The ” Theatre Laboratory of Drama and Speech” of the Department of Theatrical Studies of the University of Patras in collaboration with the Student Scientific Group “Frynichos” and the Municipal Regional Theater of Patras, organized in Patras in November, 2021 the performance and workshop “The Balinese Dance Theater using a Mask” taught by the performer I Wayan Bawa from Bali, Indonesia.
The full actor and the “ritual culture” from the east
A two-day event dedicated to an educational experience of Balinese ritual dance and theatre that the public in Patras and the students of the University of Patras had the opportunity to enjoy at Apollo Theatre (1/11/2021) and the Dance Hall of the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras (2/11/2021).
The great teacher I Wayan Bawa introduced us to Balinese dance theatre with the dance GAMBUH which is the oldest type of dance in Bali (15th century). Using movement, speech and a complex costume and makeup he interpreted the king’s scene on the way from ritual action to artistic performance. He then talked about his personal experience in this field and the needs and requirements of the genre. He dedicated the whole program on the well-known Balinese Dance Theatre with masks, the TOPENG, explaining the physical movements, the presence of music and the importance of different masks: the silent, the comic, the old, the divine.
Master I Wayan Bawa, an international performer of traditional Balinese dance theatre, is a permanent collaborator of the International School of Theatrical Anthropology (ISTA) and a member of the Theatrum Mundi Ensemble. He collaborates with Eugenio Barba on issues related to the education of the actor and in this capacity he created the workshop for the students of the Department of Theatre Studies. The “Theatre Laboratory of Drama and Speech” of the Department of Theatrical Studies of the University of Patras has initiated a fruitful collaboration with E. Barba and ISTA, and the Odin Theater, through cultural and artistic exchanges, workshops and the hosting at the Central Library of the University of visual material and archives in digital form of E. Barbas’ courses that will be available to students and researchers allowing them to deepen their understanding of the art of acting.
For the successful implementation of this two-day event, collaborated the University of Patras, the “Laboratory of Stage Act and Speech” of the Department of Theatre Studies, the Student scientific group “Frynichos”, and the Municipal Regional Theater of Patras.
PROGRAMME
- Monday, 1/11/2021, 20:30 – Apollo Municipal Theatre – (By invitation only)
– Lecture by G. Sabatakakis, Associate Professor at the Department of Theatre Studies, University of Patras entitled: “The concept of dance drama in Asia”
– The excellent actor of I Wayan Bawa will present a lecture-performance entitled “The Total Actor“, the Balinese teacher/master starting with an excerpt from Gambuh, the oldest Balinese form of dance drama, will demonstrate voice, singing, dance and theater techniques from Bali, introducing viewers to the richness of the island’s performing arts and their connection with its religious ceremonies. The main part of the show will be dedicated to Topeng, the well-known Balinese mask dance. The performer will explain the characteristics of each mask, finishing his lecture-performance with a sequence of defined patterns and impromptu dialogue.
- Tuesday, 2/11/2021, 10.00 – 12:00- Hall of the dance department of the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras (Old Port, next to the KEP) (free participation)
The “Balinese Dance Theatre using a Mask” workshop. During the workshop, I Wayan Bawa will introduce participants to the basic principles of Balinese dance. He will also teach them principles of composition and alternation of movement energy and train the participants’ voice with songs, speech and voice. In addition, throughout the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the use of traditional Balinese masks. The purpose of the workshop is for participants to get to know the principles of Balinese dance and is useful for actors, dancers and artists in general, regardless of their artistic tradition and aesthetics.
Curriculum Vitae of I Wayan Bawa
I Wayan Bawa (Bali) is the son of I Nyoman Sadeg, a famous performer of the theatre masked dance, Topeng. At a young age he studied Gambuh, Topeng, Tjalonarang and theatre of magic, under the guidance of I Made Djimat, one of the greatest Balinese dance teachers. In addition, he also studied at the Dance Academy in Denpasar, STSI, and is now artistic director and principal teacher for the male roles of the Gambuh Desa Batuan Ensemble. He has been collaborating with ISTA (International School of Theater Anthropology) 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 the internationally renowned theater director Eugenio Barba. Since 2000, I Wayan Bawa has been travelling independently around the world to teaching workshops and presenting the performance work demonstration “The Total Actor” created in collaboration with Julia Varley.