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Teaching
& Workshops |
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current
& upcoming classes & workshops "People
have been asking for a short summer workshop. We will cover the basics
of the northern Commedia dell'Arte. It has been part of our theater
from the 1500's. Women broke the barriers of the stage with Commedia
dell'Arte". Stanley Allan Sherman Commedia
dell'Arte $465 for 5 days Roving
Classical Commedia University*
(RCCU*) Areas
of concentration: Hours Scenario
& Improvisation
Taught
by master teacher: 212-255-2882
Academic
credit:
NYC
workshop housing options:
This
video is from one morning in three weeks of the our Commedia dell'Arte
intensive summer workshop. For information about workshops coming to
your school, theater company or institution please contact us. "Jacque Lecoq told our class close to our graduation day in 1972 "Do not wait for the great part to be written for you, create it yourself." This helped me live as a performer and creator since 1972". Stanley Allan Sherman Creating
Original Material 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM sometimes 5:00 PM This lab covers the many techniques, practices and road maps to create your original material and show. This knowledge comes from my teachers, mentors, colleagues, a lot that I have developed, discovered and use. The goal is to create your own material and ultimately your own show. Creating is hard, then fun, then exhilarating. $445
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individuals working solo Creating Original Material is the next step in performance development. Working though changes with Stanley illuminates a path that can be used again and again. - Michael Getlan The workshop challenged me to jump-start a project I had been incubating. I was surprised--astonished, really--at how it fell together in the workshop. Before this, I had never imagined myself as able to write for myself. Now I have proven to myself that I can compile a performance from a simple prop and an idea. - Jonathan Slaff Stanley has an amazing eye for developing material, for seeing where the opportunities lay in a scene; but more importantly, he's able to communicate and inspire performers to find these opportunities for themselves. The class is a joy. - R David Robinson Taught
by: 212-255-2882
"In
a 1970's article I read about a mask maker in Bali that put souls into
the masks he made for use in their rituals but not the ones they made
to sell. Part of the art of mask making is to be able to put a soul
into your mask".
Stanley Allan Sherman
Mask-Making
Summer Leather
Clown Nose making workshop All
mask-making classes covers: Paper
& Cloth Meche Neoprene
Latex Leather
Mask Making It
is common for student to take their clay sculptures home with them to
work on them. Taught
by: 212-255-2882
Metaphysical
Training Mask
Carlo Mazzone-Clementi developed, "After the first theater Metaphysical Mask Lab, I walked out of the studio and all day I saw the world in a deeper more revealing way." - Stanley Allan Sherman
"Character
starts with the foot."
Over this last year we have completed two explorations with the Metaphysical mask and have discovered a lot about this powerful mask. We will explore the Metaphysical mask using current and new exercises as well as Jacque Lecoq's, Neutral mask exercises. Stanley Allan Sherman created a Metaphysical Mask with and for Carlo. A year ago with the help of Peter Kors we found out how Carlo used the Metaphysical Mask. Because of these labs Stanley has exchanged information with others in Europe and the United States that use the Metaphysical Mask, including Ole Brekke that has replace the Neutral mask with the Metaphysical mask at The Commedia School. These
are pioneering investigative labs. This work is quite amazing and helpful
with many forms of theater, bringing one to use only the minimal movement
that is needed. The Metaphysical Mask gets to the soul of the performer
and actor. This
is a physical mask movement lab for actor, clowns, directors, dancers
and creators. Metaphysical
- Neutral Mask Lab: The
August 2011 lab with Peter Kors & Stanley Allan Sherman
was
a big success. Here is a video from the lab by Jim Moore entitled "Metaphysical
Mask Improv" on his blog http://vaudevisuals.com.
Custom
Fitted Leather
Clown Nose Making Workshop Leather Clown Nose Making Workshop Information Recommended
books
on Commedia dell'Arte
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Sculpture of the Mask Developing
your ideas and needs for your mask. Your sculpture map of your character,
sketching your mask, Once you can sculpt your mask in clay you have a choice of making the mask in Leather or Papier-mâché.
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From Roving Classical Commedia University mask making class. Fellow teacher Hovey Burgess and others sculpting in candlelight. |
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Papier-mâché Mask Making This is less expensive for mask making and much simpler and quicker. Papier-mâché or cloth meche masks can be very effective, strong, long lasting masks. This is a much shorter class and good for almost all ages. Price
$325 |
Papier-mâché hands at work. |
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Leather Mask Making You learn everything from how to buy and make tools, choose leather, making the master mold, different leather techniques, dyeing, staining, finishes and how to put in hair. This can be done over a period of 3 months or a quick intensive 2 to 3 weeks. $1,945 |
Private student Alfredo Denaia |
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Performing in the Mask How
to perform in a mask and make it come alive, doing various physical exercises
and exercises in the mask. I can also go into Neutral masks as well. These
exercises have been developed from studying with Jacques Lecoq and over
30 years of experience as a performer, mask maker and teacher. $150 to
$600 |
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Clown Most of my performing career has been spent as a theatrical clown doing my solo show in theatres from very intimate houses with less than 100 seats to 3,000 seats. And I have a very nice stack of rave reviews. Developing your personal clown, developing original material, various physical exercises, mime, working with props, making them come alive, solo show, non-solo theatrical clown shows and more. $200
- $600 |
Photo by Jim Moore |
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Classical Commedia dell'Arte To study Commedia dell'Arte go to the web site of my traveling school Roving Classical Commedia University* (*Totally Unaccredited) |
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Directing, Coaching, Developing Full Shows and Solo Shows More people are coming to me as a coach or director to help them develop a solo shows, clown shows and theatrical shows. Here are four show that I have directed, "Bride of Beowulf", "John Paulsen's Lonely Banquet", "Gautham" that just toured China and the latest solo play "Duet for Solo Voice". Currently directing, "Now Leasing" with dancer and circus artist Lea McGowan which will be performed at the Edinburgh Festival and Los Angeles Fringe Festival. Off
Off Broadway play "Duet
for Solo Voice" by David Scott Milton with Jonathan Slaff, Rachel
Krah and David Zen Mansley at Theater for The New City in New York, NY.
Read
the Rave Review. Review
Excerpts: There
is quite a bit of humor in this display of paranoia, all well directed
and staged by Stanley Allan Sherman… The
director, Stanley Allan Sherman, has turned the hotel into more of
a presence, with offstage actors providing the sound effects of an
energetic couple in Room 204, and one unexpected appearance. Gautham
in China backstage with the Peking Opera Sometimes
I feel bad because I'm not doing the exact same show that we worked on
together. I've had to change so much so these audiences will appreciate
it. Then I realize that although I've changed things in the physical
show, I'm still applying the principles we practiced. I'm taking my time,
finding the moments, letting myself discover, finding the joy. In short,
I'm really grateful for the work we did together. It's opened up so much
for me. Thank you!!" The photograph below is John Paulsen from his show."John Paulsen's Lonely Banquet". John brought me in to work with him on his show for the run at "Here Art Center" in NYC.
Created and directed the show "Life After Vaudeville". Directed the Equity Stage Readings of the play "The Golem of Gavah" written by Gil Marks and me. The synopsis is below. Coached various solo performers. If you would like to speak with me about helping you with your show, either directing, helping you develop or coaching (show doctor), give me a call or e-mail me. Contact
Stanley Allan Sherman 212-255-2882 Plays available for production "The
Golem of Gavah" By Gil Marks and
Stanley Allan Sherman These plays are available for productions. If you are interested in producing any of these plays for any kind of production email me or give me a call. "The
Golem of Gavah" Synopsis Gavah (from the Hebrew word for vanity) is a mythical town whose very devout inhabitants obsess over rituals, while neglecting their underlying meanings. When the town's latest rabbi arrives, the people immediately take a disliking to the young scholar because he fails to live up to their image of a rabbi. However, since they have already gone through three rabbis in less than three years, they decide to give their new spiritual leader a six-month probationary period. During that time, the increasingly frustrated young scholar discovers a book that reveals how to make a golem. The creature turns out to be handsome and charismatic and immediately captivates the residents of Gavah, who install him as their spiritual leader. Ignoring signs that their new rabbi is not all that they imagined, the golem sets into motion a series of events that culminate in tragedy for Gavah and its residents. Mixing drama, humor and music, The Golem of Gavah explores, among many contemporary issues, the dangers of becoming enamored by superficialities. "Shadows" Synopsis Healing cannot be shown without showing the pain. "SHADOWS" shows this pain combining sensuality and horror at the same time. "SHADOWS" is balanced with spirituality and flashes of wit and humor. Various studies show that four to six out of every ten women are sexually molested as children. Statistics also show from two to four out of every ten men are sexually molested as children. "Talmudic
Vaudeville" Synopsis Humor and drama are used throughout on many different levels. From simple slapstick to running gags about Jews having horns. About 90% of the stories are from the Talmud and can be broken down into many different formats. They can be presented with many different sizes of casts. Directors have chosen to do some of the stories and not all of them to suit their situation. Contact Stanley Allan Sherman 212-255-2882
Jonathan Togo and Stanley Allan Sherman, directed by Daniel Bollag The above video with actor Jonathan Togo was shot originally for the film Idenitcal. Film director Daniel Bollag cast me in the above film as the Priest. It is a nice change. One reason I am an excellent mask maker is because I am a performer, director and actor. I know what it is like performing in the mask, as I have been performing with and without masks since 1972. I have had several solo shows, "Aero Show" was critics choice in the LA Times and received a stack of rave reviews. In the 90's I moved more into acting, performing as a member of the original cast of the Off Broadway's hit "Grandma Sylvia's Funeral" and for some reason I keep on being cast as a Rabbi a lot, appearing in comedy bits on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" 41 times and "David Letterman". Interested in talking or casting me in your film, television or theatre production. Contact Stanley Allan Sherman - Mask Arts Company 212-255-2882 |
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Photos by Mark Schafer www.markschafer.com |
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One of the short films I did "The Nose Job Jew"made its way on to youtube. If you like to see it click on the link. It won the award for Best Comedy in the Montral Jewish Film Festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbezJZNYcyE&NR=1 |
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To
place an order, questions, other information or to be put on the e-mail
list for newsletters and announcements
Contact
Stanley Allan Sherman - Mask Arts Company Copyright © 1976-2011 Stanley Allan Sherman. All
rights reserved.
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...Gautham,
"There were a couple of people missing so they asked me to go on
for the very first time slot. I agreed. I got ready early and went backstage.
They introduced me and I went out. I lost it. There were 400-500 people
out there! My biggest audience by far. It was about 70% children. The
stages are outdoors so there are lots of distractions but these guys were
watching my every move. I took an extra minute or two with my entrance
because I was responding to how huge the audience was. I started my routine.
I took my time. It was amazing! I had a blast out there. It was like flying.
Later in the day I was having lunch with another performer. We were talking
about clown stuff. He had watched the first few minutes of my show and
gave me a great compliment. He said he was impressed with how I took
my time. I was able to go out there and just "be" without having
to do a bunch of stuff. He said he has been performing for 30 years and
he still has a hard time with that. "
"Stanley
challenged me to pursue the territory within myself unvisited,
to take my work to the place of the uncommon. He demanded that I not be
satisfied with just entertaining people, but to give them theatre. Stanley
should have walked into the theatre wearing a demolition helmet because
that is the level to which he demands, demolish your safety zone, demolish
your safety net. Break it and show me your unique self, your unique
vision for our ailing world. Working with Stanley was like the difference
between seeing a vacation postcard to actually soaring through the Grand
Canyon. Don't show me the postcard, he demands, take me there, take
me to the Grand Canyon. I want to feel it through you, and I want you
to experience it too. Scared of the edge? Great. Me too. Let's go!
And Where did we find commonality? A single moment of collapse, of chaos
on-stage when for one brief moment the audience was literally on the edge
of their seats because nobody actually knew what was going to happen.
How exciting!" John Paulsen
I
also developed and directed "Bride of Beowulf", a two
person children's show that toured for 4 year with Young Audiences.
The show was based on the story Beowulf and incorporated clowning, puppetry,
movement, opera, acting and story telling. Here are a few Young Audiences
reviews: