TEACH | katemeehan

"We don't consider 'physical theatre' to be a particular style of performance, but rather as an approach to all theatre. In English, the work of the performer is called Acting; that is, to act. To do something . Which transforms the actor's "what do I feel" to "what do I do?" The primary focus is no longer on the actor's personal experience, but on the audience's experience of the actor, which requires communication, rather than telepathy. Since we are dragging our bodies around the stage with us anyway - and like it or not, it always has an expression - we might as well train it, get to know it, engage it actively. In short, create physical theatre - because we are physical beings."

a præsentation of Theatret Thalias Tjenere

Article from Drama og Teater - i undervisningen,

the journal of Denmark's Drama Teachers' Association. No. 2 - June 98

Translation: Stephan Vernier

Kate's workshops are catered to the needs of her students. If you are participating in a workshop as research for a particular production, please note it when you register so she can adjust the content to suit your needs.

She has also worked collaboratively with directors to help them achieve cohesive movement for productions and provided historical and movement dramaturgy services.

Available Workshops

Kate has extensive experience teaching mask and movement to students of all ages. She takes particular pride in her work with children and young adults, expanding their natural physical abilities, strengthening their senses of balance and clarity of movement and helping them harness and focus their inherent spontaneity.

She has taught maskwork, movement and improv to students as young as five and as old as seventy for elementary, middle, and high schools, and unversities.

She is also an award winning dramaturg, with experience in movement and gestural dramaturgy for the Early Modern era, and 19th and 20th Centuries.

Introduction to commedia dell'Arte

This is a fantastic Commedia primer for Middle and High School students! This workshop introduces students to the history and evolution of Commedia dell'Arte, stock characters and their movement tropes, ensemble movement conventions, and improvisation.

2 Hours, $250.

movement for film actors

This workshop focuses specifically on movement for atypical film production, including portrayal of monsters, the possessed, zombies, and motion capture work, with an emphasis on corporeal scales and gestural work.

(By Request)

movement for the modern actor

This workshop focuses on developing characters from the outside in, and encourages actors to find spontaneity in their acting. Actors will explore neutral and basel masks, character masks and chorus work to ensure the characters they portray live in their skins and not just their frontal lobes.

(By Request)

Commedia dell'arte for the young performer

Geared for more advanced young actors, this Commedia workshop incorporates all the elements of the Introductory class, and adds more advanced movement work, introducing students to methodologies and exercises from Viewpoints, Decroux and Lecoq, alongside ensemble-building exercises.

4 Hours, $500.

Commedia dell'Arte for shakespearean directors

As early as 1550, the English Privy Council notes payment to a company of Italian Players. References to Commedia characters pepper the plays of both Shakespeare and Jonson, indicating that their audiences were familiar enough with “old Pantaloon” and the “zanies,” as the English called the zanni, to be mentioned casually.

So what tools from the Commedia playbook can be used in staging Early Modern dramas? This workshop looks at physicality and staging conventions used in Commedia dell'Arte performance to build bridges for modern audiences, enhance blocking repertoires, and build authetic period tableaus. We will also examine some key texts to determine period plays with overt Commedia dell'Arte influence. This workshop combines techniques from Lecoq, Boso and personal experience.

Of course, this workshop is not only for directors. Our explorations into the international artistic exchange of the late 16th and early 17th centuries will be of value to period performers as well.

(By Request)

commedia dell'arte crash course

Designed for adult actors, this workshop is designed to be short and sweet, and tailored to the preparation of a cast for Commedia dell'Arte period productions. Includes collaboration with the production's director to ensure thematic production elements are incorporated.

1.5 Hours, $150.

Commedia dell'arte and improv

The foundation of Commedia dell'Arte is ensemble-based, improvational story building. This workshop, geared for advanced improvisors, works with existing ensembles to explore the tools used by 16th century professional performers in modern contexts. Improvisors will get out of their frontal lobes and into their bodies, exploring movement via masks and gesture, deepening their onstage connections and developing whole characters with ease. The workshop also looks at Jacques Lecoq's chorus work for use in developing scenic atmosphere through group work.

(By Request)

*No organization or student will ever be turned away for inability to pay. While I do not underestimate the value of my skill or time, it is more important to me that the tradition be shared and our community strengthened.

Kate Meehan

Available Workshops

Introduction to commedia dell'Arte

movement for film actors

This workshop focuses specifically on movement for atypical film production, including portrayal of monsters, the possessed, zombies, and motion capture work, with an emphasis on corporeal scales and gestural work.

movement for the modern actor

Commedia dell'arte for the young performer

Commedia dell'Arte for shakespearean directors

commedia dell'arte crash course

Commedia dell'arte and improv

Schedule a Workshop Now

Available Workshops

Introduction to commedia dell'Arte

movement for film actors

​This workshop focuses specifically on movement for atypical film production, including portrayal of monsters, the possessed, zombies, and motion capture work, with an emphasis on corporeal scales and gestural work.

movement for the modern actor

Commedia dell'arte for the young performer

Commedia dell'Arte for shakespearean directors

commedia dell'arte crash course

Commedia dell'arte and improv

Schedule a Workshop Now

This workshop focuses specifically on movement for atypical film production, including portrayal of monsters, the possessed, zombies, and motion capture work, with an emphasis on corporeal scales and gestural work.