The Total Actor
Performance Work Demonstration with I Wayan Bawa
The Multiactive Art Group Fabrica Athens hosts for the first time in Greece the Balinese actor and dancer I Wayan Bawa and the performance work demonstration “The Total Actor”. The performance was created by the performer in collaboration with the actress – director of the Odin Teatret, Julia Varley. During the work demonstration he performs selected pieces of the ancient dance drama Gambuh and the balinese mask dance Topeng, while demonstrating song, dance and theater techniques from Bali.
The great performer I Wayan Bawa, close collaborator of the internationally renowned theatrical director Eugenio Barba and ISTA (International School of Theater Anthropology), artistic director and teacher of the Gambuh Desa Batuan Ensemble and a permanent member of Theatrum Mundi Ensemble, will come to Athens for an intensive Balinese Dance Theater Workshop with Mask, which will be completed with the presentation of the performance “The Total Actor”. The performance work demonstration will be attended free of charge by the participants of the workshop, while the public can purchase their tickets through viva.gr.
With the unique way of the performance work demonstration, the spectators are introduced to the abyssal wealth of Balinese performing arts and the principles that compose the Balinese dance theater, which are universal and useful for actors, dancers and performers, despite tradition and personal aesthetical choices.
The performance is addressed to the general public and especially to actors, dancers and performers, to academics of theater and art, to performing arts, dance and drama school students, theater educators, as well as to initiated spectators.
Covid-19
In order to attend the performance work demonstration, it is necessary to show a negative covid rapid test, certificate of disease or of vaccination in electronic or printed form. At the venue, and for the implementation of the seminar, will be held all the necessary sanitary measures announced regarding covid-19.
The Workshop of Balinese Dance Theater with Mask, as well as the Performance Work Demonstration “The Total Actor”, are made with the kind support of the Instituto Italiano di Cultura Atene. Many thanks to Costas Vantzos for coordinating the event “From Bali to Italy – From Italy to Greece”.
Organization – Production: Fabrica Athens – Fanis Katechos, Giovanna Michaliadi Sarti
A few words about the Performance
I Wayan Bawa starts the performance with an offering and an excerpt from Gambuh, the oldest Balinese form of dance-drama dating from the 15th century. Appears with the character of the mighty king in full costume introducing the spectators to the intense richness and connection between the Balinese religious ceremonies and the stage art forms. After a short autobiographical presentation, he explains some of the basic principles of Balinese theatre, dance, music and vocal techniques by performing extracts of male and female characters.
The main part of the show is dedicated to Topeng, the famous Balinese masked dance. First, I Wayan Bawa gives a brief explanation of the features of each mask and then performs a sequence of defined forms and improvised dialogue that traditionally begins with Topeng Tua (the old man) and ends with Sidya Kharya (deity ending dancing), sprinkling blessed water and holding a white cloth as protection against evil spirits.
A few words about the artist
I Wayan Bawa (Bali) is son of I Nyoman Sadeg, a renowned interpreter of the masked dance drama Topeng. Since his youth he has studied Gambuh, Topeng and Tjalonarang, the drama of magic, under the guidance of I Made Djimat, one of the great Balinese dance masters. He has also been a student of the Dance Academy in Denpasar, STSI, and now is the artistic director and main teacher for the male roles of the Gambuh Desa Batuan Ensemble. He has collaborated with ISTA since 1995 and is a permanent member of the Theatrum Mundi Ensemble, participating in the performances Ur-Hamlet and The Marriage of Medea directed by Eugenio Barba. Since 2000 I Wayan Bawa also travels alone to give workshops and present his performance work demonstration The Total Actor created in collaboration with Julia Varley.
Summary Information
Title: The Total Actor – Performance Work Demonstration
Performer: I Wayan Bawa (Bali, Indonesia)
Date: Sunday 31 October 2021
Time: 20:00 -21: 00
Place: Fabrica Artspace
Ticket prices (via viva.gr):
– Whole: 12 euros
– Reduced: 10 euros
* The reduced price is valid for students of drama and dance schools, actors with lack of SEI, students of AEI-TEI and unemployed. In case of a reduced ticket, it is necessary to show the relevant supporting documents upon arrival at the venue (student card, unemployment card or exemption).
Language: English with simultaneous translation into Greek
More Information: +30 6949409474