Whether you’ve dabbled in the basics of mime (with me or otherwise) or never touched the subject this course we will be a great way to gain confidence incorporating pantomime, slap-stick, and clownesque characters into your improv performance. In this class we will go over some mime basics:

- creating tension in order to manipulate a range of different objects

- show how the weight and shape of objects affects how we manipulate them differently

- break down the steps to common actions such as opening doors

We will then use simple scenarios to highlight how our body language can tell an entire story before we as improvisors open our mouths. We will implore physical theater exercises to encourage bold physical character choices that engage and intrigue the audience. And we will of course go over some tried and true slap-stick classics such as the double take, convincing trips, the invisible chair fall, chases and collisions. Hope to see you there!

 

Anya Opshinsky is a German, American mime, actor, director, improvisor, physical theater creator and teacher. Originally from NYC Anya moved to Paris to study physical theater at Ecole Jacques Lecoq 7 years ago. She has been creating, teaching and performing there ever since. Anya is the co-founder of Shift Shape Theater through which she creates and tours original shows the most recent of which is entitled “ROVERS: Two Mimes on the Run” which is currently touring around France. Anya has taught mime, mask-making, clown, physical theater and improv with HUGE Improv, MN, Vis à Vis Théâtre, The Magnet, NYC and Théâtre de Verre, Paris. She also works as a solo artist performing original drag, mask, burlesque and clown pieces in the Parisian cabaret circuit. Anya is excited to have a chance to teach this workshop and co-host “The Ultimate Set-up: An improvised dating show” while she visits Denver this February.