CLOWN WITCH : NOVEMBER CREATION LAB
Dates/Times:
Thursday November 28 : 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday November 29: 5:00pm -8:00pm
Saturday November 30: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Cost: $250
Early Bird Discount: $225 (Active until November 15)
Union Members, past students and those in financial need receive 20% discount
Location: Sweet Action Theatre at 180 Shaw St. Unit 106
Clown Witch Creation Lab: A workshop that focuses on tapping into the creative spirit of the body for creating new work.
Anchored in the Lecoq pedagogy, we will spend two evenings engaging with our most important tool, our physical bodies. Through solo exploration and group exercises, we will unlock your creative voice and enhance play or “jeu” through deep awareness of the body, the space we inhabit, and the audience.
By day three, we will put these tools into practise with games, creative prompts, and improvisations, resulting in the beginnings of new works.
This workshop is perfect for anyone who is looking to turn off their thinking mind and access their creative spirit.
Guided by three of the core Clown Witch facilitators, Gibum Dante, Chase Jeffels and Shanda Bezic, you will be given a rich perspective of unique ways to access creation and play.
By the end of the three days, you will leave with new tools to add to your own creative practice, the beginnings of new work to offer an audience, and most importantly, a fresh perspective on how to commune with creativity.
Open to all creators and people who want to expand, communicate, and create. All bodies and voices are welcome.
To secure your spot for this workshop, kindly complete the below form and e-transfer to shandabezic@me.com
https://forms.gle/xhf2spH9hMezAMQa9
Payment plans are available if needed.
Accessibility is a driving concern for me. I want all to feel welcome and able to attend if they feel called to. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to the above email address.
Looking forward to getting Clown Witchy with you
-Shanda Bezic
TESTIMONIALS
“Tapping into courage and openness. I think most humans would benefit from this type of work.”
“Building new connections, opening up - being in community on a daily basis. A GIFT. VERY rewarding.”
“It got me out of my head, which I didn’t realize I was in so so much”
“Working with (Shanda) is like being seven years old again running around the backyard playing with my big sister.”
“I believe artists at any stage of their development, no matter their discipline, can learn something new from Shanda's teaching.”
“Shanda is an enthusiastic facilitator. She is driven by the artful practice that she is creating. Shanda is a teacher who tries hard to listen - to what the students want as individuals and what they need as a group.”
“I felt inspired, excited and safe to risk and be vulnerable. Shanda's facilitation was extremely clear and fuelled with support and passion for the techniques she was leading. Her approach to teaching was full of joy, knowledge and space for growth, curiosity and instant forgiveness.”
SHANDA BEZIC (OG Clown Witch)
Shanda Bezic a director, teacher and performer. A graduate of School for Theatre Creators, formerly based in Chicago, focused on Lecoq mask, devised work, circus skills and movement. Bezic has also trained with many other notable teachers in clown, bouffon, improv, writing and movement including Paola Colletto, Christina Catherine Martinez, Carly Heffernan, Adam Paolozza, John Gilkey, and Adam Lazarus. Additionally, she completed the three-year classical theatre conservatory program at George Brown Theatre School.
As an educator, Shanda taught for The School for Theatre Creators (Italy), Bad Dog Theatre, Toronto International Film Festival, Pro Actors Lab, U of T and IYA. She has produced numerous workshops and collaborated with experts from all over the world.
Shanda has a passion for facilitating creation of original work. The most recent show she directed, Happy Medium, premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Bezic’s directing credits also include three original award winning one woman shows that have toured the Fringe circuit playing in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, New York, San Francisco, and Australia. All of Shanda’s directed works use a feminist lens, physical theatre, and the clown spirit.
As a performer, Bezic has played on stage and screen for 20 years. Recent on screen credits include: Brilliant Minds (NBC) Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Culprits (Disney +), Accused (FOX), The Way Home (Hallmark Channel) and animated feature Red Iron Road (Plex and Amazon Prime).
GIBUM D LIM
Gibum D LIM is an actor, physical theatre performer and mover. A first generation Korean-Canadian. He trained at George Brown Theatre School, where he is currently an apprentice teacher in Neutral Mask and Character for Vrenia Ivonoffski.
Recently, he took part in 'Transhumance' for Corpus Dance Projects at Harbourfront Centre, and became an ensemble member for REA’son d’etre Dance for Axis-Syllabus Research Project. He has trained with the clown master, Philippe Gaulier in France, and other notable teachers in Toronto, Montreal, Italy, and the US in theLecoq Pedagogy. He is an avid Contact Improviser dancer. He trains Axis-Syllabus with Kathleen Rea, and with Galiya Tzur from Israel. He continues to explore ridiculousness in himself and others.
CHASE JEFFELS
Chase Jeffels is a graduate of École Jacques Lecoq, the Laboratoire d'Étude du Mouvement in Paris, France and George Brown Theatre School. He has trained under the guidance of renowned master Philippe Gaulier, alongside many other notable international teachers in clown/bouffon/idiot work, including Aitor Basauri, John Gilkey, Chad Damiani, Deanna Fleysher, and Jaime Mears.
As an actor and comedian, Chase's work spans film, television, and theatre. He has performed across Canada, France, and China. Chase is one half of the dynamic duo West 2 West, known for their innovative blend of sketch, clown, and improv comedy, which has left an indelible mark on the Toronto comedy scene.
In his solo endeavors, Chase explores various comedic forms, including improv, sketch, and a fusion of stand-up and clown, always striving to bridge the gap between mainstream comedy and the art of clowning.