2023 Ren Gyo Soh Training Course
RenGyoSoh is offering an intensive training course Spring and Fall. The artistic director and award-winning artist Yokko has been offering her training courses, workshops, and classes in Butoh Dance, Movement, Acting, and Physical Theatre both nationally & internationally since 2014. She has been serving BA, BFA (Acting & Dance) & MFA (Acting) Programs in the USA, and at a Performing Arts University in Italy (Atelier Teatro Fisico). She has created the training courses for each program ranging 30-100 hours, and also privately with actors, dancers, interdisciplinary artist, visual artist, and musicians/performers including a Grammy Award-Winner.
This course will be the condensed and also evolving version of what she has been offering in those programs, such as Butoh Dance, Pure Movement, Noguchi Movement, Acting, LMA, Voice, Yoga, and Physical Theatre.
This course will be the condensed and also evolving version of what she has been offering in those programs, such as Butoh Dance, Pure Movement, Noguchi Movement, Acting, LMA, Voice, Yoga, and Physical Theatre.
Photos by Chris Ignacio
Video Installation by Dann Disciglio Graphic Design by Saki Kawamura Voices from Past Participants
"As a result of working with Yokko, my dancing changed. My body moved in ways that it had never moved before. I found new areas in my body, heart and mind that needed expression, and needed Yokko's unique brand of teaching to get those areas that needed expression released.
Also, Yokko is a wealth of information on Butoh. She deepened my understanding. Also, she offered many resources to take our understanding fo Butoh further. " -Jody P. Gazenbeek-Person (Spring22) "The training that I received from Yokko has been fundamental in my growth as a theatre artist. As a teacher, she is gentle, knowledgeable and attentive and trains each artist as a whole person. She has given me tools that have increased the strength/mobility of my body, access to my imagination, awareness of space and the motivation in which I create work. The training course also gave me a comprehensive understanding of Butoh as an artform. With in-depth exploration of the history, poetry, methodology and theory of the work. I draw on and use what I experienced and learned from Yokko everyday." -Rachelle Dart (Fall 20 & Spring 22)
"Yokko's training course is very challenging and brought me to the most surprising deepest parts of myself and my imagination. The experience is very rich and leads to creation. It inspired me to develop and share my own artistry as an Actor and Singer by giving me space to experiment and combine Opera and Butoh. I plan to take this course over and over again as a resource and inspiration. It's vital to my work as a Performance Artist." -Dianna Cortez (Spring 22)
"Life shift more to center after each class." -Vuong Nguyen (Spring21 & 22)
"I have treasured every moment I have spent in Yokko's classes, during which they shepherded me through both joy and grief, helping me delve into the depths of myself to expand my creative expression. Yokko provides the perfect balance of both structured and open-ended dance exploration, as well as providing the historical framing of different Butoh traditions to further guide us into a understanding of this empowering art form. Always, above all, Yokko invokes the creative spirit, guiding their students into the healing depths of darkness, light, chaos, and form. Yokko lit a fire in me, and I cannot not imagine my life without Butoh or Yokko! " -Malia Carlos (Spring22)
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Fall 23_ Sep. 21 - Dec. 16Session Dates:
Thursdays 7:30-10pm + Performance Party on Dec. 16 (no class Nov. 23 ) Duration: 12 weeks 30 hours + Performance (in class trainings + Assignments & A film video project + Performance Party on Dec.16) This course is limited to 11. Tuition: General $350- *returning students from previous Training Course 20% Discount *AEA (Actors Equity Association) member $50- DISCOUNT *Artists & Students $50- DISCOUNT Class Description:
In this online training course, we will focus on discovering and developing your craft through the incorporation of Butoh Dance, Pure Movement, Noguchi Movement, Laban Movement Analysis, Acting, Clown Game, Voice, Yoga, and Physical Theatre. While we explore this new technologically-driven society, Ren Gyo Soh will continue to offer essential training through an online format. This adds an extra layer that is ever evolving! What is happening right now has certainly been influencing all of us as humans and artists, so why not use this opportunity to evolve ourselves and our work? Through Butoh training, you will be revealing, discovering, and unfolding your hidden self. This is a gift, and you will be able to share that with others. Butoh brings vibrancy to your life. It challenges your limitations physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically and spiritually. Through movement exercises, you will learn your instrument (AKA Body, Mind, Soul), and increase physical awareness so that you can apply this awareness to your work. Everyone is different, and when you bring your individuality into your work, it will blossom with a unique surprise. Throughout the training, we will dive into "Available Body," "Expressive Body," "Receptive Body," "Poetic Body," and "Possible Body," (Those are the terms I use in the class often). Through those bodies / instruments, you may be able to transform and become anything, both living and non-living. UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES! This course will support you to:
Course Schedule: TIME ZONE EASTERN STANDARD (NYC)
Thursdays 7:30-10pm Sep. 21, 28, Oct. 5 : Fundamental Craft Oct. 12, 19: Film Making for Butoh Dance led by Jorge Luna Oct. 26: Nov. 2, 9, 16 : Transformation (NO CLASS Nov. 23) Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 : Application & Synthesis Dec.16 (performing party) *email: info@rehgyosoh.com if you are interested in taking either the Butoh training or the filmmaking a la carte. Rehearsal for the performance party Friday Dec.15, 7:30-10pm Performance Party Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30-10pm (rehearsal 6-7pm) Course Assignments & Project -Weekly Assignments (Readings, Watching & Practicing) -Project (Creating your own work) -Showcase at the end of the course to celebrate Course Requirements
-Wifi -Space to move (Ideally quiet space for you) -Signed liability agreement (please take care of your health and body condition) |
"My dance is the expansion of human concept- letting a human body metamorphosis into anything including an animal, a plant, even an object which does not have a life, and the fundamental ideology of my butoh is finding the possibility." -Tatsumi Hijikata
"Butoh is a dance of life" - Kazuo Ono
"Pay attention to the cracks, because that's where the light gets in"-Leonard Cohen
If it is hidden, there is a flower. If it is not hidden there is no flower. -Zeami (From Flowery spirits)
"Butoh is a dance of life" - Kazuo Ono
"Pay attention to the cracks, because that's where the light gets in"-Leonard Cohen
If it is hidden, there is a flower. If it is not hidden there is no flower. -Zeami (From Flowery spirits)
"In the Spring of 2021 I participated in the Ren Gyo Soh Butoh and Movement workshop. In the darkest hours from winter to spring , I feel like this workshop lifted me up and turned my focus into an exploration of myself and into the possibilities of creation despite the isolation of the pandemic.Yokko provided a broad background of Butoh history with readings by or about the philosophies of both Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno. She also sent us links to various performances from the founders and Yokko’s own teachers and inspirations. The online classes were once a week for three months. Over this time Yokko employed traditional butoh exercises in imagery, as well as Noguchi method warm ups . She also has a depth of understanding in Ayurveda and used the elements to create further awareness and improvisational exercises. Honestly after a few months with my group I started to relax into a space of just letting something inside me bloom. In the end we all created solo works. After the workshop, as spring hit NYC I created a new version of this solo filmed outdoors!!
I can’t recommend this workshop enough. Transformative!" - Erika Hassan (Spring21) “This Butoh training course was a true inspiration for me. Yokko's own immense care and continuous curiosity opened me up to a world of discovery where I found a bounty of imagination, connection, community, and spontaneity. I unlocked so many doors to my body, mind, and soul. Each week, Yokko created a safe space for journeys to unfold—a space where freedom of play and the possibilities of endless experimentation could emerge. Whatever your age, wherever you may be in life, this course offers so much beauty, so much to share and receive, and so much to be grateful for “in the now”. You will need to experience it yourself to fully understand your own transformative power. Thank you Yokko!”-Veda Rouze (Spring21)
"I took Ren Gyo Soh’s Spring Training Course and was amazed by the amount that I learned. From body awareness to a comprehensive examination of Butoh history, philosophy and techniques, Yokko opened up an avenue of physical expression that I would not have been able to achieve on my own."
-Suzanne Willett (Spring 20) "Participating in Ren Gyo Soh's 10 week On-line Fall Butoh Training Course was incredible. Yokko administers her teachings with such care, generosity and kindness. She invites you to work to your own capacity, while gently supporting you to go deeper. The connection I felt to the other artists participating from all over the world was tangible, as was Yokko's ability to make the group feel like a united whole despite the distance separating us. Her creative and innovative use of Zoom as a performance mechanism was inspiring. I wholeheartedly recommend this course." -Jen Murray (Fall 20)
"Yokko is a generous teacher. They create a brave space in the room (whether physical or virtual) in which participants can challenge and surprise themselves. I am always amazed by their knowledge and skill, how they integrate a range of practices. Working with Yokko is a delight and journey whereby performers can deepen their practice and elevate their art, whether you are new to butoh and physical performance or already have your own embodied practice. This is a never ending journey for your body, mind, and spirit. "-Frankie Mulinix (Fall 20)
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Spring 23 I Butoh & Movement in Creation (Advanced)
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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Do what you believe,
Believe what you do; And, Surrender To Unknown path; No fear From the Darkness to the light, We emerge from the darkness, And, We will be guided To the light. We surrender- To the creation. -Yokko |
YOKKO (She/He/They) is an Actor, interdisciplinary Artist from Japan, specialized in Acting, Butoh Dance, Physical Theatre, Movement for Actors, solo performance, and Yoga. She is also a choreographer, director, writer, sound designer, film maker, clown, Theatre educator, certified therapeutic essential yoga & Yoga Nidra instructor and USUI Jikiden Reiki Master Teacher as well. Her works have been presented across the USA and Europe, and received several awards including Best One Woman Show, Best Choreography, & Best Physical Theatre at United Solo 2014-2015 (Butoh Medea). She has acted in, devised, and choreographed a variety of local and international shows and films. Her choreographed & directed work, SHINKA won Outstanding of premier Production of a play and Outstanding Choreography & Movement at New York Innovative Theatre Award 2019. Most recently, her Butoh work has been seen in several music videos, including I Don’t Know Where We Went Wrong (HOKO, 2020) and Ready To Let Go (Cage The Elephant, 2019). She has been regularly offering workshops (Butoh & Movement, Butoh & Physical Theatre, Transformation, Movement for Actors) nationally internationally: Atelier Teatro Fisico Performing Arts University in Turin (Italy), Edinburgh (UK), Warsaw (Poland), Izmir (Turkey), St. Lawrence University (NY), SUNY New Paltz (NY), Amherst College (MA), Actors Studio Drama School MFA, Brooklyn College MFA, Stella Adler Academy of Acting (LA), The Actors Studio (NYC), Ecstatic Dance (NYC), and now Online. She is also producing artistic director of UNFIX NYC. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty in Movement for Actors at Actors Studio MFA program, BA Acting, Directing at Pace Performing Arts international Ensumble program at Pace University, and BFA Acting Studio program at the New Group/ LIU Brooklyn.
AWARDS/GRANTS
Butoh Medea (Performer, Choreographer) Winner of Best One-Woman Show (United Solo NYC 2014) Winner of Best Choreography (United Solo NYC 2014) Winner of Best Physical Theatre (United Solo NYC 2015) Winner of Best Actress (TVolution 2018 Hollywood Fringe Award) Recipient of Special Award (Thespis Festival 2018, Kiel Germany) Nominated for Asian Arts Award (Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015) Nominated for Best International (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018) Nominated for Best Dance & Physical Theatre (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018) SHINKA (Choreographer, Director) Winner of Outstanding Premiere Production of a Play (New York Innovative Theatre Award 2019) Winner of Outstanding Choreography & Movement (New York Innovative Theatre Award 2019) Winner of Outstanding Production of a Dance & experimental production (Planet Connections Theatre Festivity 2018) Winner of Outstanding Choreography (Planet Connections Theatre Festivity 2018) Winner of Outstanding Ensemble (Planet Connections Theatre Festivity 2018) Nominated for Outstanding Actress featured role (The New York Innovative Theatre awards 2018-2019) Nominated for Outstanding Direction (NY IT Award 2018-2019) Hide Your Fires: Butoh Lady Macbeth (Performer, Choreographer) Winner of Best Physical Theatre (United Solo NYC 2017) Winner of Best Sound Design (United Solo NYC 2017) with Jorge Olivo Winner of Best International (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2019) Winner of ENCORE Producers Award (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2019) Nominated for Best O-face Award (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2019) ANTIGONE (Actor) Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Antigone, Planet Connection 2016), BALDY (Actor) Nominee for Best International Performance (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2013) En (Choreographer, Diretor) A recipient of 2019 Brooklyn Arts Fund a new project, En. |
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Jorge Luna is an actor, butoh dancer, filmmaker, writer, and producer from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Acting Credits- FILM- The Week Of (Netflix), planet b234 (Vail, Aesthetica), All The Beautiful Things (Sundance), papa y yoyo, The Last Frankenstein, Catching Fireflies, All Is Not Lost, Angelo, Bx3M TV- Law & Order, The Blacklist, Elementary, Lisey's Story, The Code, One Life to Live, Law & Order: SVU THEATRE- Baipás (George Street Playhouse), Constellations (George S. Lindsey Theatre), Hamlet (Jersey City Theater Center), Deathwatch (Drama League/ New Ohio), The Dream Dances (Irondale), SHINKA (Ren Gyo Soh/ Capital Fringe), Starry Messenger (Theatre For The New City), Cymbeline (Chashama), FLORIDITA, my Love (INTAR), Barceloneta, de noche (IATI), The Tempest (BC) TRAINING: Shakespeare (RADA), BA Theatre (UPR), MFA Acting (Brooklyn College). Luna is an adjunct professor of Public Speaking at Union College. www.jorgeluna.net Butoh Dance Credits with Ren Gyo Soh- EN:2021 (Virtual), SHINKA (Capital Fringe), Yuragi (Grace & St. Paul’s), Brutus’ Love (Grace & St. Paul’s) Filmmaking Credits- planet b234 (feature film), papa y yoyo (butoh short), Untitled (butoh short), How Dare You Make Me Responsible (butoh short), How Dare You Give Me Life (butoh short) Awards and Nominations: ~Nominee, Best Feature Film- planet b234 (co-producer, co-writer, lead actor) - 2022 Aesthetica Short Film Festival ~Best Sci-Fi Feature- planet b234 - 2022 Atlanta Underground Film Festival ~Honorable Mention (Best Feature Film Category)- planet b234 - 2022 International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival ~Best Male Performance- planet b234 - 2022 MidWest WeirdFest ~Best Dance Clip- papa y yoyo (co-producer, co-writer, lead actor, choreographer) - 2021 Phoenix Short Film Festival ~Best Escapism Film- planet b234 - 2021 Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival ~Best Supporting Actor- Angelo - 2012 Downbeach Film Festival |
PAST TRAINING COURSES
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Spring 23 I Feb.-April Butoh & Movement in Creation
Advanced
Session Dates: Thursdays 8-10:30pm + Open Lab on April. 22
Duration: 7 weeks 20 hours (in class trainings + Assignments & a film project + Open Lab on Saturday April. 22 8-10pm) |
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Fall 22 I Sep - Dec.
Session Dates: Thursdays 8-10:30pm + Performance Party on Dec. 17
(no class Oct. 27, Nov. 3 & 24) Duration: 14 weeks 30 hours. |
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Spring 22 I Feb.-AprilSession Dates: Thursdays 8-10:30pm + Performance Party
(no class March 10) Duration: 12 weeks 30 hours (in class training + Projects & Assignments + Performance Party on April 23)-SOLD OUT |
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Spring 21 I February - AprilSession Date: Wednesdays 8-10/10:30pm + Performance Party
(Feb. 3-March 10: 8-10pm, March 17-April 21: 8-10:30pm) Duration: 12 weeks 30 hours (in class training + Projects & Assignments + Performance Party in April 24) - SOLD OUT |
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Fall 20 (Sep.-Dec.)Session Date: Tuesdays 8-10pm
Duration: 10 weeks 20 hours of in class training + Performance Party in Dec. 5 - SOLD OUT |
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Spring 20 (Jan.- April)Date: January 30 - April 18 (Shifted to Online, and finished the course in May 28)
Duration: 8 weeks 20hours (Added 5 more hours due to COVID-19 in Online class setting) |
