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A live bouffon seminar written & performed by Jake Tkaczyk Directorial eye from Kristine Nutting Dramaturgical support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 16+ Runtime: 45 mins Zoom Show Times (MDT): Fri. Sept. 24 @ 7pm; Sat. Sept. 25 @ 2pm & 7pm Pay what you will, starting at $7 CDN Herr Frölich is the world’s first German Nihilst life coach. He discovered that traffic cones make excellent megaphones. He also discovered a deep enjoyment for helping people through tough times. In this 45-minute seminar you will change in ways you never imagined. Come have a seat and learn a little about life and a lot about yourself! Batteries not included. Zoom link and performance information provided when you book your ticket. We recommend one ticket and a separate device per audience member. Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Audience Participation, Language: German, Capitalism, Existential Dread references to pop culture that you may or may not be familiar with depending on if you are a millennial or not, and laughs. Jake Tkaczyk (He/Him) is an Edmonton-based theatre artist with a passion for creating new and engaging work collaboratively. He is currently in the midst of his PhD in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute and Liverpool John Moores’ University. Jake has worked as an actor, director, creator, and educator in central Alberta. Jake had the extreme pleasure of working as an Artist Intern at Northern Light Theatre for a few years and is currently the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. Jake recently received the AFA Young Artist Prize. W: jaketkaczyk.com | IG: jdtkaczyk If you would like to make a donation to the Play the Fool Festival, click here:Donate to Play the Fool
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A crackpot comedy written & performed by Adam Keefe Rating: 14ARuntime: 20 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Are you a morning person? If you are, they won’t let me say the list of words I might mutter at that suggestion. But if you’re not, come with me… If you’ve ever wished sudden justice upon intruders to your rest and relaxation (and who hasn’t), this will be your invitation to live vicariously through an ill-tempered and fun-loving tour guide to the wrong side of the bed. Content Warnings: Loud noises, cussin’, sex talk Adam Keefe (He/Him) says “For those of you I haven’t personally ranted upon yet, my name is Adam Keefe, and we’re probably going to find a few chuckles together on this plane crash called Life. I’m a fun-seeking fool with a passion for goofing off and a recreational interest in overthrowing corruption. Maybe you know me from my red-nosed tomfoolery as Rocket? Or perhaps a vacation to madness with my Hunter S Thompson? Either way, I welcome you to Play The Fool for an alchemical transmogrification, from dream to nightmare and back again!” W: Adamkeefe.com | FB: mr.adam.keefe | IG: Adam.Audacious | T: @AdamAudacious
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A short film by Barry BilinskyProduction assistant Kerry Johnson Rating: PG Runtime: 12 minAvailable on-demand Sept 23-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Neech learns the hard way that to love is to risk it all - sometimes there just isn’t much you can do but trust the Universe to carry you through. He learns this through the unexpected (and TOTALLY not his fault) death of his precious Hydrangea. How he copes and what the circle of life has in store is another story. Content Warning: References related to death and mourning Barry Bilinsky is a professional theatre creator of Metis, Cree and Ukrainian heritage. Based in Alberta, he has worked as a director, curator, performing artist, stage manager, and technical/production manager across Canada with projects centred primarily around the proliferation of Indigenous arts, artists, and collaborations. He is on faculty in the Lougheed Leadership Department at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He has studied Drama and English at the University of Alberta, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012. Barry is an Artistic Associate with Dreamspeakers Indigenous Film Festival and Akpik theatre, as well as having been involved in many capacities with: Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts; The Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society; Iiniistsi Treaty Arts Society (REDx Talks); Fool Spectrum Theatre; among others. Barry is committed to developing honest, respectful, and purposefully compassionate creations that challenge the overarching cultural assumptions we often face in the performing arts community.
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A mime show created and performed by Zillur Rahman John Rating: All-agesRuntime: 14 minAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Our lives have been changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This once in a lifetime chapter saw human life filled with struggle, frustration, uncertainty, and fear. However, we will not let this define us as humans, we will not lose hope, and we will continue to fight on for humanity. Zillur Rahman John is a Bangladeshi Canadian mime and pantomime artist, Director, Teacher, Researcher and Author of mime books. He performed in Commonwealth Games Cultural Festivals SUKUM 98 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. He performed the title character in the production of “The Miraculous Mandarin” at the Winspear Centre, with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) in 2015. Author of several Mime and Pantomime books, he has contributed more than 200 articles on Arts and Culture published in the Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Banglapedia), published by the Asiatic Societies of Bangladesh. John received the awards from different international mime and theater festivals in India, Australia, Korea, Japan. In 2009 John was honoured by the City of Edmonton, Canada, with the City of Edmonton Cultural Diversity in the Arts Award. FB: zillurrahman.john | T: JohnZillur
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A red-nose romance written & performed by Kiana WooDramaturgical & directorial support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 14ARuntime: 30 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Feeling fresh and looking for love, Inga finds herself on a date. She’s prepped and preened and ready to fall head over heels, but dates never really go the way you expect them to. And this date might just turn out to be the most peculiar one of all. Content warnings: Alludes to sexual activity Kiana Woo is a Chinese-Canadian actor, mover and creator with a special love for clown, physical theatre, and classical works. Kiana has worked across Canada since graduating from the University of Alberta’s BFA program, spending time in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. She first began to explore clown as a part of her acting training under the instruction of Mike Kennard and she continues to use clown as an active part of her theatre practice. After performing at Play the Fool in 2017 and 2018 as a duo with collaborator Joel David Taylor, this year she is returning to try her hand at solo clowning in a brand new turn. What draws Kiana to red nose clown is how the performer is able to exaggerate genuine feelings and emotions to create story and comedy. Her style leans into the impulses of the clown to find connection with others. She is excited to be back at Play the Fool to present this brand new piece, and hopes you’ll have some laughs with her along the way! IG: @kikihybrid | T: @KianaHybrid | FB: Kiana.Woo
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A loving comedy written & performed by Rebecca MerkleyDramaturgical & directorial support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 14ARuntime: 20 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Jesus Christ teaches the Holy Bible Assembly’s 2nd grade Sunday School class! What does the man who can walk on water have to say about The Good Book! The Plague? Jaywalking? Come find out! Snack provided. Eat at your own risk. Content Warning: Blasphemy Rebecca Merkley (She/Her) says “I joined the industry in 2008 after a stint in the hospital. I’ve been creating, writing and performing professionally ever since. I had a whole other career before the Arts as a Pastor. I even attended Bible College for theology and other “sacred” literature. My take on this character (Jesus) is very tongue in cheek, tastefully blasphemous and based on my own journey leaving a problematic religious intuition.” W: www.dammitammy.com/creators | T: @Bamerkley | IG: @beckymerkley
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Since Nerd Nite September falls on National Truth & Reconciliation Day, we are featuring three Indigenous speakers. NN 61 is on September 30 at 7:30 pm from the safety of your home. Taz Augustine: The Dark Side of Catholicism in Indian Residential Schools “As a daughter of an Indian residential school survivor I believe it is important that the truth be told. Many folks do not know what happened in the Residential schools and the dark role nuns & priests played in ‘killing the Indian in a child.’ I have no fear in bring truth to light.” As an Advocate for the Protection and Inclusion of Indigenous Spirituality, Elder Taz has worked as Indigenous Spiritual Counsellor, and has provided psycho-educational healing ceremonies, workshops, and training within communities and Corrections Institutions for more than 25 years. Her expertise includes Genocide Awareness & Affects, Systemic Racism, Inter-generational Trauma, PTSD, event planning and peaceful activism. Juanita Tallman: Blackfood Sky Stories “I’m Blackfoot and currently live in Missoula Montana and Blood Reserve Alberta. I teach about Blackfoot Culture and love to share my knowledge as the CEO of Niitsitapii. My experience includes Writing-on-Stone Interpretive supervisor and AEUB field inspector, but my Blackfoot knowledge was my choice of study. I’ve learned from elders and have many cultural commitments, which include teaching my children. My main priority is to teach, learn and preserve indigenous peoples culture. I hope to build Niitsitapii up so that we can support other cultures not just Blackfoot as we grow. The Blackfoot have many stories which include the stars and sky beings. I’ll be sharing these stories which have shaped our lives as Blackfoot people.” Sarah Buffalo and Chrystal Buffalo: Science Fiction in Beadwork and Indigenous Communities The Sparkling Buffalo is mother-daughter duo Sarah and Chrystal Buffalo, multidisciplinary artists from Montana First Nation. They combine semi-precious stones with traditional beadwork, seamlessly integrating designs into Indigenized futuristic realities. Through the evolution of the business, the vision that started it all has remained, that of elevating Cree fashion and art in the lens of Canadians, as well as creating an opportunity for Maskwacis culture to be showcased on the International stage. Nerd Nite #61 will be held on Zoom and Fringe TV. You're welcome to join on either platform using the following links below. Consider purchasing a ticket to support Nerd Nite and Fringe Theatre. Zoom: https://fringetheatre-ca.zoom.us/j/84687960559Fringe TV: https://www.tv.fringetheatre.ca/en/c/nerd-nite-61-home-edition-vol-6.1261
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Rating: 14ARuntime: 45 minsLive Zoom Seminar: Sun. Sept. 26 @ 3:00 - 4:30 pm (MDT)FREE ONLINE: Please register for Zoom link In his book, Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy, John Wright says, “If the clown loves the audience and is driven by an insatiable appetite for play, the buffoon [bouffon] hates the audience and is driven by an insatiable appetite for parody.” This form of theatre has the potential to instigate social change, but if practiced irresponsibly can lead to an audience tuning out and resisting whatever message the performer is expressing. Join Jake Tkaczyk as he facilitates a panel discussion with the phenomenal Deanna Fleysher, Ken Hall, Nathaniel Justiniano, and Janice Jo Lee about teaching and practicing bouffon. We will discuss these artists’ different approaches to this format, how bouffon functions as a teaching tool, and reasons why it can be so effective or disastrous in front of an audience. Facilitator: Jake Tkaczyk (He/Him) is an Edmonton-based theatre artist with a passion for creating new and engaging work collaboratively. He is currently in the midst of his PhD in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute and Liverpool John Moores’ University. Jake has worked as an actor, director, creator, and educator in central Alberta. Over the years, Jake has worked on many shows implementing elements of bouffon and physical theatre. Jake had the extreme pleasure of working as an Artist Intern at Northern Light Theatre for a few years and is currently the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. Jake recently received the AFA Young Artist Prize. Panellists: Ken Hall is a Canadian Comedy Award Winner (Best Breakout Artist) and multiple CCA award nominee, including most recently, Comedic Artist of the Year. Ken plays the lovable Herb and provides motion capture as the body of Pogo in Netflix's THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY. Ken is also is one-half of the critically acclaimed comedic duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW with Isaac Kessler and has had the pleasure to work for CIRQUE DE SOLEIL. Ken has appeared in numerous film and television roles including two seasons on TBS’s hit series PEOPLE OF EARTH and has appeared as a guest on CONAN. He has studied clown with master clown instructors, Philippe Gaulier, Francine Cote, Paola Coletto and Aitor Basauri and improv at The Second City (Toronto), iO Theare (Chicago), The Annoyance Theatre (Chicago) and The Upright Citizen's Brigade (NYC). Ken teaches comedic on-camera acting and mindfulness at Bad Dog Theatre, clown and public speaking at The Second City, and improv at The Assembly and The Social Capital Theatre in Toronto. Ken was recently awarded the Frank McAnulty Award for Faculty Instructor of the Year 2019 at The Second City. Deanna Fleysher is a comedy artist, teacher and director devoted to interactive/immersive performance magic. As a performer, she is best known for BUTT KAPINSKI, an immersive comedic experience which has garnered awards and scandalized crowds across North America, Australia, the UK and Scandinavia. Her popular workshops Naked Comedy (Fully Clothed) and Drag King Comedy seek to cultivate fierce vulnerability, audience connection and deep art in professional and semi-professional performers everywhere. Most recently, she has dived deep into clown filmmaking and onscreen play with her Melodrama Zoom-a-Rama and Character Intensive online workshops. Currently, she directs/co-creates solo and duo interactive shows, works toward her MFA in Interdisciplinary Art at Goddard College, and creates tailor-made immersive experiences. Some of her more contentious opinions about bouffon can be found here and here. More about Deanna at www.dontcallitclown.com Janice Jo Lee, aka Sing Hey, is a contemporary folk artist of Korean ancestry. She is a folk-soul singer-songwriter, spoken word poet, actor, bouffon, playwright, and educator. Lee is an award-winning performer who creates looping landscapes with her voice, guitar, trumpet and Korean jangu drum. She is a hard femme queer radical. She says the truth and gets in trouble for it often, on stage and off. She is interested in using art to build flourishing communities based in justice and joy. Her work explores gender justice, antiracism, friendship, community, ancestry and the Earth. Lee’s one-woman musical satire Will You Be My Friend was developed and produced by Green Lights in Kitchener in 2017. The show asks the question: “How can you be friends with white people when they oppress you?” The show made its Toronto debut at Theatre Passe Muraille in October 2018. In Ontario her theatrical work has been produced with Green Light Arts, MT (Multicultural Theatre) Space, Theatre Passe Muraille, and fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre. Lee has facilitated anti-oppression workshops at University of Waterloo, Laurier Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work and Folk Alliance International. She has directed theatre creation programs for racialized youth with MT Space, Le Project N’we Jinan, and Randolph Kids. Lee was born in Tkaronto and formed her early artist career living and organizing in Kitchener-Waterloo, on Haldimand Tract Treaty Territory. She has spoken word training with d’bi young anitafrika, Lillian Allen, and Ian Keteku, bouffon training with Adam Lazarus, Nathaniel Justiniano, and Deanna Fleysher, and physical theatre training with MT Space, and Fadhel Jaibi. Nathaniel Justiniano. Based in Boston, Nathaniel is a queer, mixed-race Puerto Rican born and raised in the barrios and working-class suburbs of Southern California. In 2009, he founded Naked Empire Bouffon Company with an activist mission to devise hilarious, cutting, and visually-provocative satires that catalyze urgent discourse. Naked Empire's bouffon shows have wrestled with the queer community, institutional violence, the fear of death, the american dream, class privilege, western imperialism, and white fragility. He is currently developing an anti-colonial bouffon show about the diasporic Puerto Rican experience. His works have been Official Selections of the Toronto Festival of Clowns, Vancouver's Dancing on the Edge Festival, Victoria's UNO Fest, and Edwardsville's Xfest. He is a two-time winner of the SF Best of the Fringe, SF Bay Guardian's Best of the Bay, Vancouver's Talk of the Fringe, and Edmonton Fringe's Artist Choice Awards.His creative and education work is rooted in social justice and activism, and has been featured recently in Howlround and in American Theatre Magazine. He holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from Dell'Arte International and was a recent guest artist teaching PLAY in the Drama Division at The Juilliard School. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Comedic Arts at Emerson College.
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The Play the Fool Festival is pleased to present: VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND, a clown class with master teacher Shannan Calcutt. An interactive clown workshop for adults 18+ Maximum of 12 participants Pay what you will pricing, starting at $15 CDN Zoom workshop times (MDT): Sat. Sept. 25 11am - 1pm OR Sun. Sept. 26 11am - 1pm IMPORTANT NOTE: Choose either Saturday OR Sunday workshop. Each day is ticketed separately, and features the same material. Play big, risk gloriously and fail better. This class was workshopped and designed to be experienced virtually. It's time to bring the playground into your own home where all the props, toys, and costumes you often wish for in the studio are suddenly at your disposal. Participants must explain to housemates ahead of time that they will be noisy, move throughout the house and be free of inhibitions. It’s recess for grownups! A chance to play, get moving, let loose, be silly and make genuine connections with other fabulous fools. Common side effects include (but are not limited to) feeling more alive, awake, joyful, connected, playful, confident, hopeful, present and creative. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMoR49zpkM0 Shannan Calcutt is sought after as a Performer, Comic Act Designer, Director, Writer, Instructor and Show Creator. A multi-award winning performer and instructor, she has conducted workshops in clown and play worldwide. She is a regular instructor at Cirque du Soleil, Celebration Barn Theater and Vegas Theatre Hub. Her critically-acclaimed solo shows were broadcast on CBC Radio and Canada's Bravo! network. CBC declared her, "a national treasure." Calcutt has played an eclectic range of venues from the Sydney Opera House, to San Francisco's Bimbo's 365 Club, to Saskatoon's Wash 'n Slosh Pub, to the Vegas Strip, where millions of spectators witnessed her attempting to sell her homemade breast implants - Scotch Baggies - during her 15 year run at Cirque du Soleil's sensual sensation, ZUMANITY. She has designed comic acts for Cirque du Soleil, the philanthropic event One Night for One Drop, and Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast, the world's biggest theatre stage. She also worked as an Acting Coach for all three companies. Most recently, she joined Spiegelworld's team of directors and the cast of their newest production, Atomic Saloon. Shannan has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Dramatic Media (UNLV), a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance (UVIC) and is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. Shannan is fluent in English and sarcasm. More blah blah blah about Shannan here: shannancalcutt.com This workshop is made possible through Theatre Alberta’s Workshops by Request: Hometown Series program with support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. https://www.theatrealberta.com/ This workshop is generously supported by the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival.https://edmontonstreetfest.com/ If you would like to make a donation to the Play the Fool Festival, click here:Donate to Play the Fool
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A live bouffon seminar written & performed by Jake Tkaczyk Directorial eye from Kristine Nutting Dramaturgical support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 16+ Runtime: 45 mins Zoom Show Times (MDT): Fri. Sept. 24 @ 7pm; Sat. Sept. 25 @ 2pm & 7pm Pay what you will, starting at $7 CDN Herr Frölich is the world’s first German Nihilst life coach. He discovered that traffic cones make excellent megaphones. He also discovered a deep enjoyment for helping people through tough times. In this 45-minute seminar you will change in ways you never imagined. Come have a seat and learn a little about life and a lot about yourself! Batteries not included. Zoom link and performance information provided when you book your ticket. We recommend one ticket and a separate device per audience member. Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Audience Participation, Language: German, Capitalism, Existential Dread references to pop culture that you may or may not be familiar with depending on if you are a millennial or not, and laughs. Jake Tkaczyk (He/Him) is an Edmonton-based theatre artist with a passion for creating new and engaging work collaboratively. He is currently in the midst of his PhD in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute and Liverpool John Moores’ University. Jake has worked as an actor, director, creator, and educator in central Alberta. Jake had the extreme pleasure of working as an Artist Intern at Northern Light Theatre for a few years and is currently the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. Jake recently received the AFA Young Artist Prize. W: jaketkaczyk.com | IG: jdtkaczyk If you would like to make a donation to the Play the Fool Festival, click here:Donate to Play the Fool
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A crackpot comedy written & performed by Adam Keefe Rating: 14ARuntime: 20 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Are you a morning person? If you are, they won’t let me say the list of words I might mutter at that suggestion. But if you’re not, come with me… If you’ve ever wished sudden justice upon intruders to your rest and relaxation (and who hasn’t), this will be your invitation to live vicariously through an ill-tempered and fun-loving tour guide to the wrong side of the bed. Content Warnings: Loud noises, cussin’, sex talk Adam Keefe (He/Him) says “For those of you I haven’t personally ranted upon yet, my name is Adam Keefe, and we’re probably going to find a few chuckles together on this plane crash called Life. I’m a fun-seeking fool with a passion for goofing off and a recreational interest in overthrowing corruption. Maybe you know me from my red-nosed tomfoolery as Rocket? Or perhaps a vacation to madness with my Hunter S Thompson? Either way, I welcome you to Play The Fool for an alchemical transmogrification, from dream to nightmare and back again!” W: Adamkeefe.com | FB: mr.adam.keefe | IG: Adam.Audacious | T: @AdamAudacious
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A short film by Barry BilinskyProduction assistant Kerry Johnson Rating: PG Runtime: 12 minAvailable on-demand Sept 23-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Neech learns the hard way that to love is to risk it all - sometimes there just isn’t much you can do but trust the Universe to carry you through. He learns this through the unexpected (and TOTALLY not his fault) death of his precious Hydrangea. How he copes and what the circle of life has in store is another story. Content Warning: References related to death and mourning Barry Bilinsky is a professional theatre creator of Metis, Cree and Ukrainian heritage. Based in Alberta, he has worked as a director, curator, performing artist, stage manager, and technical/production manager across Canada with projects centred primarily around the proliferation of Indigenous arts, artists, and collaborations. He is on faculty in the Lougheed Leadership Department at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He has studied Drama and English at the University of Alberta, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012. Barry is an Artistic Associate with Dreamspeakers Indigenous Film Festival and Akpik theatre, as well as having been involved in many capacities with: Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts; The Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society; Iiniistsi Treaty Arts Society (REDx Talks); Fool Spectrum Theatre; among others. Barry is committed to developing honest, respectful, and purposefully compassionate creations that challenge the overarching cultural assumptions we often face in the performing arts community.
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A mime show created and performed by Zillur Rahman John Rating: All-agesRuntime: 14 minAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Our lives have been changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This once in a lifetime chapter saw human life filled with struggle, frustration, uncertainty, and fear. However, we will not let this define us as humans, we will not lose hope, and we will continue to fight on for humanity. Zillur Rahman John is a Bangladeshi Canadian mime and pantomime artist, Director, Teacher, Researcher and Author of mime books. He performed in Commonwealth Games Cultural Festivals SUKUM 98 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. He performed the title character in the production of “The Miraculous Mandarin” at the Winspear Centre, with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) in 2015. Author of several Mime and Pantomime books, he has contributed more than 200 articles on Arts and Culture published in the Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Banglapedia), published by the Asiatic Societies of Bangladesh. John received the awards from different international mime and theater festivals in India, Australia, Korea, Japan. In 2009 John was honoured by the City of Edmonton, Canada, with the City of Edmonton Cultural Diversity in the Arts Award. FB: zillurrahman.john | T: JohnZillur
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A red-nose romance written & performed by Kiana WooDramaturgical & directorial support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 14ARuntime: 30 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Feeling fresh and looking for love, Inga finds herself on a date. She’s prepped and preened and ready to fall head over heels, but dates never really go the way you expect them to. And this date might just turn out to be the most peculiar one of all. Content warnings: Alludes to sexual activity Kiana Woo is a Chinese-Canadian actor, mover and creator with a special love for clown, physical theatre, and classical works. Kiana has worked across Canada since graduating from the University of Alberta’s BFA program, spending time in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. She first began to explore clown as a part of her acting training under the instruction of Mike Kennard and she continues to use clown as an active part of her theatre practice. After performing at Play the Fool in 2017 and 2018 as a duo with collaborator Joel David Taylor, this year she is returning to try her hand at solo clowning in a brand new turn. What draws Kiana to red nose clown is how the performer is able to exaggerate genuine feelings and emotions to create story and comedy. Her style leans into the impulses of the clown to find connection with others. She is excited to be back at Play the Fool to present this brand new piece, and hopes you’ll have some laughs with her along the way! IG: @kikihybrid | T: @KianaHybrid | FB: Kiana.Woo
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A loving comedy written & performed by Rebecca MerkleyDramaturgical & directorial support from Christine Lesiak Rating: 14ARuntime: 20 minsAvailable on-demand Sept 24-30, 2021Pay what you will, starting at $5 CDN Jesus Christ teaches the Holy Bible Assembly’s 2nd grade Sunday School class! What does the man who can walk on water have to say about The Good Book! The Plague? Jaywalking? Come find out! Snack provided. Eat at your own risk. Content Warning: Blasphemy Rebecca Merkley (She/Her) says “I joined the industry in 2008 after a stint in the hospital. I’ve been creating, writing and performing professionally ever since. I had a whole other career before the Arts as a Pastor. I even attended Bible College for theology and other “sacred” literature. My take on this character (Jesus) is very tongue in cheek, tastefully blasphemous and based on my own journey leaving a problematic religious intuition.” W: www.dammitammy.com/creators | T: @Bamerkley | IG: @beckymerkley
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Since Nerd Nite September falls on National Truth & Reconciliation Day, we are featuring three Indigenous speakers. NN 61 is on September 30 at 7:30 pm from the safety of your home. Taz Augustine: The Dark Side of Catholicism in Indian Residential Schools “As a daughter of an Indian residential school survivor I believe it is important that the truth be told. Many folks do not know what happened in the Residential schools and the dark role nuns & priests played in ‘killing the Indian in a child.’ I have no fear in bring truth to light.” As an Advocate for the Protection and Inclusion of Indigenous Spirituality, Elder Taz has worked as Indigenous Spiritual Counsellor, and has provided psycho-educational healing ceremonies, workshops, and training within communities and Corrections Institutions for more than 25 years. Her expertise includes Genocide Awareness & Affects, Systemic Racism, Inter-generational Trauma, PTSD, event planning and peaceful activism. Juanita Tallman: Blackfood Sky Stories “I’m Blackfoot and currently live in Missoula Montana and Blood Reserve Alberta. I teach about Blackfoot Culture and love to share my knowledge as the CEO of Niitsitapii. My experience includes Writing-on-Stone Interpretive supervisor and AEUB field inspector, but my Blackfoot knowledge was my choice of study. I’ve learned from elders and have many cultural commitments, which include teaching my children. My main priority is to teach, learn and preserve indigenous peoples culture. I hope to build Niitsitapii up so that we can support other cultures not just Blackfoot as we grow. The Blackfoot have many stories which include the stars and sky beings. I’ll be sharing these stories which have shaped our lives as Blackfoot people.” Sarah Buffalo and Chrystal Buffalo: Science Fiction in Beadwork and Indigenous Communities The Sparkling Buffalo is mother-daughter duo Sarah and Chrystal Buffalo, multidisciplinary artists from Montana First Nation. They combine semi-precious stones with traditional beadwork, seamlessly integrating designs into Indigenized futuristic realities. Through the evolution of the business, the vision that started it all has remained, that of elevating Cree fashion and art in the lens of Canadians, as well as creating an opportunity for Maskwacis culture to be showcased on the International stage. Nerd Nite #61 will be held on Zoom and Fringe TV. You're welcome to join on either platform using the following links below. Consider purchasing a ticket to support Nerd Nite and Fringe Theatre. Zoom: https://fringetheatre-ca.zoom.us/j/84687960559Fringe TV: https://www.tv.fringetheatre.ca/en/c/nerd-nite-61-home-edition-vol-6.1261
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Rating: 14ARuntime: 45 minsLive Zoom Seminar: Sun. Sept. 26 @ 3:00 - 4:30 pm (MDT)FREE ONLINE: Please register for Zoom link In his book, Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy, John Wright says, “If the clown loves the audience and is driven by an insatiable appetite for play, the buffoon [bouffon] hates the audience and is driven by an insatiable appetite for parody.” This form of theatre has the potential to instigate social change, but if practiced irresponsibly can lead to an audience tuning out and resisting whatever message the performer is expressing. Join Jake Tkaczyk as he facilitates a panel discussion with the phenomenal Deanna Fleysher, Ken Hall, Nathaniel Justiniano, and Janice Jo Lee about teaching and practicing bouffon. We will discuss these artists’ different approaches to this format, how bouffon functions as a teaching tool, and reasons why it can be so effective or disastrous in front of an audience. Facilitator: Jake Tkaczyk (He/Him) is an Edmonton-based theatre artist with a passion for creating new and engaging work collaboratively. He is currently in the midst of his PhD in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute and Liverpool John Moores’ University. Jake has worked as an actor, director, creator, and educator in central Alberta. Over the years, Jake has worked on many shows implementing elements of bouffon and physical theatre. Jake had the extreme pleasure of working as an Artist Intern at Northern Light Theatre for a few years and is currently the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. Jake recently received the AFA Young Artist Prize. Panellists: Ken Hall is a Canadian Comedy Award Winner (Best Breakout Artist) and multiple CCA award nominee, including most recently, Comedic Artist of the Year. Ken plays the lovable Herb and provides motion capture as the body of Pogo in Netflix's THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY. Ken is also is one-half of the critically acclaimed comedic duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW with Isaac Kessler and has had the pleasure to work for CIRQUE DE SOLEIL. Ken has appeared in numerous film and television roles including two seasons on TBS’s hit series PEOPLE OF EARTH and has appeared as a guest on CONAN. He has studied clown with master clown instructors, Philippe Gaulier, Francine Cote, Paola Coletto and Aitor Basauri and improv at The Second City (Toronto), iO Theare (Chicago), The Annoyance Theatre (Chicago) and The Upright Citizen's Brigade (NYC). Ken teaches comedic on-camera acting and mindfulness at Bad Dog Theatre, clown and public speaking at The Second City, and improv at The Assembly and The Social Capital Theatre in Toronto. Ken was recently awarded the Frank McAnulty Award for Faculty Instructor of the Year 2019 at The Second City. Deanna Fleysher is a comedy artist, teacher and director devoted to interactive/immersive performance magic. As a performer, she is best known for BUTT KAPINSKI, an immersive comedic experience which has garnered awards and scandalized crowds across North America, Australia, the UK and Scandinavia. Her popular workshops Naked Comedy (Fully Clothed) and Drag King Comedy seek to cultivate fierce vulnerability, audience connection and deep art in professional and semi-professional performers everywhere. Most recently, she has dived deep into clown filmmaking and onscreen play with her Melodrama Zoom-a-Rama and Character Intensive online workshops. Currently, she directs/co-creates solo and duo interactive shows, works toward her MFA in Interdisciplinary Art at Goddard College, and creates tailor-made immersive experiences. Some of her more contentious opinions about bouffon can be found here and here. More about Deanna at www.dontcallitclown.com Janice Jo Lee, aka Sing Hey, is a contemporary folk artist of Korean ancestry. She is a folk-soul singer-songwriter, spoken word poet, actor, bouffon, playwright, and educator. Lee is an award-winning performer who creates looping landscapes with her voice, guitar, trumpet and Korean jangu drum. She is a hard femme queer radical. She says the truth and gets in trouble for it often, on stage and off. She is interested in using art to build flourishing communities based in justice and joy. Her work explores gender justice, antiracism, friendship, community, ancestry and the Earth. Lee’s one-woman musical satire Will You Be My Friend was developed and produced by Green Lights in Kitchener in 2017. The show asks the question: “How can you be friends with white people when they oppress you?” The show made its Toronto debut at Theatre Passe Muraille in October 2018. In Ontario her theatrical work has been produced with Green Light Arts, MT (Multicultural Theatre) Space, Theatre Passe Muraille, and fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre. Lee has facilitated anti-oppression workshops at University of Waterloo, Laurier Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work and Folk Alliance International. She has directed theatre creation programs for racialized youth with MT Space, Le Project N’we Jinan, and Randolph Kids. Lee was born in Tkaronto and formed her early artist career living and organizing in Kitchener-Waterloo, on Haldimand Tract Treaty Territory. She has spoken word training with d’bi young anitafrika, Lillian Allen, and Ian Keteku, bouffon training with Adam Lazarus, Nathaniel Justiniano, and Deanna Fleysher, and physical theatre training with MT Space, and Fadhel Jaibi. Nathaniel Justiniano. Based in Boston, Nathaniel is a queer, mixed-race Puerto Rican born and raised in the barrios and working-class suburbs of Southern California. In 2009, he founded Naked Empire Bouffon Company with an activist mission to devise hilarious, cutting, and visually-provocative satires that catalyze urgent discourse. Naked Empire's bouffon shows have wrestled with the queer community, institutional violence, the fear of death, the american dream, class privilege, western imperialism, and white fragility. He is currently developing an anti-colonial bouffon show about the diasporic Puerto Rican experience. His works have been Official Selections of the Toronto Festival of Clowns, Vancouver's Dancing on the Edge Festival, Victoria's UNO Fest, and Edwardsville's Xfest. He is a two-time winner of the SF Best of the Fringe, SF Bay Guardian's Best of the Bay, Vancouver's Talk of the Fringe, and Edmonton Fringe's Artist Choice Awards.His creative and education work is rooted in social justice and activism, and has been featured recently in Howlround and in American Theatre Magazine. He holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from Dell'Arte International and was a recent guest artist teaching PLAY in the Drama Division at The Juilliard School. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Comedic Arts at Emerson College.
Online
The Play the Fool Festival is pleased to present: VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND, a clown class with master teacher Shannan Calcutt. An interactive clown workshop for adults 18+ Maximum of 12 participants Pay what you will pricing, starting at $15 CDN Zoom workshop times (MDT): Sat. Sept. 25 11am - 1pm OR Sun. Sept. 26 11am - 1pm IMPORTANT NOTE: Choose either Saturday OR Sunday workshop. Each day is ticketed separately, and features the same material. Play big, risk gloriously and fail better. This class was workshopped and designed to be experienced virtually. It's time to bring the playground into your own home where all the props, toys, and costumes you often wish for in the studio are suddenly at your disposal. Participants must explain to housemates ahead of time that they will be noisy, move throughout the house and be free of inhibitions. It’s recess for grownups! A chance to play, get moving, let loose, be silly and make genuine connections with other fabulous fools. Common side effects include (but are not limited to) feeling more alive, awake, joyful, connected, playful, confident, hopeful, present and creative. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMoR49zpkM0 Shannan Calcutt is sought after as a Performer, Comic Act Designer, Director, Writer, Instructor and Show Creator. A multi-award winning performer and instructor, she has conducted workshops in clown and play worldwide. She is a regular instructor at Cirque du Soleil, Celebration Barn Theater and Vegas Theatre Hub. Her critically-acclaimed solo shows were broadcast on CBC Radio and Canada's Bravo! network. CBC declared her, "a national treasure." Calcutt has played an eclectic range of venues from the Sydney Opera House, to San Francisco's Bimbo's 365 Club, to Saskatoon's Wash 'n Slosh Pub, to the Vegas Strip, where millions of spectators witnessed her attempting to sell her homemade breast implants - Scotch Baggies - during her 15 year run at Cirque du Soleil's sensual sensation, ZUMANITY. She has designed comic acts for Cirque du Soleil, the philanthropic event One Night for One Drop, and Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast, the world's biggest theatre stage. She also worked as an Acting Coach for all three companies. Most recently, she joined Spiegelworld's team of directors and the cast of their newest production, Atomic Saloon. Shannan has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Dramatic Media (UNLV), a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance (UVIC) and is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. Shannan is fluent in English and sarcasm. More blah blah blah about Shannan here: shannancalcutt.com This workshop is made possible through Theatre Alberta’s Workshops by Request: Hometown Series program with support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. https://www.theatrealberta.com/ This workshop is generously supported by the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival.https://edmontonstreetfest.com/ If you would like to make a donation to the Play the Fool Festival, click here:Donate to Play the Fool
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