Due to logistical difficulties we have had to cancel our January 2009 Eccentric Performing Workshop at Bellyacres in Hawaii.


Eccentric Performing in Hawaii

Taught by Avner Eisenberg & Julie Goell

Based in the Clown Principles, Eccentric Performing for theater professionals is a physical approach to acting and comedy.

The workshop initially addresses three areas: balance and control of the space, meeting and establishing complicity with the audience and with partners, and problem solving as a method of working on stage. After this introduction, we will explore ways of creating material and finding character. The focus is on activating the internal emotional state of the audience and helping the actor to always be interested rather than interesting.

Eccentric Performing is one of the most personal and paradoxical of theater forms: It can be ingenious or dim-witted, skillful or blundering. It can have a sharp verbal wit or be completely silent. It can be extremely silly while pointing out the failure of society. Above all Eccentric Performing is funny!

Open to performers of all abilities, this workshop explores bare-bones, red-nosed clowning in the search for the personal Eccentric performer.


We will work with students individually and in groups to investigate clown personae. Relationship to the audience as complicit partner, use of audience volunteers, and applications of clowning to other forms of theater are of special interest.

The daily routine includes movement, technique, improv, assigned themes to prepare outside of class, and nightly sessions devoted to critiquing existing work.