Arts on Location and the College of Dramatic Arts are to collaborate for a cultural programme, “Khon Thai Classical Mask Theatre Workshop for International Artists”.
Artists from all over the world are welcome to apply for this 3 week- intensive training programme led by the great and nationally renowned teachers of the College of Dramatic Arts.
Khon, Thai Classical Mask Theatre, is one of the most impressive traditional performing arts of Thailand that has survived till our days side by side with a variety of other traditional Eastern theatre practices such as Noh theatre, Beijing Opera and Kathakali drama. Eastern theatre traditions have inspired a variety of internationally renowned artists such as Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine and Eugenio Barba to develop their own unique style and innovative theatrical vocabulary at an international level.
Learning Khon in Thailand will give the opportunity to the artists who will participate to explore this theatre practice in its own cultural context. This is suitable for artists who are equally interested in the practical aspect (the mask and movement techniques) and the anthropological aspect of this theatre tradition.
Taking place in Bangkok, this workshop is a skill-developing cultural programme aiming at performance artists and theatre practitioners from all over the world who have a strong interest in gaining good grounding knowledge in the art of Khon. The participants will take part in a 3 week intensive training programme designed for artists who have little or no knowledge of Thai theatre.
The focus of the 3 week training will be on Khon with a subsidiary subject taught each week. The following subsidiary subjects will compliment and enrich the participants' learning experience: Krabi Krabong (Thai Weapon Arts), Nang Yai (Shadow Puppets), Muey Thai(Thai Boxing). If demand is high, there is a possibility of arranging for additional subjects, such as Thai Classical Music, Thai rod puppets, and Hun Lakorn Lek (Thai Puppets), etc.
Notes: Hun Lakorn Lek training will not be inclusive of the fees.
Contents :
- Study of the main characters Yak(Giant), Ling(Monkey), Phra(Hero), Nang(Heroine)
- Physical behaviour of these characters
- Exercise to acquire the language of gestures appropriate for each mask (Mae Tha)
- Study of the War scene from Ramayana Epic
Lectures :
- Thai culture and religion and its influence on the arts
- Brief History of Khon History and the Ramayana
Subsidiary Subjects :
- Nang Yai (Thai Shadow Puppetry)
- Krabi Krabong (Sword fighting)
- Muey Thai (Thai traditional boxing)
- Thai Classical Music
- Hoon Lakorn Lek
Visits :
In addition to the training, Arts on Location will organise 2 activities, either excursions or visits to shows and performances of traditional Thai arts, or cultural activities, i.e. Lakorn Lek Puppet Theatre, the Royal Rod Puppets Museum, Likay, Muey Thai (Thai Boxing Match, temple visits etc.
Notes: The activities will be arranged in accordance to events happening during the workshop periods and based on the demands and interests of the participants.
For whom :
- Theatre/ performance art practitioners, namely dancers, actors, physical theatre performers, directors, choreographers and drama/performance Students (Undergraduates & Postgraduates)
- Maximum number of participants: 12
At the end of the 3 week workshop, participants will acquire concise skill and cultural knowledge of the art of Khon, and witness its influence to the other Thai traditional performance arts.
Timeline :
Dates: Autumn Workshop: 4 November- 22 November, 2009
The training runs five working days each week, 7 hours per day from 9.30am- 4.30pm with 1 hour lunch break
Place :
The College of Dramatic Arts
2 Rajini Road
Phrabaromaharajawang
Bangkok, 10200
Tel: 0066 2224 1408 , 0066 2225 0197
Certificate of Attendance :
Each participant will receive at the end of the training a Certificate of Attendance, guaranteed by Arts on Location and the College of Dramatic Arts
Fees (2009) :
£600
* The fee is inclusive of accommodation, and 2 cultural actitivities. We can offer advice about your journeys.
How to Apply :
To apply, please send your CV and brief statement about why you would like to take part in this programme to: application@artsonlocation.net
Upon acceptance, we will ask you to put a deposit of £300 to reserve a place.
(For methods of payment please inquire us directly by email: info@artsonlocation.net)