During the first weekend of 2014, the co-founders of Basic Engineering Collective (BEC), an experimental theatre company based in New York, will conduct a workshop in Colombo, on the art of devising theatre.

The workshop is divided into individual sessions, and will take place over four days at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Borella.

The workshop is free, and has been made possible through the generous support of Timothy and Eesha Speldewinde. Participants are welcome to attend any number of sessions.

The facilitators of this workshop, Jithendra Seneviratne (jitsen.com) and Julianna Rusakiewicz (juliannarusak.com), are graduates of the graduate Theatre Program at Sarah Lawrence College, NY.

Jithendra freelances in technical theatre and production, having held the position of lighting designer and electrician for numerous productions, including that of Master Electrician for The Mt. Washington Valley Theatre Company.

He has professional performing credits, the most notable being as The Sexton in Much Ado about Nothing: A production by Shakespeare on the Sound (CT). His play, After Class was produced by Mind Adventures Theatre Co. in Feb 2013.

Julianna currently teaches Media and Performing arts in the New York City public school system, and is the Asst. Production Manager at Sarah Lawrence College. She has worked in production at The Public, New York Live Arts, La Mama, and 3LD. Her most recent work, Tell Them Nothing, was performed at Theaterlab (New York).

Since its inception, Basic Engineering Collective has maintained the philosophy that significant events, inventions and discoveries don't simply offer dramatic themes on which to build a piece; they also present opportunities for further research and new interpretations.

This workshop will introduce the concepts of experimental theater and help inspire a new generation of theater collaborators.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

Jan 2nd— 6-10pm (Session 1)
Jan 3rd — 6-10pm (Session 2)
Jan 4th — 10am-1pm (Session 3) and 2pm-6pm (Session 4)
Jan 5th — 10am-1pm (Session 5) and 2pm-6pm (Session 6)

For a detailed workshop schedule visit http://basicengineeringcollective.webs.com/upcoming. For inquiries and registration, contact the facilitators at [email protected] or visit their website.