Principles of Eccentric Performance with Avner Eisenberg

For over four decades, this workshop has introduced artists of all kinds to the world of Eccentric Performance.

Eccentric Performance is one of the most personal and paradoxical of theater forms: It can be ingenious or dim-witted, skillful, or blundering. It can have sharp verbal wit or be completely silent. It can be extremely silly while also pointing out the failures of society. Above all, Eccentric Performing is funny!

In this workshop you will learn how to:

• Create and maintain rapport with the audience

• Use your breath to increase your comfort and heighten the emotional impact of your performance

• Use problem-solving to create comedy out of ordinary activities

• Turn any audience member into an exceptional volunteer

• Apply the Eccentric Principles to clowning and all forms of performance

• Be interested instead of interesting

There will also be opportunities for participants to share work and receive feedback and coaching from Avner.

This workshop is open to all kinds of performers with all levels of experience. This workshop consistently attracts a terrific mix of clowns, actors, comedians, magicians, circus artists, puppeteers, and many others from around the United States and abroad. 

ABOUT AVNER EISENBERG

Hailed as one of the greatest clowns of all time, Avner Eisenberg is often a featured performer in comedy, magic, clown, and theater festivals. He studied with Jacques Lecoq from 1971 to 1974.  He has developed a unique physical approach to comedy and acting that he teaches in workshops around the world.

He has been described by New York Magazine as a “clown for the thinking man.” His show Avner the Eccentric was a hit of the 1984–85 Broadway season. He appeared again on Broadway in Ghetto and The Comedy of Errors. Avner is widely known for his endearing portrayal of Al Juhara, the Jewel, in the Michael Douglas film The Jewel of the Nile.

Avner continues to perform and teach internationally, with recent shows and workshops in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, and Spain. Avner has won awards at the Edinburgh Festival, the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, and the Festival Internacional de Pallassos in Barcelona,  the “Snow Star” for comedy in Switzerland, and the “Lachmesse” award in Germany.