unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations.