Director Lynne Bradley teaching Zen Zen Zo
Brisbane based physical theatre company Zen Zen Zo are excited to announce their popular summer training program Stomping Ground will be held at their new home, the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Director Lynne Bradley said that whilst sad to leave the Old Museum in Bowen Hills, their base for the last ten years, the time was right to move on.
“Teaching Stomping Ground is one of the highlights of my year. Meeting so many fascinating artists from all around the country, and the world, is a wonderful way to start our year as a company. This year I’m even more excited than usual, because we’ll be holding the program in our new home – the Stores Studio at the Brisbane Powerhouse – a space of inspiration and creativity!” she said.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart is also excited about the move. “We’re thrilled to have Zen Zen Zo resident at Brisbane Powerhouse. It makes sense given both Brisbane Powerhouse and Zen Zen Zo are about combining the old with the new, great storytelling and entertainment,” he said. 2014 will mark Stomping Ground’s 16th year as a meeting place for artists interested in exploring physical and visual theatre. This annual summer intensive, the first of its kind in Australia, will be led by Zen Zen Zo founders Lynne Bradley and Simon Woods, together with long-term Resident Director Drew der Kinderen and Guest Artist Younes Bachir (ex-Director with the infamous Spanish company La Fura dels Baus). The team will introduce artists to a range of physical theatre disciplines including Zen Zen Zo’s specialty areas of the Suzuki Method, Butoh, and the Viewpoints, as well as Bachir’s highly creative Andante Method.
Stomping Ground will provide a solid base in these approaches focusing on developing the performer’s physical, vocal and ensemble skills. It is also a journey of transformation – both personally and professionally – as participants begin the New Year by refining their goals for 2014, shaping their craft, and meeting fellow artists with similar passions and beliefs.
Background
Zen Zen Zo, founded in 1992 by Lynne Bradley and Simon Woods, is an Australian physical theatre company at the forefront of contemporary performance and training. Through the Performance Company Zen Zen Zo produces potent, visceral theatre for local, national and international audiences. In addition, the company’s Training Centre offers a suite of internationally renowned actor-training programs which cater to professional performers, teachers, students, young people, and anyone with a sense of adventure. Through the Training Centre and Performance Company Zen Zen Zo is committed to building a rigorous and vibrant theatre culture in Australia.
What: Stomping Ground – Physical Theatre Summer School
When: 6 – 17 January 2014, Mon to Friday (plus orientation session Sun 5 Jan)
Time: 10am – 5pm
Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Early Bird* Fee: $690 Adult/ $590 Conc. (*Early Bird – booked & paid prior to 30 Nov, 2013)
Full Fee: $840 Adult/ $740 Conc.
Bookings: 07 3252 5540
Please Note: This training course is physically rigorous and mentally challenging. Participants should be in good health and prepared to work hard. However, no previous physical theatre experience is necessary. Due to the demanding nature of this course, all participants must be at least 18 years of age (or have finished Year 12).
