Doug Berky

BIOGRAPHY

Performance Formats:

Doug Berky

Doug Berky presents classic theatre arts in performances that transcend age, race and culture. Using the illusion of the mime, the antics of the clown, the transformation of the mask, the suspense of a good story and the excitement of improvisation, Doug inspires laughter and reflection. Doug is available for performances, workshops, master classes and residencies in mask theatre, mask design and construction, and mime and movement. Doug can also sign his performances if requested.

Doug has been performing since the mid 1970's. He has toured with groups such as "The Two Penny Circus" and the "The Montanaro Mime Theatre".  As a member of "The Montanaro Mime Theatre," he appeared in the award winning children's NBC television series, "See Saw," and four television specials for Swedish National Television. In the early 1990's Doug created a video series entitled, "Jesus Stories," and "Light in the Darkness" with Ecufilm.  Since the early 1980's he has toured nationally and internationally with his one-man shows.  Doug has been a featured performer at events such as the Eugene O'Neil Theater Cabaret Symposium and the fifty year celebration of the CROP walk for the National Council of Churches. He has performed and taught as Artist-in-residence at numerous schools and colleges including the Commedia School in Denmark, Roanoke College, Furman University, and the University of Wisconsin.  His mask creations are in use in schools and theaters from Stockholm to Seattle.

Doug combines the classic performance arts of mime, mask theater, and physical comedy into his performance of "No Show".  A performance has been scheduled, but the actor fails to show. Or does he?  What will happen when a lone spectator finds himself unwittingly on stage?  Doug is transformed into several characters ranging from a gorilla to a ballerina as he explores the props and masks on stage.  Audiences experience a variety of theatre forms: mime, mask theater, circus arts, and storytelling in this hilarious performance for the whole family.

Doug Berky's newest performance, ''Gems: The World's Wisdom Stories'' uses storytelling styles from many cultures including masks, mime, inventive costumes and puppetry to introduce families to a collection of wisdom stories from around the world. Each performance is tailored to the audience, with performances including up to four story productions. A performance might include a selection from the following stories: "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" (Aesop's), "The Drip Nose Boy" (Native American), "The Lame Man and the Blind Man" (Middle East), and coming soon "The Tiger's Whisker" (Korea).

"Exploring Communication and Cooperation with Mask and Physical Theatre"

Doug Berky presents versions of this 45 minute interactive workshop for elementary to high school students.  Students will practice skills in cooperation and communication as well as explore movement, character development, mask theater and mime. Younger elementary students will participate in physical theater games that encourage cooperation, following directions, communication, and movement. Older elementary and middle school students will explore movement and communication through techniques from mask theater and mime.

Doug Berky's website

updated 1 year ago