BANGKOK & SOUTH INDIA ARTIST INTENSIVE CLASSES



CLASSES IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

CLASSICAL THAI DANCE & KOHN
The traditional forms as passed down for generations will be taught by one of Thailand's most renowned masters. This most astounding dance is accessible to modern performers and audiences while retaining its purity, giving a strong base of precision, specificity, discipline, grace and clarity of movement. The history and philosophy of the form are an integral part of the training. Masked Thai Kohn is an incredibly challenging, stylized, acrobatic dance theater form. It requires great physical trust, precision and endurance. Traditionally, a performer specializes in a single role for an entire lifetime.

MUAY THAI
Muay Thai kickboxing is one of the most intense martial arts forms, both physically and mentally. Intensely rhythmic and dynamic, Muay Thai engages in both the physical and philosophical aspects of violence within a vehemently non-violent culture.

THAI DRUMMING
Live music is an integral part of storytelling in the Thai theatrical tradition. Thai Drumming is as much a dance as it is a music performance. Students gain an intensely physical understanding of counterpoint, rhythm, unity, tempo, overall arc and structure of a performance as well as an appreciation of Thai classical music and its relevance to contemporary performance.

THAI CONTEXT & THERAVADA BUDDHISM
This class will provide and facilitate a deep cultural and historical context of Thailand and Bangkok. This class will focus on Thai language, customs and traditions, allowing all participants to engage with our host country in a way that is open and fearless. The class will also consist of continuous outings and trips to further this context. Thailand is a Buddhist land, and the religion is deeply instilled in every element of the culture. To understand the people, customs, and way of life, it is vital to gain at least a rudimentary understanding of this philosophy. Monks from Wat Po (one of the main Buddhist Temples in Bangkok) visit the Theater to discuss Theravada Buddhism. Participants will learn about various traditions and ritual within the Buddhist context.

KRABI KRABONG
A traditional Thai sword dance, this ancient method of fighting combines both weapons and empty hand techniques (Muay Thai). Muay Thai is in fact the part of Krabi Krabong which is dedicated to hand to hand combat. However, Krabi Krabong is primarily a weapons based art.



CLASSES IN SOUTH INDIA

KALARIPAYATTU
Kalaripayattu is a martial art with origins in Kerala and practised in that south Indian state and contiguous parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, choreographed martial art sequences, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques.

KATHAKALI
Kathakali, deriving from the words "katha" (meaning story) and "kali" (meaning play), is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama. This classical Keralan art form employs make-up, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and well-defined body movements that are accompanied by music and percussion to present the stories of the greatest Hindu epics. A Kathakali actor uses immense concentration, skill and physical stamina, gained from regimented training based on Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala, to prepare for this demanding art form. Actors never speak, enacting their story purely through the movement of the hands (mudras), facial expressions (rasas), and bodily movements.

MOHINIATTAM
Mohiniattam is a traditional South Indian dance form from Kerala, India. This elegant dance is most often meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. The term Mohiniattam comes from the words "mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress."

SOUTH INDIAN CULTURE AND HINDUISM
This class will provide and facilitate a deep cultural and historical context of South India and Bangalore. This class will focus on the Kannad language (the dominant language of Bangalore and the state of Karnataka), customs and traditions, allowing all participants to engage with our host country in a way that is open and fearless. The class will also consist of continuous outings and trips to further this context.

CARNATIC MUSIC
Stemming from the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, Carnatic music is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gäyaki (singing) style.



CLASSES IN BOTH LOCATIONS

YOGA & MEDITATION
Every workday starts with a rigorous session of Yoga, preparing the body, mind, and spirit.

THEATER MITU'S WHOLE THEATER WORKSHOP
How does an artist prepare to create work that is rigorously visual, aural, emotional, intellectual and spiritual? This is the core mission of THEATER MITU's WHOLE THEATER training. Led by Theater Mitu Artistic Director, Rubén Polendo along with other company members, this advanced class weaves elements from the classical theater and ritual traditions of Japan, India, Bali, Iran, China, and Mexico into a method of theatrical exploration designed to push western artists in new and unexpected directions. This class further deepens the conversation of culture and performance by engaging the artist in a world conversation while reconciling the relationship between east and west. Focusing on intense physicality, full-bodied vocalization, live music, and powerful tools for connecting theatrical creation and ritual, this class seeks to engage artist in the discipline and rigor of creating theatrically impactful work by exploring THEATER MITU's rigorous training methodology known as the MAJOR STEPS of WHOLE THEATER.

THEATER MITU'S PHYSICAL THEATER CREATION WORKSHOP
Led by Rubén Polendo and fellow company members, this class will further the conversation of Whole Theater by dissecting it within the perspective of Western Dance, Dancetheater and choreography. Taking the idea of WHOLE THEATER from the theoretical to the practical and focusing on useful tools for creation, performance and aesthetics.




DETAILS AND INFORMATION:
(Please click on the following pages for further information:)
HOME
TEACHER BIOS
ABOUT THEATER MITU
ABOUT PATRAVADI AND VISTHAR
VISA, TRAVEL, MEDICAL AND INSURANCE INFORMATION
GRANTS AND FUNDING INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PAYMENTS