Fresno Famous

In this 2-week intensive class at California State University Summer Arts, longtime members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe work side-by-side with students to create plays through a process that moves from brainstorming about “burning issues” to story development, genre discussion, scenario--developed on our feet- -script, song, elementary score and finally, performance. Ten-hour workdays (you stop to eat) are divided between creation and classes: in ensemble-building, singing, dance, scene study of classic commedia scenarios and melodrama scripts, and specific character movement. The course culminates in a skin-of-our-teeth show, for the Summer Arts community and the public.

The San Francisco Mime Troupe has never done pantomime: it uses the word with a different, double meaning: essentialized, highly visual, physical acting; and “mimic”. The Troupe pioneered free performances in San Francisco parks, and coined the term “guerilla theater”. It has won three Obies and a Tony for its original, satirical comedies with music, that deliver a radical critique of American society and politics.

Instructors: Bruce Barthol, composer/lyricist; Joan Holden, playwright; Keiko Shimosato, actor/designer, director; Victor Toman, actor/director/ choreographer.

This course is held June 28--July 11, at Cal State Fresno. For enrollment information, go to www.csusummerarts.org Scholarships available. Earn 3 units of transferable credit.

Jackie Doumanian is the Community Relations person for CSU Summer Arts.