Khon Workshop Thailand :
-
The DirectorAdjjima Na Patalung is currently based in London, UK. She was trained as a sculptor, and graduated with an MA in History of Art at Goldsmiths College, where she developed a strong interest in Performance Arts. Her increased fascination in the subject led her to pursue an MFA in Theatre Directing from Middlesex University.
She has been working extensively as a theatre director, an assistant director, and a set/costume designer in London, Germany, and Thailand.
-
College of Dramatic Arts
The College of Dramatic Arts is a well-established and well-respected institution renowned for its ‘Thai traditional theatre arts’ educational programme. A lot of nationally celebrated artists are graduates of the college. The College of Dramatic Arts has also gained a particularly outstanding reputation for having some of the best experts in Thai theatre arts.
The College of Dramatic Arts
2 Rajini Road Phrabaromaharajawang Bangkok, 10200Tel: 0066 2224 1408, 0066 2225 0197Visit College of Dramatic Arts websiteRelates information about the College of Dramatic Arts :
http://cda.bpi.ac.th- http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/thai-ramayana-lights-up-desert-sky_10022337.html
-
Mentor : Kru Rakop BhodiwedKru Rakop Bhodiwed is the son of the late Kru Thom Bhodiwed, the Royal Khon dancer (Giant Character) during the Reign of King Rama VI. He was the one of the first class of students at the College of Dramatic Arts (1945), and took Khon Giant as his major. He worked as a dancer till his retirement at The Institute of Dance and Drama, The Fine Arts Department of Thailand.
He was the first generation of artists granted with the royal permission from the present King of Thailand to inherit the “Phra Pirab” choreographic sequence, the most prestigious and sacred choreographic sequence of the art of the Thai Classical Dance and Drama.
Currently Kru Rakop is the invited senior expert, supervising at the Institute of Dance and Drama.
-
Project Supervisor : Kru Chulachart AranyanakKru Chulachart Aranyanak is not only a teacher/specialist in the art of Khon Mask Dance Drama practice, but also Thailand’s well-renowned Khon performer/choreographer.
He has performed and choreographed at the National Theatre of Thailand, Sara Chalermkrung Royal Theatre and for numbers of Royal Celebrations. In the present, he is also the Chief Instructor of Noh Dance Drama of Japan at the College of Dramatic Arts. As for his choreographic creation, Kru Chulachart had developed and created many new Thai classical dance choreographies, for example, Thai Warrior Dance, Rabum Asurabongse (Giant Charactors Introductory Dance), Rabum Kotchasri (Mythical Lion Dance) and so on.
He had been invited to give a lecture on Thai Dance Drama in many countries, such as the Philippines and Japan. Kru Chulachart was one of the chosen third generation artists, under the present Monarch Reign, to inherit the “Phra Pirab” choreographic set, the most prestigious and sacred choreographic set of the art of Thai Dance Drama .
-
Instructor (Phra) : Kru Paithul KhemkangKru Paithul Khemkang had been trained in Khon Dance Drama since his elementary school years. He graduated with a BA in Performing Arts at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. He lectures at Chulalongkorn University, Thamasat University, The Department of the Young People of Thailand.
Kru Paithul is widely recoqnised nationally and internationally for his artistic performances particularly as the most important character in the Khon performance, “ Phra Ram” character. In the present, Kru Paithul also inherits the duty of the master of “Wai Kru” ceremony. (see appendices).
Instructor (Giant) : Kru Somsak TadtiKru Somsak Tadti is one of the most senior teachers/artists and a specialist in the art of Khon Mask Dance Drama practice (Giant Character) in the present. He was trained by many great masters of the Thai Classical Dance Drama and graduated with an MA in Performance Arts from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
Kru Somsak is also an enthusiastic researcher and took part in many subjects about Khon performance such as the making of Khon masks, dance costumes, and music. He was one of the second generation artists who was granted with the royal permission from the present King of Thailand to inherit the “Phra Pirab” choreographic set.
Along with his artistic work history, he had created and reinvented many masterpieces such as Ron Norasingha dance suite (The Heavenly Lion dance suite), which was a long lost dance suite, the Rum long-Soang-Tone (costume preparation/dressing up process dance) for the giant character and many more. In the present, Kru Somsak is working as a level 9 specialist instructor at the College of Dramatic Arts
Instructor (Giant) : Kru Julachard AranyanakKru Chulachart Aranyanak is not only a teacher/specialist in the art of Khon Mask Dance Drama practice, but also Thailand’s well-renowned Khon performer/choreographer.
He has performed and choreographed at the National Theatre of Thailand, Sara Chalermkrung Royal Theatre and for numbers of Royal Celebrations. In the present, he is also the Chief Instructor of Noh Dance Drama of Japan at the College of Dramatic Arts. As for his choreographic creation, Kru Chulachart had developed and created many new Thai classical dance choreographies, for example, Thai Warrior Dance, Rabum Asurabongse (Giant Charactors Introductory Dance), Rabum Kotchasri (Mythical Lion Dance) and so on.
He had been invited to give a lecture on Thai Dance Drama in many countries, such as the Philippines and Japan. Kru Chulachart was one of the chosen third generation artists, under the present Monarch Reign, to inherit the “Phra Pirab” choreographic set, the most prestigious and sacred choreographic set of the art of Thai Dance Drama .
Instructor (Ling, Nang Yai) : Dr. Chanai Vennalee EH.DDr. Chanai Vennalee EH.D is one of the Specialist Instructor at the College of Dance and Drama, teaching Khon and lecturing the Theory of Thai Classical Dance Drama for students of an advance level). He will also be teaching Nang Yai
Instructor (Ling, Thai Weapon Arts) : Kru Patanabongse AranyanakKru Patanabongse Aranyanak graduated with a BA in Thai Dance Drama, speicalised in Khon Ling, and is currently the Khon Ling specialist instructor at the College of Dramatic Arts. He will also be teaching Thai Weapon Arts
Instructor (Ling) : Kru Kittipong
Instructor (Nang Yai) : Kru Pradis SilapasombatKru Pradis Silapasombat has trained with many great masters of Thai Classical Dance Drama. He is now working as a specialist instructor at the College of Dance and Drama
Instructor (Moderator) : Kru Teerapat
Instructor (Muey Thai) : Kru Komkrit Kumboh -
The Guest Lecturer : M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs
M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs graduated with Master of Arts and Diploma in Architecture --both from Cambridge University, UK. He retired from governmental services last year when serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture.
Today he is the President of the Siam Society, and the distinguished Scholar of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. His is a specialist lecturer on Thai classical arts and culture, and have been invited as a guest speaker and worked as a project director in many international events, and festivals (USA, and France).
His writing credits include: Handbook for Documenting Oral Information from Knowledgeable Persons in the Locality (in Thai), 2001; Selected Articles by M.R.Chakrarot Chitrabongs, 2004; Approaching the Last Quarter of My Life (in Thai), 2004
-
Coordinator/Assistant to Supervisor : Narong PongpandechaNarong Pongpandecha is at present the Managing Director at the Thai Product International Ltd. Along side his business, he is studying a PHD in Architecture at Chiang Mai University. Narong has over 18 years of Khon training and has been practicing the artform with various famous masters and grandmasters in the role of giant. He was involved in various Khon events in Chiangmai through collaboration with Chaingmai University from 2002-2004 and has organised one of the biggest Khon performances in the North on Thailand in 2004.
Currently, he is teaching Khon to students at The Ban Plainern Palace Thai Dancing School and remains an active member of the Thammasart University Khon Troupe
The Project Manager : Oraphan ArjsamatOraphan Arjsamat is a freelance actress and a theatre director. Having been a TV addict since she was young, she grow up to become deeply interested in acting and later chose to major in Mass Communication and minor in Performing Arts hoping to be a professional actor one day. With a strong determination she even started her career even before she was officially graduated. She has performed in theatres, TV drama, TV commercials and some major films.
After graduated her first degree, she continued her passion for acting by pursuing further education in MFA Theatre Directing at Middlesex University in UK. Living in London gives her a valuable experience and strengthen her enthusiasm over acting and theatre even more. Currently she is guest lecturer teaching performing arts at Chulalongkorn University and works as an acting coach in film projects.
