STOMPING GROUND
summer school
STOMPING GROUND: AUSTRALIA'S LEADING PHYSICAL THEATRE SUMMER SCHOOL
A fantastic experience! A whole bunch of new tools, practical and dynamic, wrapped up in a blanket of holistic yumminess! Stimulating, useful, thought‑provoking and challenging – I enjoyed every minute.
Julie Nolan (Artistic Director, Red Leap Theatre, New Zealand).
The best kick-start to a year I’ve ever had. A kick up the bum mentally and physically – like nitro for an actor; I loved it!
Peter Rasmussen (Casting Director).
2024 will mark Stomping Ground’s 25th year. This annual physical theatre summer intensive training program, which was the first of its kind in Australia, is led by Zen Zen Zo founders Lynne Bradley and Simon Woods, Zen Zen Zo company members and selected guest artists.
The 2024 Guest Artist will be renowned dancer Courtney Scheu who is the first qualified teacher of GAGA in Australia. GAGA is the movement language developed by Ohad Naharin throughout many years, parallel to his work as a choreographer and the former Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company. GAGA originated from Naharin’s need to communicate with his dancers and his curiosity in the ongoing research of movement. GAGA provides a framework for discovering and strengthening the body and adding flexibility, stamina, agility, and skills including coordination and efficiency while stimulating the senses and the imagination. Zen Zen Zo will be the first company to host a week-long GAGA training program in Australia.
The aim of Stomping Ground is to also introduce participants to a range of physical theatre disciplines including Zen Zen Zo’s specialty areas of the Suzuki Method, Butoh, and Viewpoints. Stomping Ground provides a solid base in these methods 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 the year, shaping their craft, and meeting fellow artists and creative souls with similar interests and beliefs.
2 week physical theatre training intensive
DATES:
TIME:
venue:
cost:
bookings:
Mon 8 - Fri 19 Jan, 2024
9am - 3pm
Judith Wright Centre, Fortitude Valley
(australasian dance collective studio)
and Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
$690 / $590 Conc. Early bird*
$840 / $740 conc. full fee
*early bird must be booked and paid prior to 30 nov, 2023.
1 week training & devising masterclass
DATES:
TIME:
venue:
cost:
bookings:
Mon 8 - Fri 12 Jan, 2024
9am - 3pm
Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
$400 / $350 Conc. Early bird*
$550 / $450 conc. full fee
*early bird must be booked and paid prior to 30 nov, 2023.
The devising Masterclass with Simon Woods will address the question, “how do we make extraordinary theatre?”. Participants will have the opportunity to work in an intensive laboratory environment that involves learning how Zen Zen Zo has created its new productions over the past 30 years, as well as working on the development of group and solo pieces throughout the week. The Zen Zen Zo founders studied Devising and Composition techniques with legendary theatre director Anne Bogart for many years, and were the first practitioners to bring Composition back to Australia.