Creating organic connections through actual collaboration.
Collaborators Shamus Hunter McCarty and Katherine Perry saw a gap in professional development opportunities for theatre artists in Philadelphia and founded BINJ in 2016. Not everyone can afford or commit to the schedule of a 10 week intensive and so now there's BINJ! Once a month a group of Philly artists of all disciplines gather to learn from one another-we'd love for you to join us!
For $15 you get...
30 minutes of breakfast and get to know ya time
a 2-hour Masterclass
30 minutes of reflection and mimosa
BINJ is currently on hiatus but a full 2019 schedule will drop in the new year! Thanks for BINJ-ing with us!
Previous Topics have included: Fundamentals of Clown with Tara Demmy Rocking the Fight Call with Jacqueline "Jax" Halloway Improvisation for Musical Theatre with Betty Smithsonian Consent in Theatre with Jacqueline "Jax" Halloway Black Mz Frizzle's Artist Oasis-Unleashing the Power of YOUwith Christina May Auditioning and Cold Reading for Television with Kittson O'Neill GAME DAY! Competition as Tools for Making Work with Cat Ramirez The Art of Sampling: How to Incorporate Pop Culture in Your Next Devising Project with Michael Osinski Mining Sensibility: Getting Solo Performance Beyond Autobiography with Jack Tamburri Horror on Stage with Brenna Geffers Expressive Actor with Griffin Stanton-Ameisen
You got questions? We got answers... What is BINJ? A low commitment, affordable, monthly professional development workshop and networking series.
Affordable huh? $15 bucks! We literally can't make it any cheaper-we literally lose money every time someone doesn't show up.
Low-commitment huh? One of our big goals is eliminating hurdles. We would hate to lose attendees because they did not have time to learn a monologue and are embarrassed and so our classes require little to no prep but we may ask you to bring materials like a writing device or specific wardrobe elements as required by the work.
Who is BINJ for? Anyone is welcome-really and truly. That being said we think our classes are best enjoyed by performers, makers, educators and those looking to try out or learn more about techniques in those realms.
Will you be offering programs in design? Oh no! You wouldn't want that! Plus our friends at The Philadelphia Design Center already do that and do it brilliantly!
Will this class help me get work? Oh gosh-who knows? Are you a dedicated and kind artist? That will probably help the most. BINJ is not a skill mastering program. You will not leave a class with a polished monologue or a reel but will leave knowing some new people and being exposed to a way of working or element of the business you may not have known before.
How do I get involved? Sign up on this page! There's a big blue button that says subscribe. Once you sign up you will get e-mails about our upcoming offerings and can sign up digitally. At this time we are a first come, first served set-up and will ask for payment once we have confirmed that you are on the list.
What if my plans change and I can't attend a class I signed up for-will I get a refund? If we are able to bring in someone else for your slot a refund is possible, however we cannot refund last minute cancellations. Please understand our costs cover literally the space, food and payment for our lead artists. THERE WILL NEVER BE A REFUND FOR A CANCELLATION WITHIN 24 HOURS-at that point, send a friend, and tell them it's a present because you've already spent the money.
Where are workshops held? For the remainder of 2017 all workshops will be at Nine Hostage Arts in West Philadelphia.
Can I teach a workshop? Pitch us a topic! We are currently accepting proposals for January 2018 and beyond. All guest artists are paid $50 for their time and get the chance to meet artists they may not already know and try out new practices or refine methodology. A note to any potential lead artists. BINJ is a space to refine notions and play with technique it is NOT an opportunity to devise work with an ensemble that you plan to set with other performers or to develop a piece you are actively engaged in.