This workshop will take epic stories and ideas and concentrate them into a small space. Often referred to as platform or trateau–this is an essential tool to develop presence, problem solving, and ensemble to discover legible bodies and inspiring narratives. Throughout the session we will isolate voice/sound and physicalization as well as blending film language into staging and editing to present what’s most essential to the narrative.

Workshop will take place in Northeast Minneapolis Fri Nov 13 (7:00 – 10:00 pm) and Sat Nov 14 (10:00 am – 3:30 pm)

There are a number of options to sign up:

• Early Bird rate of $150 available until Oct 23
• Workshop rate of $185
• Limited Audit spots available at $125 (non-participatory observers)

About the instructor:

Mark Benzel is a theatre maker based in Minneapolis, MN. Has devised and directed shows that have toured internationally to acclaim such as: “The perfect fringe play”–National Post and numerous festival awards. Edgar Allan with the Cold Harts had an off broadway run at the SoHo Playhouse. He has created and performed numerous original shows with companies such as Sandbox Theatre, Transatlantic Love Affair, Four Humors, and Live Action Set, including the National Touring Seven Shot Symphony which was awarded a Twin City Theatre Ivey Award for Overall Excellence. He has worked with communities across MN and WI with The Remember Project for over five years to build more dementia friendly communities through theatre and facilitation. In addition to script-based work he also is co-founder of The Improv Movement project a wordless improv group for all physicalities. He has studied clown with Pierre Byland, Phillipe Gaulier, and many others. He has also studied physical theatre and devising with Spy Monkey, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Pig Iron Theatre and others. He has most recently taught workshops and courses on Immersive Theatre, Clown, and Treteau at Dell’Arte International, University of Northern Georgia, St. John’s, St. Benedicts, and Winona State.

Past Participant Testimonials:

“I have done a lot of physical work for the better part of the last decade and this work is helping to reawaken that training!”–Sept ’26 Epic Physical Storytelling Participant

“Room for many moments of delight and connection amidst solid, contextually-grounded information and coaching that responded generously to the varied skill sets of participants”–Sept ’26 Epic Physical Storytelling Participant

“Mark is a very kind teacher who explains things very thoroughly while still letting you fly on your own some”–Fall ’25 Clown Participant

“A game changer for improvisers who want to grow their capacity to receive the gifts that are already there.”–Fall ’25 Clown Participant

“The teacher was excellent at both examples and side-coaching, and it felt like a safe place to start or advance.”–Fall ’25 Clown Participant