Training 2025 - KOHN

35-HOUR MASQ’ALORS! TRAINING IN MASKED PERFORMATIVE ARTS – IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS CULTURAL COUNCIL

The Khon is a royal and sacred classical Thai masked dance-theatre, where the monkey plays a dominant role among humans and demons. It features a great deal of flexibility and acrobatics, both physical and moral, ranging from mischievousness in the king’s court that might remind one of our Western jesters… This training is an introduction to this type of comedy. It focuses on the role of the monkey. It will conclude with a public sharing, either as a performance or as an open workshop.

Introduction to the monkey’s role in the Khon tradition – Principles and techniques of Thai classical masked dance:
We will explore the techniques of monkey dance: animal traits, the military aspect, and the aesthetics of Thai dance.

We will cover, among others:

• Different ways of walking and moving like a monkey;
• Combat choreography with lifting technique and integration of circus acrobatics according to participants’ skills;
• Gestural language to communicate concepts and emotions;
• Head movements with the the mask to convey various emotional states.

At the end of the training:

Participants will have a general understanding of the Khon, the Thai classical masked dance.
They will learn an approach to dance training based on tradition. They will be able to draw inspiration from monkey movements, choreographic excerpts, and gestural language to create their own choreography.

• Target Audience
  Professionals or advanced amateurs of the performing arts, especially in dance, circus arts, and street arts.
  Maximum of 12 participants.
• Training Location
  La Mitaine, 167 Jeffrey Street, Val des Sources
• Instructor: Benjamin Tardif (Quebec/Thailand)
  Originally from Canada, Benjamin Tardif is in Bangkok, Thailand, to further his Khon training while completing a master’s in Thai classical dance at the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, where he also teaches. He has been entrusted with the role of the monkey, particularly Hanuman, which he learned from national artist Prasit Pinkaew. He is also a member of the Khon dance troupe the Royal Sala Chalermkrung Theatre and gives Khon workshops and performances in many countries. Since 2015, he has participated in various contemporary dance projects with Pichet Klunchun Dance Cie, 18 Monkeys Dance Theater, Kham Company, and Fanglao Dance Cie. Since 2019, Benjamin has been working on his own creations, focusing on bridging the gap between the West and the East through dance and music, using symbols, mythology, and storytelling, while reflecting on his own inner dualities, identity, transformation, and survival.
  To learn more about both Benjamin and the Compagnie Intangible : https://www.compagnieintangible.com/fr

• Training Schedule
  Saturday, May 31, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  Introduction to the general principles of Thai classical dance (Jib, Tang Wong)
  Basic monkey movements and vocabulary (Mae Tha Ling)

  Sunday, June 1, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  Introduction to stage positioning and mask usage strategy
  Animal movements and dynamics of the monkey with mask (Ling Pa)

  Monday, June 2, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  Choreographic excerpt with mask (Worachet)
  Military monkey movements with mask (Tahan Ling)

  Tuesday, June 3, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  Lifting technique with mask (Kheun Loy)
  Combat choreography excerpt with mask (Yok Rob)

  Wednesday, June 4, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
  Introduction to the gestural language of Khon with mask (Kan Ti Bot)
  Techniques for conveying various emotions with mask (Kan Sedeang Arom)
  Choreographic excerpt emphasizing various emotions with mask (Khao Hong)

  Thursday, June 5, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Preparation for public presentation

Total of 35 hours of training per participant.

• Training Cost
  
  $266 per person
  *Note that each participant can benefit from a special rate for the festival’s other activities.
• Registration : https://cultureestrie.org/formations/