ZICA Staff & Faculty
At Teatro ZinZanni and the ZinZanni Institute for Circus Arts (ZICA), we are very fortunate to work with some of the world’s leading comic, circus and musical performers. ZICA draws from Teatro ZinZanni’s incredible talent and puts them to work directly with its students. Many of our performers are fourth or fifth generation circus performers and naturally expect to pass along the strength of their experience and knowledge to youth and young adult students.
Staff
Markus Kunz
Director of Education and Managing Director of Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle
Markus brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, administrator and curriculum specialist to his role as director of ZICA. Originally from Switzerland where he held the posts of Managing and Artistic Director of the Theater “Dimitri,” in Verscio and Artistic Director for KleinTheater in Lucerne, Markus brings a long career in the theater to the spiegeltent. He’s been an instructor, a researcher, a project manager, a producer, a dramaturg, a board member, an acting coach and a fundraiser. For Theater Dimitri, a cultural center serving established actors, actors making their debut, theater and museum lovers and artists from all over the E.U. and the world, Markus managed the school, the company, a museum and a restaurant, producing over 200 shows a year. Markus convened a task force of Teatro ZinZanni staffers whose passion and experience for both circus arts and summercamps resulted in the successful launch of Camp ZinZanni in July 2008.
Reenie Duff
Artistic Director Camp ZinZanni
Reenie joined One Reel in 1994 as the Regional Booking Manager for Bumbershoot. The following year she became Programming Director and Artistic Director for Bumbershoot: Seattle's Arts & Music Festival. She worked as the Artistic Director for the WOMAD Festival in Marymoor Park, provided the artistic leadership and vision for The Seattle Art Museum's Black & White Ball, The LoDo Festival in Denver, and other One Reel projects. Currently, Reenie is the Associate Artistic Director for Teatro ZinZanni, handling the casting and booking of artists in both Seattle and San Francisco and works on development of new projects for the company.
Dolorèze Léonard
Head Coach Camp ZinZanni
With over two decades of performing experience to her credit, Dolorèze is a master clown and respected teacher who conducts buffoon workshops all over the world. She began her career as a guerrilla street artist and was later one of the original members of Cirque du Soleil. Léonard toured for five years with Pomp, Duck & Circumstance, where she created her fiery tyrant character “Madame Zazou.” Dolorèze helped launch Teatro ZinZanni in 1998 as an original cast member and has also directed the show.
Korum Bischoff
Marketing Manager
Korum Bischoff, Marketing & Design Manager for Teatro ZinZanni, has worked for Teatro ZinZanni since 2002. A professional drummer for over 13 years, he is a founding member of the local band, The Dead Science and has shared the stage with Blonde Redhead, Interpol, Jon Hendricks and Billy Taylor. A resident of Bainbridge Island, Korum founded the Island Music Guild, a non-profit music school, with five other teachers in 1999 and was the school's vice president for three years. He also served on the board of the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council for three years. A teaching musician with 22 current students, Korum has taught drum lessons to hundreds of students over the past 11 years. He also oversees a monthly teen concert series on the island.
Elektra Durkee
Events & Education Manager
Elektra Durkee joined Teatro ZinZanni in 2008, and is thrilled to be Camp ZinZanni's Events and Education Manager. An alumni of a number of different Seattle Art, Photography, and Theatre Summer Camps - she brings to each meeting a passion for summer play and organization. Born and raised in Seattle, Elektra returned in 2008 after 8 years of living and working in San Francisco in Entertainment Management and Marketing.
Ian Jamison
Technical Director, Logistics and Operations
Ian Started with Teatro ZinZanni in 1998 as the first Lighting Designer/Technical Director under the Belgian tent in Seattle and was integral in the creation of the San Francisco show as well. Ian was the Production Manager for WOMAD U.S.A. and Stage Manager for Summer Nights At the Pier, Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival and many other arts organizations on both the East and West Coast. Ian sas Toured the USA, Canada, and the former USSR as a Lighting Designer, Stage Manager and Puppeteer and has been working in theatre since 1982. Being a part of ZICA gives Ian the ability to inspire youth to get involved in the performing arts and to carry on the tradition of circus performance. Ian lives on a small farm on Vashon Island with his wife and son whom are also both active participants in the performing arts and the circus!
Jake Nelson
Arts and Crafts & Logistics and Operations
Summer 2009 Faculty
Bernard Hazens
Bernard has been thrilling and amazing crowds for the past four years with his one of a kind act, a dynamically choreographed combination of acrobatics, juggling, and Rola Bola. Since his debut with Cirque du Domain in 2004, his career has taken him to many destinations around the world from South Korea, Europe, Israel, and to the United States. Bernard made his first Teatro ZinZanni appearance in 2005. Since then, he has appeared in NBA halftime shows and was nominated for the Best Halftime Show for 2007. He then went on to Germany's variety and dinner show circuit in the winter of 2007 for Roncalli's Bajazzo in Cologne. In 2008 Bernard returned to his home country of Israel for a short cameo in the national tour of the Cirque du Soliel-influenced Circus Dorolla. This past winter Bernard returned to Germany for Roncalli's Panem et Circenses in Essen. He has also appeared on television numerous times. He competed on Rising Star, Israel's version of America's talent show The Next Big Thing in 2007. In September 2008 Bernard appeared on the decade-old widely-acclaimed, Le Plus Grande Cabaret hosted by Patrick Sebastian in Paris.
Duo Madrona
It all began in a madrone tree. At the time, future trapezists Ben Wendel and Rachel Nehmer were biology students working together as laboratory partners, spending afternoons on a trapeze suspended in the tree outside their apartment. After graduating from Haverford College in 2004, the pair relocated to Seattle, where they found a new (indoor) home for their trapeze bar at the newly-opened School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA). Biologists by day, trapeze artists by night, the couple spent several years developing their material before eventually deciding to retire from science and devote themselves to a life in the air. Duo Madrona's stunning duet has been featured at Seattle's own Moisture Festival (2006, 2007, 2008) and many other local events, across the United States with Circus Flora and the Banana Moon Circus, and internationally at the prestigious 29th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Duo Madrona's unique story has been covered by KUOW's Sound Focus, Radio France International, and NPR's Morning Edition. Ben and Rachel made their Teatro ZinZanni debut in Under the Gypsy Moon!
Frank Ferrante
Frank Ferrante, is an actor and director described by The New York Times as “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.” Frank originated the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue written by Groucho’s son Arthur in New York, London and on PBS television. He earned New York’s Theatre World Award, a NY Outer Critics Circle nomination and London’s Laurence Olivier nomination for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year.’ The Chicago Tribune deemed his improv ‘masterful’ and The New York Times called him ‘artful.’ He has been profiled on The Today Show, Regis, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, the BBC and recently was a question on TV’s Jeopardy. In 1995, he directed and developed the premiere of the Pulitzer finalist Old Wicked Songs. Frank directs and acts throughout the world and has been a regular at Teatro ZinZanni since 2001.
Les Petits Frères
Les Petits FrËres (Gregory Marquet, Mickael Bajazet, Domitil Aillot) formed in 1993 at the internationally acclaimed Annie Fratellini Circus School in Paris where they were trained in the circus arts by master teachers Davis Bogino and Nelly Rachman. The European press called them the ìFloating Actî because of their unique ability to defy gravity with graceful aerial acrobatics. The wit and charm of their unforgettable act has been captivating audiences around the world for many years. In 1999 they toured the U. S. with Barnumís Kaleidoscape; In recent years they have performed at some of the best venues in the world including Cirque DíHiver Bouglione and Apollo VariÈtÈ in Paris, Tiger Palast in Frankfurt, Winter Garden in Berlin, and Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle and San Francisco.
Noah Moore
Incorporating multiple performing and juggling disciplines has led Noah Moore to train with circuses in Argentina, Brazil and China. After being exposed to a multitude of different cultures, Noah's performing style has become a montage of dance, clowning, martial arts and prop manipulation. His specialty acts include: kung fu contact ball, devil stick, ball juggling, capoeira contact staff, nunchaku and poi. Seasoned with fiery street shows, glow and LED prop conference performances, and well lit special occasions, this versatile performer is prepared to tantalize the taste buds of any audience. Noah also uses his knowledge of nutrition and athletic performance as a way of regulating his diabetes and empowering others to live a healthy lifestyle. Visit www.noahsvoyage.com for more stories about The Instruments of the Now, motivational performing and traveling with diabetes.
Soizick Hebert
Soizick Hébert is a multi talented and eccentric artist: part clown, musician, singer and comic, she has entertained crowds internationally for over 30 years. In the 1980’s she partnered with Johnny Filion to create the hilarious duo “Les Voilà!.” The duo performed over 6000 shows around the world for 22 years. In the late 1990’s, their act performed with Cirque du Soleil in Dralion and with the Cirque Éloize in Excentricus. As a solo artist she played in various theaters worldwide including Teatro ZinZanni in San Francisco and Seattle. Other credits include the creation of the show Orchestra Nova, Luna Variety, le Lion D’or, Cirque du Tonnerre, Cirquissimo, Barney, le Baron Fou, and in Gannymée on Water. Schools worldwide call upon her expertise as acting and clowning coach. She also teaches regularly at the prestigious École de Cirque de Québec. As one of Québec’s first and most important women clowns, her work is mentioned in the Anthology of Clowning written by Yves Dagenais, the book will be available at the end of the 2009.
ZICA In The News
"Here's a worthwhile way to clown around"
- Everett Herald (12-28-09)
Read Article
"Eric's Little Heroes: A 3-ring Circus"
- KOMO 4 News
Watch Segment
"Seattle arts groups get creative to attract younger generations"
- Seattle Times (8-9-09)
Read Article
"Camp ZinZanni lets kids step into the ring"
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer (8-13-08)
Read Article
"Teatro ZinZanni to run circus school under its big top"
- Puget Sound Business Journal (6-27-08)
Read Article
Coming Up
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 40
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
Acrobalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will star with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, equilibristics, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts and more.
Get more info
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 35
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
AcroBalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will start with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, tight wire, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts, and more.
Get more info
Objects in Motion + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 40
camp
July 12 – July 17, 2010
Objects in Motion + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of juggling, object manipulation and clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, students will begin each morning with juggling sessions and then explore the manipulation of objects such as yoyo's, rings, ribbons, spinning plates, diabolo, cigar boxes, spinning clubs and hats.
Get more info
Watch Segment
"Seattle arts groups get creative to attract younger generations"
- Seattle Times (8-9-09)
Read Article
"Camp ZinZanni lets kids step into the ring"
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer (8-13-08)
Read Article
"Teatro ZinZanni to run circus school under its big top"
- Puget Sound Business Journal (6-27-08)
Read Article
Coming Up
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 40
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
Acrobalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will star with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, equilibristics, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts and more.
Get more info
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 35
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
AcroBalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will start with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, tight wire, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts, and more.
Get more info
Objects in Motion + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 40
camp
July 12 – July 17, 2010
Objects in Motion + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of juggling, object manipulation and clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, students will begin each morning with juggling sessions and then explore the manipulation of objects such as yoyo's, rings, ribbons, spinning plates, diabolo, cigar boxes, spinning clubs and hats.
Get more info
Read Article
"Teatro ZinZanni to run circus school under its big top"
Read Article
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 40
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
Acrobalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will star with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, equilibristics, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts and more.
Get more info
AcroBalance + Clowning
Ages 9-16 | Capacity: 35
camp
July 05 – July 10, 2010
AcroBalance + Clowning gives students ages 9-16 the chance to learn the basics of floor acrobatics and balance with clowning. Under the guidance of professional performers, the students will start with tumbling and then will explore rola bola, tight wire, unicycle, rolling globe, aerial arts, and more.