Removal Men (Jonah Brody and M.J Harding)
Resident artists, 20 July – 16th August 2015
Whilst based at Res, Removal Men (M.J. Harding, Jonah Brody), will be working with actor Angela Wynter on a musical about a fictional immigration removal centre. Removal Men is a company set up to investigate the interface between anthropology, radical politics and the performing arts. Designed to exist in political, traumatic times, the work of the company traverses group workshops, film and live performance, and includes artists, former detainees, and academics.
OPEN-CALL: Character development workshop
Sunday 16th August 2015, 2:30-6:30pm at Res. Enclave 1-3, 50 Resolution Way, London SE8 4AL
What is it?
- A 4 hour workshop for anyone working with character or alter ego – actors, live artists, drag, drab and cross-dressers, comedians, writers, activists and others.
- A maximum of 6 participants will be invited to join; the emphasis of the workshop is on safety, comfort and discovery.
- If you want to develop your character – their back story, their performance skills, their presence – this workshop is for you.
- Afterwards, you are invited to share dinner at Res from 7-9pm.
What will happen?
- There will be an extensive period of preparation – warm ups, exercises and dialogue. This is to build a collaborative environment and find ways we can be of most use to each other.
- This will be followed by improvisation games, in character, including hot seating, interactions, dance and song.
- At the end, we will debrief and make sure we’re clear on what discoveries we’ve made about our characters.
Where did the idea come from?
- The workshop has been devised by MJ Harding as a response to his experience developing Mo, a character from the musical Removal Men.
- Mo is a security officer from a fictional immigration removal centre. He sometimes behaves violently toward detainees, and has a complicated sexuality; he also feels the pressure of his low wages and the stress of his role at the detention centre.
- MJ found that developing Mo was a challenge, because people find his actions shameful. This workshop is designed to allow a safe space for characters to reveal themselves without shame.
- M.J. Harding is a writer and performer with formal musical training and a BA in anthropology. A graduate of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme, Michael has worked with collaborators including ArtsAdmin and Vladimir Shcherban of the Belarus Free Theatre. His radical practice focuses on the relationship between performance, pedagogy and violence.
- Any costume, props or materials you need to get into character.
- Any information you have about the character – their back story, what they want to do with their life, the world they inhabit. This can be in any form you find helpful – notes, images, memories.
What else do I need to know?
- The workshop will happen at Res., a project space in central Deptford. See: beingres.org/contact
- Don’t worry, there will be a break during the 4 hour workshop. Res will provide tea and coffee but please bring snacks or other refreshments as required. The evening dinner wil be vegetarian.
- The workshop is run on donation – pay what you think it’s worth.
How do I apply?
- Email contact@beingres.org with two sentences about why you want to take part in this workshop. CVs not necessary.
- Deadline for applications is midday on Weds 12 August.
- We will notify you by 5pm on Thurs 13 August.
Removal Men :
M.J. Harding is a writer and performer with formal musical training and a BA in anthropology. A graduate of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme, Michael has worked with collaborators including ArtsAdmin and Vladimir Shcherban of the Belarus Free Theatre. His radical practice focuses on the relationship between performance, pedagogy and violence.
Jonah Brody is an International award-winning composer and performer with an interest in music from East and South East Asia and 1980s drum machines. Having studied Ethnomusicology at SOAS in London, he spent a year of fieldwork in Bali studying Shadow Puppetry. Based in London, he now focuses on collaborative art in dance and theatre settings.
Angela Wynter is an actor and vocalist. She appeared as Yolande Trueman in the soap opera EastEnders and as Melba in the sitcom No Problem. Wynter has worked on many other television series including Minder (1984), The Bill (1992), Murder Most Horrid (1994), Cutting It (2002), two episodes of Holby City (2002, 2009) and Doctors (2009). Theatre includes Lion King (West End), Catalysta (Oval House), To Rahtid (Young Vic) and 48-98 (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith). She has also sung in various female reggae bands, including View from the Hill and Sistas.