Cirque at the Playhouse summer programs for kids and adults in Pasadena starts July 15

 The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced that it will debut CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE this summer featuring two-week programs for youth, teens and adults; and will conclude with an intensive session and showcase for professionals interested in pursuing a career in the circus arts.  The summer program will launch on July 15, with a showcase and festival finale planned for August 17, 2013.

CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE is dedicated to training and nurturing a local and global community of artists of all ages committed to excellence in the study of circus arts, clowning, mask play, aerial arts and all non-fourth-wall styles of theatre.  Guided by professional Cirque artists, CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE dares all participants to explore the magical discipline of Cirque: corporal excellence, aerial wonder, object manipulation and comique prowess as they learn to develop a universal form of communication which crosses language barriers, touches hearts, and elevates the human spirit.

“I am thrilled to bring the beauty and outrageous fun of Cirque to this historic venue, The Pasadena Playhouse,” said Executive Director, Elizabeth Doran.  “How wonderful to fill our space with world-class physical artistry and theater education, building upon The Playhouse’s nearly century long dedication to developing our community, artists and their work.  Pasadena will love this exciting programming, which expands upon the vital momentum we’ve been building over this fantastic 2013 season.”

Stefan Haves, who has worked with Cirque du Soleil since 2006 as a Comic Act Designer, will serve as Program Director and co-producer for the CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE summer program.  He is also a Cirque du Soleil casting partner specializing in clowns and characters and is a master teacher for all Cirque resident companies.  Haves has been a guest lecturer and served as a director at universities nationwide including Tisch School for the Arts (NYU’s New Studio on Broadway).  The programs will be highlighted with special teachers and guest artists who have performed acts across numerous Cirque du Soliel shows and other circus arts productions.

“It is with pleasure we begin this vital, vibrant and important collaboration with Sheldon Epps, Elizabeth Doran and The Pasadena Playhouse,” stated Program Director and co-producer Stefan Haves.  “CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE celebrates the powerful mystique of performing ‘under the big top’ and shines a bright ‘follow-spot’ on the Variety Arts and Vaudeville tradition in America, Europe and beyond.  We invite participants to literally fly into the rigorous process of Physical Theatre training. Since performance is key, all who attend will perform in front of an audience as a final celebration.”

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

YOUTH CLASSES (Ages 8 - 12/Grades 3 – 7)
Two-Week Session from July 15 – 28, 2013
$850.00 tuition fee (Register and submit payment by June 1 and save $100.00)

•       Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. kids will enter a “Big-Top” of fun and explore the world of Cirque and learn to balance gravity, juggling, acrobatics, aerial wonder, clowning, games and play.

•       Led by a dynamic, enthusiastic professional teacher, children also work with and perform for master guest teaching artists. Participants experience the enjoyment of recreation and exercise through circus skills and celebrate imagination through theatre games, costumes, and make-up.

•       This two-week program culminates in a fun final demonstration for families and friends where both participants and master teaching artists perform together on The Playhouse mainstage.

TEEN CLASSES (Ages 13 – 17/Grades 8 – 12)
Two-Week Session, July 15 – 28, 2013
$850.00 tuition fee (Register and submit payment by June 1 and save $100.00)

•       Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. teens will train in skills needed to advance in a career in physical theatre arts.

•       The curriculum is centered in an environment of cooperation, physical benchmarks, laughter, and non-competitiveness, with an emphasis on positivity and inclusion. A sense of freedom emerges within young artists as motivation builds and an ensemble is formed alongside new friends.

•       This two-week program culminates in a fun final demonstration for families and friends where both participants and master teaching artists perform together on The Playhouse mainstage.

ADULT CLASSES (Ages 18 and up)
Two-Week Session, July 15 – 28, 2013
$650.00 tuition fee (Register and submit payment by June 1 and save $100.00)

•       Monday – Friday from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

•       Open to all adults who want to “run away to the Cirque.” This two-week intensive session focuses on radical self-expression, ensemble creation, surpassing perceived physical limitations, discovering and rediscovering personal bliss through the visual, kinetic, and performance aspects of the circus arts aesthetic.  Participants train under the thoughtful and enthusiastic guidance of seasoned professional Cirque and Comique teaching artists.

PROFESSIONAL INTENSIVE PROGRAM
Two-Week Session, July 29 – August 11, 2013
$950.00 tuition fee (Register and submit payment by June 1 and save $100.00)

•       Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with some evening performances/workshops

•       Professional development program, application process and auditions to be announced.

•       Internationally Acclaimed Guest Artists

•       Performance Opportunities / Career Advancement Networking / Housing Available

Specifics of curriculum:
•       The Performer’s Instrument – Body, Voice, Speech, & Imagination
•       The Alexander Technique – Posture, Effortless Locomotion, Flow
•       Play (le jeu) - The naïve power of play, the game, winning and losing
•       Audience Interaction – Victim Work, battling tension and building trust
•       Pantomime – Fixed Point, Illusions, Act Creation
•       Mask – Neutral, Commedia, Buffoon
•       Clowning – Humility, Red Nose, Status, Props, Costume, Act Creation
•       Juggling – Scarves, Balls, Rings, Clubs, Act Creation
•       Aerial Arts – Static Trapeze, Tissue, Circeau, Act Creation
•       Acrobatics –Gymnastics, Contortion, Hand to Hand, Group Act Creation
•       Dance & Movement – Yoga, Tap, Percussion, Comic Choreography
•       Circus Skills – Unicycle, Tight-Rope, Rolla-Bolla, Balancing, Hula-Hoop
•       Non-Fourth Wall Theatre Styles – Melodrama, Improv-Comedy, Vaudeville
•       Directing an Ensemble of Performer/Creators (not Actor/Interpreters)
•       Casting Seminars, Career Advice, Work Resources, Global Outreach

CIRQUE AT THE PLAYHOUSE will be offered this summer from July 15 – August 17, 2013.  Tuition fees are $850.00 per student for the Youth or Teen programs, $650.00 per student for the Adult program and $950 per person for the Professional Intensive Program.  Register and submit payment by June 1, 2013 and save $100.00 on the tuition fee.  The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.  Tuition and registration may be processed by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information, visitwww.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.