Workshops

We are committed to offering workshops and training to young people and adults, alongside our productions and in their own right.

Shams is the only company in the UK to teach Clown through Mask. We also offer tailor-made workshops in physical theatre, based on the teachings of Jacques Lecoq:

- movement and mask work (i.e. character (Trestle), neutral, commedia dell’arte)
- clowning and comedy
- improvisation and devising, including site-specific and biographical work
- integrating video projection and circus skills into performance

If you want to be notified of future workshops and performance details, please join our mailing list by entering your email at the top of the page.

Testimonials on
Clown through Mask

'By far the most productive, supportive and informative route into clown that I have so far encountered - I look upon the red nose with fresh eyes.' 
Veronica from clown-theatre company Barabbas.

'I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in performance. The work is surprising, challenging, powerful, and will stay with me for a long time. It has become a part of my body and unlocked vivid and strange places in my imagination which have helped me creatively. Jonathan has a special way of empowering his students - he is adept at creating an atmosphere that can both challenge and nurture.' 
Daniel Hernandez

Testimonial on a character mask workshop:
'Jonathan provided a really insightful two day work shop that allowed the students to explore not only the practicalities of mask work but to inhabit the world that the mask resides in. It was fascinating to watch the students grow in confidence and begin to develop their own work…. there is no doubt that the quality of this work was supported by the workshop Jonathan provided.'  
Ella Kent, North Hertfordshire College

ALCHEMY: THE CREATIVE SELF at LISPA, East London

Sat 26 and Sunday 27 May 10.30 - 3.45pm both days

Jonathan will share his decade-long practice as a performer and writer, exploring how we can draw on our personality and biography as rich resources in a creative process.  Over the weekend, we will explore the alchemy that can occur when we engage with the seemingly leaden, undesirable sides of our self and history and transform them into creative gold.

The workshop will allow participants to deepen their understanding of their own creative practices through a mixture of writing and performance exercises, combining solo and group work with time for discussion and reflection on creative practice and process. 

Jonathan Young is a performer, writer and artistic director of Shams. Over the past decade he has co-created 8 productions with the company, frequently drawing on his own biography for inspiration, and working as a freelance performer, deviser and director with companies such as Inspector Sands and theatre O. He also regularly teaches clowning and physical theatre. 
Cost: £120. To book a place, go to LISPA. 

Clown through Mask sharing, Sunday 11th March, 3.30pm East London

You are invited to a free sharing of work as the culmination of a month
long Clown through Mask course – a visionary synthesis of Native American
and European clowning traditions. Through making and wearing six masks
personifying different directions of the self, this work allows the clown
to bring their full humanity onstage, to be seen in all their beautiful
ridiculousness.

The showing consists of individual short scenes or ‘turns’ that have been
developed during the course, giving each person the chance to clown in
front of an invited audience.

The showing acts as a bridge for people to take what they have discovered
on the course out into their own work and performance. It may also make you
laugh, cry or do both at once…

Please arrive for a 3.30pm start. The sharing will finish around 5pm.

If you would like to attend, please email info@shams.org.uk to book a place. 

 

Please join the mailing list at the top of page if you would like to know of future workshop opportunities.