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  • What people say about the Barefaced Commedia dell'Arte course
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  • What people say about the Clown Course
Photos above: Robert Piwko, Tiff Wear, PL. Colour sketch: Tracey Tofiled. Colour illustration E. M. Parry.
'I am so amazed by what you offer in your workshops!' recent Course Participant

Courses are available either ONLINE or IN-PERSON and include:
Alchemy of Archetypes, Alchemy of the Elements (Earth Air Fire Water), Commedia dell'Arte ('Bare-faced Commedia' when ONLINE), Mask & Movement (with 'neutral' masks), Mime: making the Invisible Visible, Comedy Toolbox, Red Nose Clown, Clown & Dark Clown, Dark Clown Level Two (for graduates of Clown & Dark Clown) and - stay tuned in 2023 for new courses:
​ Melodrama and Sad & Tragic 
Clown.

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'Highly recommended work for all artists and many humans. Honestly. Especially in these dark, difficult times. Liberating work. Grow your skills and awareness on and off stage. Expertly led workshops by Peta Lily.' - JDK
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join the mailing list for open courses  /   book or enquire about workshops
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Enjoy the connection of the Global Classroom!
The Alchemy of Archetypes  ONLINE COURSE – explore voice, body & imagination
Early Bird Price available
24, 25, 26 & 27 June 2023
4pm - 7pm each day UK time (BST)
'Amazed that on Zoom we were able to find connection, community, eye contact, playfulness and the unexpected!' - Course Participant

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Who is it for?:
Open to beginners.
Previous attendees include actors, storytellers, clowns, theatre makers,
live artists and the curious …
 
What is it?:
At once both strange and familiar, the Archetypes are unique yet universal expressions of humanity, recognisable in myths and folk tales from many cultures and, in adapted forms, in plays and films.
You'll be guided to embody and explore the Hero, Mother, Child, Fool, Trickster, Crone, Devil, Lover, Maiden & the Carnival figure of Death.

Open up your vocal, physical and imaginative expression and celebrate the mythic inside of you!

'Fascinating and incredibly liberating.'
Mike West, Theatre Teacher

'Wonderful, inspiring, nurturing.'
Daisy Jordan, Visual Artist and Puppeteer

'A course to stretch beyond the familiar comfort zones and explore all the multitudes you contain.' 
Gerry B, Writer, Performer

When:
24 June 4pm - 7pm UK time (BST)
25 June 4pm - 7pm UK time (BST)
26 June 4pm - 7pm UK time (BST)
27 June 4pm - 7pm UK time (BST) 

Where:
ONLINE - by Zoom
What's it like on an ONLINE course? go here

‘Incredibly surprised by how well the course worked online.
Wonderfully inspiring, insightful and fun.’ 
- Carolina Ortega, Director/ Performer/ Dramaturg
 
Cost: £199 

PLEASE NOTE - Places on this course are limited.

TO BOOK: Email petalily[at]gmail.com
with your full name, brief biog and mobile number for information on how to book.
 
What happens on the course?: 
Warmups to open imagination and explore physical and vocal expression.
 You will be led on guided journeys and processes to immerse into each of the archetypes.
We also work with the 'rasas' emotional flavours to enliven and encourage flexible and varied expression. The course also gives an approach to a richer, more embodied vocal work.
 
A user-friendly process of ‘feeding in’ text gives the freedom to access impulses.
Supportive side coaching
 is also given.

Benefits include: integrated body expression; an unforced release into emotions; greater access to and trust of impulses; and a more intuitive and instinctual approach to creating, portraying and exploring characters. Perhaps also, a more nurtured imagination and more resourceful relationship with your inner life.
 
'The guided journeys were transporting ... brought a new level to my acting.'
- Guila, Drama Teacher

TO BOOK:
Email petalily[at]gmail.com
with your full name, brief biog and mobile number for information on how to book.

What people say about the AoA online course:
https://www.petalily.com/what-people-say-about-the-alchemy-of-archetypes-course.html
 
What are Archetypes?:
Joseph Campbell believed Archetypes are built into the 'wiring' of every human being. In life, at different moments, either in our waking life or in our dreams, we may recognize either in ourselves or in others - the Hero, the Trickster, the Mother, the Child, the Fool, the Lover and more.

'An astonishing tool to help us unlock our souls and give voice to the kaleidoscope of these mysterious and yet familiar characters.'
Nadia Masri - filmmaker

'Empowering!  It made me dig deep - becoming more and more authentic in my acting. Peta’s guidance and support was inspiring.'
Miriam, Anthropologist & Theatre Pedagogue
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PictureIllustration by Charlotte Biszewski
How Dark Clown works: Comedy craft can be employed to bring laughter to challenging subjects. Lily's Dark Clown work retains respect for the subject matter and creates intriguing and enriching experiences for performer and audience alike. Lily's unique approach makes widening the range of the clown's expression both safe and invigorating. Read more on the blog: www.petalily.com/clown-dark-clown-theatre-practice-blog

WATCH: ‘Peta Lily’s Dark Clown; Taking Laughter to the Limits' - Made by the remarkable photographer and documentary filmmaker Robert Golden, the film traces the steps of Peta Lily taking a group on the Clown & Dark Clown Course journey, extending the possibilities of Clown work beyond the Red Nose Clown style as taught by Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq. Through practical explorations over the last 30 years, she has built a unique approach to generating laughter from a darker context.  View it HERE. 
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Dark Clown is Lily's unique body of work - she has founded an exciting new genre of Clown. Her paper The Comedy of Terrors – Dark Clown & Enforced Performance was delivered at the Bath Spa University and her Dark Clown work is cited in Jon Davison’s Clown (Readings in Theatre Practice) - Palgrave MacMillan 2013. You can also watch these short, sweet videos on Lily's Clown and Dark Clown work made by Nick Cowell.

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Peta Lily works as a Director, Acting Coach, Creative Mentor in online 121's - use the contact form below or go here.
ONLINE CREATIVE 121’S 
'I left the session buzzing and feeling THIS IS POSSIBLE! Peta is an effervescent and supportive mine of wisdom, creativity and knowledge. Thoroughly recommended.’ - Lexi Strauss Artist and Performer


'My favourite call this quarantine. Hugely inspired and in-spirit-ed.' - Ian Sellars, Theatre Explorer (121 introduction to Clown)

I worked with Peta developing script fragments. She really knows how to build a piece, a theatre maker through and through!'
- Karola Gajda Writer and Theatre Maker

DIRECTING / DRAMATURGY / ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR 
'I cannot recommend Peta Lily highly enough - a brilliant dramaturg and mentor. She is sensitive to existing practice whilst questioning old habits to provoke bolder choices and deeper connection. We worked with her for just five days on La Poule and it was amazing.' - Sarah-Louise Young won The Stage Edinburgh Award 2016 Edinburgh directed by Peta Lily in 'La Poule Plombée/Je Regret'
 
‘I found the work liberating, wonderful fun and insightful ... so much to learn from her.’ - Shelley O’Brien, Mad Alice Theatre

'Her knowledge, understanding and experience within her craft is unprecedented.' - Stumbletrip Theatre Company

CREATIVE MENTOR / SCRIPT DOCTOR / SHOW DEVELOPMENT 
‘In only two days, her advice, eye for details and sense of comedic timing took the work to a whole new level. Her experience and good spirit made it incredibly easy and intuitive to work together.’ - Sandrine Monin
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‘Peta Lily is an incredible coach. I feel really privileged to have worked with her. Highly recommended.' - Fiona Coffey, Cabaret Artist 'A Touch of Mrs Robinson'

‘Thanks to Peta Lily for nipping and tucking the script and adding some absolutely hilarious moments.’ – Eva von Schnippisch, award-winning Cabaret Performer

ACTING COACHING / AUDITION COACHING 
‘Detailed, astute coaching – helpful and uplifting.’ – Cindy-Jane Armbruster, Actor

Inhouse Workshops & Master Classes

'A unique and rewarding experience - lots of the exercises really resonated and connected with me. I found it all very inspiring and I'm grateful for what you've taught.' - Student

'I really enjoyed the session. It was great seeing the pupils so engaged! Thank you very much for giving them a memorable and valuable workshop'  - Whitgift School 
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Groups and companies need special skills for different projects. You might need movement, mime or comedy skills, or ways to physicalise characters. Some companies request Dark Clown consulting to stretch performers and add edge to a new production. 

Courses can be designed specifically to suit groups - 
full information available - course themes include: Comedy Toolbox ● Emotional Zones and Character Creation ● Clown ● Clown & Dark Clown ● Mime ● You're On! - a course on turning your Life into Theatre (writing and performance) ● Comedy & Confidence  ● Embodied Voice ● Alchemy of Archetypes (with or without masks) ● Commedia dell'Arte

Experience plus a wide ranging background - Lily has taught at many leading Drama schools and at Ecole Phillippe Gaulier in London. She regularly teaches at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and RADA. She has trained with Jacques Le Coq, Philippe Gaulier, Monika Pagneux, Theatre du Mouvement, Yoshi Oida, Carlo Boso (Commedia dell'Arte),  Sankai Juku (Butoh Dance), Alvin Ailey School, NY, Master Yeung Kim Wah (Cantonese Opera) and Mike Alfreds (Theatre Direction). She also brings processes and insights from the liberating and integrating work of Dina Glouberman and Arnold Mindell.

Inspirational – the work and your whole approach to it. - Tony Casement Assistant Creative Director, Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Remarkable work - creative, inspiring, challenging and satisfying. - Graeme du Fresne, Summer School Director

She speaks the language of devising, focusing on character, honesty and audience connection. We whole-heartedly recommend her.  - Amelia Bird Artistic Director, Gomito Productions

Versatile and skilful, bringing great character and movement out of the performers both individually and as an ensemble.  - Writer and Theatre Director Debbie Oates

Course participants report Lily's clown work teaching to be 'empowering' with 'the right amount of support and challenge':

Dark Clown has helped me develop a balanced rounded clown character that has real depth. I already feel it has helped me free up my emotional range as a performer! - Ella Golt, Artist 

Demystifying comedy and explaining all the rules – very empowering. - Stewart Pemberton Circus Performer and Tap Dancer

Lily teaches workshops and master classes in-person and online
‘a phenomenal teacher…skilled like you wouldn't believe…an exhilarating experience…’
Regular open courses include: Clown & Dark Clown; Dark Clown Level Two (available to graduates of the 2-day Clown & Dark Clown course); Take your Clown / Act / Idea Further; Comedy Toolbox and 
The Alchemy of Archetypes (working with half mask and 9 archetypes) and Commedia dell'Arte.
To hire a workshop leader (for the future) go here.

workshops & shows 


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Curious about Dark Clown? get your FREE ebooklet when you sign up to the mailing list - see the form to the right!

Something else? If you are looking for a director / creative mentor / workshop leader for a bespoke workshop for your company or organisation or any other matter - go here.

* By signing up to the mailing list you agree to receive mailings about workshops, shows, publications and very occasionally other news, usually only about a half dozen mailouts a year. You can always choose to unsubscribe at any time – there is an unsubscribe link to click on in each email I send. Your information will not be shared with any third party.

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