Expect Nothing: Creativity Workshop with Jef Johnson

***SPECIAL PRICE $50 thanks to a grant from the Middletown Commission on the Arts!***

A Workshop for Artists of any medium

"The simplicity of naive existence is the root which nourishes all things." - Jef Johnson
 
Friday 12/16 6-10pm
Saturday 12/17 10-6pm
Sunday 12/18 10-6pm

Partial Participation Possible

Cost: $50
Thanks to funding provided by the Middletown Commission on the Arts with sponsorship through The Buttonwood Tree - Performing Arts & Cultural Center

Registration Required
Contact: Aryn Kyer
arynky@gmail.com

Jef Johnson is a leader in the field of performance theory. His research focuses on naive experience, consciousness, play, patterned behavior and social identity. He is a principle artist in the Broadway and International touring company of Slava’s Snowshow. He has also worked with Cirque du Soleil as clown-animator, special artistic consultant and workshop director. He has been investigating personal perception, performance and play for the past 25 years and has more than 20 years of experience working in live performance. He has given Master Classes, Conferences and Workshops to many organizations, theatres and universities including Cirque du Soleil, Slava’s Snowshow, Circo Sentido, Circo de Mente, Camp Broadway, University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, Colombia University, University of Minnesota, CUNY, SUNY, NYU, UNAM, UDEM, UQROO, and CENART. He is director of Mascara/Clown and is on the faculty of the Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Currently he is in Mexico, conducting research into the nature of human consciousness, creative association and social performance. Drawing from Clown, Mask and Butoh, his work has initiated deeper investigation into the primary essence of human experience, character and performance.

Accolades:

"It is hard to find the words that exactly convey the transformations and levels I have reached as a performer simply from working with Jef. Part of Jef's beauty as a teacher is that he reaches artists of every discipline. Over the years I have witnessed workshop participants from all kinds of backgrounds walk away from his classes utterly transformed: artistically, spiritually and personally." -Jennifer Jonassen, Los Angeles

"I have traveled to over 16 countries and participated in countless workshops and cultural events. I can honestly say that Jef Johnson's workshop is truly one of the most remarkable things I have ever experienced. Jef assists workshop participants to deeply explore ideas of self and engage in playful activities and exploration that evoke an awakening of creativity, vitality and a renewed passion for life. Each participant receives a unique workshop experience tailored directly to their needs and intentions, while simultaneously participating in a cohesive group experience. Artists of any medium will receive a fresh perspective on their art and creative process, and be guided to go beyond the mundane to explore fresh ideas and ways of conveying their message." - Joy Collins, Connecticut

“Jef Johnson has the unique ability to see, really see, his students, and to press the right buttons to make a significant transformation in them. The experiences I've had with him led me to find my authenticity, and enjoy life as fully as I ever have. And through it all, I am eternally grateful to him.” - Juan Camarena, Theatre Artist, Mexico

“Jef is a unique and special master, in all the possible ways. I have learned so much in his workshops, he can express profound truth with such beautiful words, and has an infallible yet soft way to choose and introduce just the right exercise or game to transform those who participate. But I have learned even more from him as a person, because he is so consequent, that every one of his teachings is recognizable in his daily actions. He has taught me to see the beauty and poetry contained in every single thing, to find my own path towards truth and discovery; he doesn't impose his point of view, on the contrary, he becomes a wonderful companion and guide, on the individual path of every one of those who learn with him. What his presence provides, goes much too far that a simple "scene technique", it's a whole philosophy, holistic, magical, that reaches all the corners of life, making it gain a spiritual meaning it didn't have before. I think any person would be fortunate to meet him, as a friend, master, colleague or playmate." - Citlalmina Morales, Theatre Artist, Mexico