28th June - 7th August 2021
Athens, Greece
David Glass Ensemble Learning and JEUDi present Alchemy of the Extraordinary, a 6-week intensive training in Creative Practice and Devised Theatre.
“David Glass’s Creative Practice is a unique and courageous exploration of the archetypal experience of being human.”
-Peter Brook, International Theatre Director
“He has a unique imagination and a truly political provocation. David makes theatre about things that matter.”
-Paule Constable, Olivier and Tony Award Winning Lighting Designer
Led by modern master David Glass, Alchemy of the Extraordinary is an intensive training course in devised theatre making and creative practice. The six week experience will comprise David Glass’s five-stage creative practice, his research into the Authentic Voice, The Child, The Adolescent, the Elder, Story and Ensemble Theatre making. David’s work has influenced and been employed by theatre companies and educational, social development and corporate organisations around the world (UN, Save the Children, Gecko, 111 Program and many more).
David Glass’s workshops are noted for their rigour, playfulness and impact. Over a 6-week period, 5 days per week and 8 hours per day participants will have a transformative skill-based experience of David Glass’ creative framework. They will come away with the tools to integrate and strengthen what they already do in their own practice, broadening and deepening their ability to devise theatre and develop creative projects from an authentic and provocative place be it in the arts, education, social development or corporate environments. We will also conduct some of the work in the historic space of the Poreia Theatre in Athens, thus rooting the whole course in the creation and performing of theatre.
Places for the intensive course will be limited to 16 students. Please submit your application to take part in this form by March 31, 2021.
We are also doing an information session, which will be held online on February 22, 2021. In this session, you’ll get a chance to hear from our teachers and to ask any questions.
Alchemy Extraordinary Information Session - February 22, 2021
Session 1: 10am UK / 6pm HK [Join via Zoom]
Session 2: 5pm UK / 12noon NY / 9am LA [Join via Zoom]
“David Glass remains one of the pioneers and key figures of British and International Theatre.”
-John McGrath, Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival
“David is one of the great teachers and artists of our time who has never been afraid to examine truth in all its manifestations; both beautiful and ugly, and has touched thousands of souls in a lifelong quest to connect and build meaningful relationships. He has the rare gift of marrying the deep intellect and knowledge of a scholar with the playful inquisitiveness of a child.”
-Amit Lahav, Artistic Director - Gecko
Life is at its heart creative and the narratives and emotions that surround us are the stuff that build our practice. The course will be primarily experiential, exploring the creative reservoirs of the Child, Adolescent and Elder that is present in our lives before supplying the Creative Practice framework to shape these experiences.
The Creative Practice constitutes Five Stages, all of which must occur to create rich, authentic and original work: Preparation, Origination, Organisation, Realisation and Reflection. We will explore each of these stages through games, exercises and forum work.
David will also apply his Modes of Creativity, found in nature and revealed in each participant: Adaptors, Translators, Replicators, Integrators, Transformers. We will work individually with each participant, strengthening their capacities to lead, collaborate on and realise projects, growing from their distinctive qualities, attitudes and behaviour.
Fees and Accommodation
The fee for the 6-week course is EUR 2,100, with a concession price of EUR 1,800 for students. We will request a deposit of EUR 450 to secure your place.
You may also already be thinking about the logistics of taking part in the course. We suggest people looking for accommodation near the Dance Studio (where we are spending most of our time) should look around the areas below: Lycovrissi, Pefki, Maroussi, N. Irakleio, N. Ionia, Kato Kifissia, Metamorphosi. We can connect participants to Airbnb and guest-room options whereby they can rent a single room or shared accommodation well located for the workshop. Participants are welcome to find their own accommodation while in Athens!
“I am inspired by [David Glass’] thinking and experience and community in the theatre… his objective is vital and true.”
-Mark Rylance, Actor
“David Glass Ensemble is a creative powerhouse with innovation at its heart. David’s thinking has been woven through the UK’s Art in Business movement, inspiring my work with organisations around the world, and that of countless others.”
-David Pearl, Founder Pearl Group
About Our Partners
JEUDi is an arts organisation led by Korina Kokkali and Simon Gleave that combines a performance company with a school for dance, performance and creativity. JEUDi aims to become a platform for discovery in new social and artistic pathways, for individual and collective interrogation into the permanences of creativity and connectivity.
Poreia Theatre is a modern theatre in the heart of Athens offering an eclectic repertoire, the theatre has staged a wide variety of plays, new or previously unproduced in Greece. Under the artistic direction of director, actor and translator Dimitri Tarlow, this beautiful laboratory space will be the perfect setting for the beginning and end of the 6-week transformative experience.