Via Negativa
Physical Theatre & The Bare Soul
An 8-Week Training
Facilitated by Gus Ganley, Thomlin Swan & Guest Teachers
Every Other Friday, February 28–June 6, 2025 | 3-5pm
At Waterstop Infoshop
(20 North 2nd Avenue East, Duluth)
“Why are we concerned with art? To cross our frontiers, exceed our limitations, fill our emptiness - fulfill ourselves. This is not a condition but a process in which what is dark in us slowly becomes transparent.”
― Jerzy Grotowski, Towards a Poor Theatre
Our world conditions us to put on a variety of masks, postures, and poses—many that keep us trapped in certain ideas about ourselves. Underneath these lie our raw, creative power; our child-ful spirit of play; our openness to our environments; our connection to great mystery. Physical theatre and Jerzy Grotowski’s concept of “via negativa” (a process of stripping away the exterior to arrive at the center) allow us to encounter layers of the self and become available to surprise and transformation.
This 8-week physical theatre course introduces participants to a range of Grotowski-inspired movement techniques aimed to liberate us from self-limiting thoughts and behaviors. Spilling beyond the boundaries of ourselves, we will develop tools for improvisation, dip into character play, and explore entire worlds lying beneath the surface.
All backgrounds and abilities welcome, no prior experience necessary.
Pay-what-you-can (suggested $50-75)*
*No one turned away for lack of funds.
Questions? Contact emergentseaspeople@gmail.com.