What makes it funny? What makes it repeatable? How do we approach writing the funny?

This class will tackle these questions and more while we explore physical comedy from a clown point of view. Expand your physical vocabulary, develop tools for playing comedy using the techniques of slapstick, improvisation, partnership, comic timing, and accidents in solo, duo, and group exercises. Through active games and dynamic exercises we will build short pieces of material using these skills. Physical comedy is funny within context and because of the reaction of the performer, so we will combine technique with context to discover the funny. This class is great for old and young, experienced and novice performers, for clowns, burlesque performers, puppeteers and pretty much any kind of performer who wants to bring comedy and honesty into their work!

Taught by International performing and teaching artist,
Hilary Chaplain “A Little Tramp — Lucy Ricardo hybrid”.

Saturday, Feb. 18 11:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, Feb. 19 11:00am – 6:00pm
Triskelion Arts
106 Calyer St, Brooklyn, New York 11222

COST: $225
DEPOSIT: $50 to hold your place (refundable until Feb. 5)
Balance can be paid on the first day by cash or check.
EARLY BIRD: $200 – Sign up by Jan. 25 with a $50 deposit

For Payment go to:
PayPal.com and use hilary@hilarychaplain.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/1799411940309059/

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus seeks an Advertising and Sponsorship Coordinator

Job Title: Coordinator, Sponsorships and Promotions, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus

Part-time, average 5 hours per week, with potentially more hours in lead-ups to specific events

Salary: $20 per hour

Contact: Laura Siegel laura@bindlestiff.org

Description: Coordinator will be responsible for soliciting businesses for promotional partnerships, sponsorships and program ad placements. Upcoming / ongoing opportunities include print programs (Bindlestiff’s ongoing Open Stage at Dixon Place; “A Cardboard and Duct Tape Spectacular” at The Connolly Theater, the 2017 NYC Unicycle Festival, First of May Award for emerging artists) and special events, such as Bindlestiff’s participation in The Smithsonian 2017 Folklife Festival. The work will build upon a successful 2016 sponsorship campaign, with numerous resources available to the new Coordinator.

Responsibilities include:

* Conducting an outreach campaign to a large number of businesses, from local shops to international chains

* Securing sponsorship agreements

* Selling ad placements for printed, full-color programs

* Contacting potential sponsors face-to-face, on the phone, and over email

* Persistently and consistently communicating with potential sponsors

* Seeking out vendors for 2017 NYC Unicycle Festival

* Brainstorming new potential targets

* Connecting Bindlestiff to the communities in which it is presenting and producing work

* Using internet research to uncover corporate phone numbers and points of contact

* Arranging for graphic design and production of printed materials i.e. programs, sponsor banners, ads, etc.

* Adjusting/upgrading the 2016 sponsor pack for 2017

* Upkeeping communications with Bindlestiff to track progress. Weekly email communication and bi-weekly phone meetings with Bindlestiff admin staff, office and social media managers.

The Coordinator will be trained by Bindlestiff’s Advertising and Promotions Manager, and will then be expected to operate in an independent, self-motivated fashion.

Requirements include

* Motivation, creativity, and flexibility

* Communication and People skills

* Graphic design / layout / desktop publishing fluency

* Some daytime flexibility to reach out to potential sponsors during work hours

* Google Drive familiarity

About Us:

Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. uniquely combines America’s outstanding folk traditions of circus, sideshow, vaudeville, storytelling, and burlesque. Bindlestiff hosted its first Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Winter Cabaret in 1995 in Brooklyn, New York. Since then we have presented over 450 of the world’s top artists in the circus and variety fields. The annual Winter Cabaret has appeared in ten different Off Off and Off Broadway theaters in NYC, and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has toured 35 American states and performed in a dozen international festivals and events. Activities include performances and touring of original shows; youth and educational programs (Cavalcade of Youth, Cirkus After School) ; support of emerging artists (First of May Award, Bindlestiff’s Open Stage); public outreach (NYC Unicycle Festival)

www.bindlestiff.org

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is very pleased to announce that the Smithsonian Institution has invited us to participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC from June 29 to July 9, 2017, as an exemplar of the living cultural heritage of American Circus.

Our participation will cost approximately $50,000. Invitees are required to engage sponsors and supporters. Can you endorse Bindlestiff’s 20-plus years of community building, artistic exploration, and educational outreach with a gift of financial support?

Representing New York’s rich circus history and its strong performing arts community, we aim to create something in the spirit of Bindlestiff’s Palace of Variety on 42nd Street (2002-2004), a variety and circus arts theater, museum, and social center which featured more than 250 circus and variety artists during its two-year run. Bindlestiff would present performances, discussions, and open rehearsals, all on the National Mall and free to the public.

Bindlestiff continues to be a bridge between honoring traditional circus and exploring “contemporary” circus directions and has been instrumental in inspiring a revival of interest and creativity in circus arts. We seek partners to make it possible for Bindlestiff to participate in the Folk;ife Festival. Your sponsorship can help us share our story with the public, provide opportunities for artists, and through circus arts share the American values of diversity and creativity.

Smithsonian Folk Life Festival celebrating the Circus

Smithsonian sponsorship-and-benefits-brochure

Please support our participation with a tax-deductible donation via PayPal

For more information please contact Keith Nelson, cirkus@bindlestiff.org

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus casting male acrobat

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus casting male acrobat / ensemble member for 2 week run of  “A Cardboard and Duct Tape Spectacular” in May 2017.

Applicants should have two ground acts and strong ensemble experience.

Acrobalance, hand-balance, equilibrist, or other ground act preferred.

Character chops a must, and comfort in a collaborative creative process a plus.

Availability requirement includes rehearsals in NYC in December-March; paid week of creation in residency

April 17-23 in Hudson NY, and paid May 1-14 run at Connolly Theater in NYC.

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has been producing its unique hybrid of circus, sideshow, and variety in NYC’s underground, Off-Off and Off-Broadway theaters since 1994, and has toured nationally and internationally for over two decades. Our creative process is collaborative, with an emphasis on originality and an alternative take on tradition.

“A Cardboard ans Duct Tape Spectacular” running May 1-14 in NYC’s Connolly Theater, is a reprisal of a successful 2015 show, and is currently represented by Siegel Artist Management for national touring engagements.

http://www.bindlestiff.org/cardboard/

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is currently seeking circus educators to present workshops at the 2016 NYC American Youth Circus Regional Festival on Saturday, November 12 at Circus Warehouse in Long Island City. The festival not only provides students ages 8-21 with a fun day of circus-arts workshops but is also an opportunity for presenters to connect with circus organizations around the tri-state area.

We are committed to creating a festival that provides something for everyone, regardless of age and skill level. We encourage creative workshop concepts that incorporate circus in any way, from stage makeup to choreography, from yoga to arts and crafts—in addition to traditional circus skills. Presenters will receive complimentary admission to the festival and will be welcome to distribute information and promotional materials about their circus teaching and activities.

If you are interested in presenting a workshop, please fill out and submit the online application by October 15th, 2016: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYC2016WorkshopApplication

For additional information about the event, visit American Youth Circus Organization.

Questions? Please email Amy Chen at upsidedownasusual@gmail.com.

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is pleased to host the 2016 NYC American Youth Circus Festival for the American Youth Circus Organization on Saturday, November 12 at Circus Warehouse in Long Island City, New York.

Youth aged 8-21 are invited to participate in a full day of circus workshops (from beginner to advanced), including trapeze, wire walking, clowning, partner acrobatics, juggling, stilt walking, unicycling, and more.  The day is capped off with a showcase featuring performances from the diverse and talented youth in attendance at the festival. Learn something new with us!

No experience necessary, so the brave and curious will have a full day to try new things, and advanced circus students will get to hone their skills with experienced professionals. Participation is limited, and previous years’ events have sold out, so pre-registration is strongly suggested. Early Bird Registration ends October 15.

Festival pass (includes four workshops, two meals, and one showcase): $55-$80; showcase ticket: $10

More information and registration at American Youth Circus Organization

If you would like to teach a workshop, please submit a proposal here:  Workshop Application

More information at American Youth Circus Organization or email laura@bindlestiff.org

Perform in the Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth!

Performers under 21 are invited to take the stage in this special circus and variety showcase. Jugglers, clowns, aerialists, magicians, musicians, dancers, acrobats, or other performers, if you’ve got an act, show it off! If you’re thinking of pursuing a professional career, we can help you develop and promote your act. If circus is just a hobby, that’s fine too.

There is no cost to participate (although coaching and act development may be available for an additional fee), and performers share the proceeds from a hat pass.

No audition necessary for ground acts! Aerialists, please send video. All acts will be required to attend a rehearsal earlier on the day of the show.

Michael Samuel is a Bay-Area-based graphic designer whose corporate clients have included global corporations, magazines and typeface design firms. Along with his talents as an artist, Michael has a penchant for unicycling and juggling. Prior to relocating to San Francisco, he was a supporter and friendly face around the NYC Juggle This festivals and NYC Unicycle Club gatherings. It’s through these networks that Bindlestiff first connected with Mike and asked him to design logos for the NYC Unicycle Festivals. Starting in 2010, Mike has now contributed seven great logos. As a special tribute to Michael’s talent, we’re offering a 2-for-1 discount on collectible NYC Unicycle Festival tee shirts from past years. Gotta get ‘em all!

For Unicycle Festival tee shirts, visit our Gift Shop at http://www.bindlestiff.org/product_category/apparel/