Having trained with one of the world’s leading practitioners in physical comedy: Antonio Fava. Calum teaches workshops, specialising in Commedia del Arte. Focusing on a varied age range, his workshops focus on the discipline of the character’s steps and physicality’s.
These workshops are extremely beneficial for integrating a heightened use of the actors body to explore depth of a character through improvisation and devising.
Calum has taught at various schools including, ICAT, Arts Ed, South Hill Park, Central Sussex College, Hurst College and Dragon Drama.
Other disciplines include:
-Bouffon Clown, Contemporary Text, Archetypes, Tension States, Laban in heightened text and Lessac Vocal release.
For a breakdown of workshop contents and prices please read the Workshop Brief.
Testimonials:
“Calum is a talented practitioner, actor and workshop facilitator whose passion for the performing arts is clear in everything he does. Calum has taught numerous workshops for South Hill Park’s young people, providing excellent classes in mask work, clowning and acting technique. His workshops are high energy, diverse and educational. These workshops have been taught on site at South Hill Park and in schools so the workshops are adaptable to different locations and learning environments. Calum is a reliable, hardworking actor and we love having him teach at South Hill Park, inspiring the next generation of artists.”
Francesca Hems
Coordinator – Learning and Participation at South Hill Park
I would like to thank Calum for the workshops he lead on our Actors Toolbox course as part of our Summer programme in Commedia. His professionalism and energy was excellent. He was able to connect to the groups aged between 14-16 and 17+ and give them the confidence to take risks and really inhabit their bodies. This was a real turning point for some of these young aspiring actors. The work they produced by the end of the day was excellent. Calum was able to make them aware of how physicality is crucial in creating character. Excellent workshops!
Jonathan Goodwin, Director of Arts Ed EXTRA and Outreach
‘Calum is an engaging, enthusiastic and energetic teacher; leading workshops with passion and confidence. The young people at South Hill Park love his sessions – they have a great deal of fun while learning a diverse range of theatrical techniques and performative styles. He has quickly become a popular favourite and we bring him for sessions at the Park regularly. I would have no hesitation in recommending Calum for future employment’.
Mark Hooper, Head of Creative Learning, South Hill Park
‘I have had the pleasure of spending four workshops with Calum. Three group sessions, and a one on one session. His approach to Commedia and Bouffon is one that instantly won me over. He himself loves these disciplines, and that rubs off in his teaching style. He is focused, committed, informed, approachable, and very good fun to work with. I have been fortunate enough to work with him in detail during a current production that he is assistant directing, and I can safely say that his input has directly affected, helped, and improved my characterisation for this piece. I would recommend him to anyone.’
Neil Gardner, Actor and Founding Member of Improvessional and Strike Drum Productions
The full day of Commedia dell’arte workshop that Calum ran was full of insight and great intensive exercises. The balance of providing history of Commedia as a form and leading investigative movement improvisations gave everyone in the group trust in Calum and the ability to play more openly together. I have studied Commedia through various teachers and thought Calum’s approach was accessible, well structured and most of all extremely fun (as human comedy must be!)
Alice Devlin – Actress
I am happy to recommend Calum very highly. What great energy! He clearly knows his stuff and my students spent a thoroughly engaging workshop. They were enjoying it so much and learning so much that they didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait until the next one.
Nicholas Beeby
Director of Drama
Hurstpierpoint College
From working with Calum, I was able to create a deeper and more tangible connection with my character, thanks to the physical approach to his work. I really enjoyed this because it allowed me to lose myself in the text and the character, avoiding acting that may be deemed ‘contrived’ or ‘cliche’. He made me aware of traps in intonation or delivery which really helped me. He challenged me to not go for the obvious and make character choices that were more detailed and hence forth, more interesting to watch.
Elizabeth Hollingshead, Actor
Calum’s Commedia workshop was brilliant. As someone who had no experience in the discipline, I found his explanation of both the physicality and the wants of the characters clear and easy to follow. At whirlwind speed he gave us a solid and exciting grounding in Commedia in performance. I would definitely go again!
Andrew Armfield, Actor
Calum leads an involved and engaging workshop. His knowledge and evident passion for the craft leaves participants enthused and and ready to learn more. At once both personable and professional, he creates an environment where learning becomes fun and easy. I would definitely recommend him to anyone interested in learning more about commedia dell’arte.
Will Lewis, Actor
