HELLO, AND WELCOME

Whether you’re a actor, comedian, dancer, writer or artist, we hope that being a part of this community will be a rich experience, and a place to share your experience with others. If you like this practice, we hope you’ll continue, either by taking another class, finding new ways to turn this work into performance or collaborating with folks in this community on new projects.

John Gilkey, Founder and Creative Director

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS CLASS

Arrive ready to play

Do what you gotta do to get into a playful mood before you get to class - sing in your car, run around the block, call your mama and tell her you love her - whatever works for you.

Arrive energized - Leave exhausted

Take care of your body. Stretch. Drink lots of water.

Consider each class a show

Show up. Be on time. Act like a pro.

Attend shows and events

Hands down, the folks that see our shows, show the most improvement in class. It’s a no-brainer. Our current ensemble show is Cruel Babes which performs monthly. Hippodrome is also a monthly event that brings in folks from all classes and across the community to play together. Plus there are a ton of folks doing their own shows. There’s lots to be inspired by. Go check it out. And then perform your own wild shit.

WHAT TO BRING

Wear clothes you can move in and closed-toe shoes with a non-slip sole. It’s a good idea to bring water. Don’t be shy to jump on stage and do a little warm up of your own while you wait for folks to arrive.

You can take notes in class though we prefer you use pen and paper rather than your phone. There is no eating during class. You will have one or two breaks in the three hour class. Use this time to use the restroom or get a bite to eat.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This work can be challenging. We are working entirely new muscles for some of you, and we are integrating those muscles into a new type of play. We want to be sure that we can push you, and conversely, that you can take care of yourself. That means you might get frustrated or hit a wall, which is to be expected in the journey. But if at any point, we feel (or you feel) that it's too much or beyond a point of resiliency, then we will adjust. That adjustment could be a check-in or even very simply, ending the work.

This work is not for everyone and that is okay. We leave that decision open to you and the teacher. In other words, you may feel it's not right for you or the teacher may feel that. We ask that you trust our decision, and as well, we will trust yours.

HOW IT WORKS

We break the classes into two categories: Core Idiot and Extra-Idiot. The Core Idiot classes contain all the original Idiot principles and the Extra-Idiot classes take Idiot principles and apply those to other disciplines like writing, movement, scene work, creating bits, etc. Once you have passed INTRO you can join an ongoing class (simply called “The Idiot”) where we encourage you to stay for as long as you are feeling challenged. If you are interested in taking one of the Extra-Idiot classes you can join those at any time with no prerequisite. All classes, unless otherwise stated, run in six-week blocks.

We encourage you to view your time in class with us as horizontal rather than vertical in nature. The point is not to graduate but to let yourself steep in this work. Understand that so much of what we want to share with you is foundational and therefore relies on a dedicated and continuing practice.

If you like this work, we hope you’ll continue. Either by taking another class, finding new ways to turn this work into your own performances or collaborating with folks in this community on new projects.

CODE OF CONDUCT

We understand that in what we do we sometimes get into territory beyond what some are comfortable with. To some it can be troubling, uncomfortable, offensive even.

We want to be able to take risks, explore, and discover. We need to be able to fail and make mistakes. We need to do all that and still have a safe and positive environment, which encourages a high level of exploration and failure from everyone.

To make all this possible, there are some basic expectations we have about the space we want to make. Mostly that, in using common sense, we treat each other, each other’s work, and the community with respect.

Harassment and abuse will not be tolerated. Our classes should be spaces of respect, consideration, and support.

Harassment is unwanted or unprovoked attention directed at another. Harassment can be physical, verbal, or emotional.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome advances of a sexual kind. This can include unwanted or repeated touching, or verbal harassment with sexual content.

Respect for each other and one’s own self is the condition which makes whatever we do possible. This includes respect for the physical and emotional safety of one’s self and everyone else. Don’t hurt yourself or anyone else. And respect the physical property of others. Don’t break anything unless it’s yours. And probably even then, don’t break that either.

A part of respect for others is creating an open space of full gender expression. No matter your gender identity, gender is important to someone’s sense of self. To incorrectly gender someone can cause the person to feel disrespected, alienated, or dysphoric (or a combination of the three). Therefore, it’s important to ask for personal pronouns and we will do this on the first day of class. This can help mitigate emotional distress from happening, and set an example of respect.

Be considerate of others. This includes what others ask of you. And also includes being considerate of the space of others and their levels of comfort.

If you have concerns you would like to raise, or issues that need to be discussed, you can contact any of the following:

John Gilkey, Creative Director – John[at]johngilkey.com

Amrita Dhaliwal, Managing Director – adhaliwal[at]gmail.com

Claire Titelman, Teacher – ctitelman[at]agmail.com

The Idiot Workshop will ensure that there will be no retaliation against anyone bringing an issue to the attention of the school.

Incidents will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and may include follow-up interviews and conversations with those involved.

HIPPODROME

Hippodrome is a monthly open jam from The Idiot Workshop led by our teachers. It’s part rehearsal, part class and part show. We invite everyone to come hang out for any or all of it. We’re never quite sure who will get up, but we look to mix people who might not have played together before, try new things, and show what we’re up to. We want to challenge what we do and see all the styles the Idiot thing can take. Everyone is welcome.