Download Nikolas Strubbe 5`11, 170 lbs DOB: June 28, 1985 Biography

Nikolas Strubbe
5’11, 170 lbs
DOB: June 28, 1985
Biography
Nikolas Strubbe is a Creator, Performer & Teacher of Physical Theatre and Circus
Arts. Since 2004, Nikolas has trained and performed in a wide variety of circus & theatre
disciplines including clown, mime, sideshow, burlesque, aerial dance, horror, stand-up
and sketch comedy. Nikolas is inspired by the transformational power of comedy, and is
awed by the ability of Circus Arts and Physical Theatre to create surreal spaces for
storytelling. Out of an admiration for the history and beauty of the forms, Nikolas
dedicates himself to all aspects of the Variety Arts, as student, performer and teacher.
Nikolas is a co-Founder of the Main Street Theatre in San Francisco, an
alternative space dedicated to the creation and presentation of Physical Theatre and the
Variety Arts. He co-founded the circus-comedy troupe “Hut-Ho!” and serves as Circus
Director for the Grand Guignol sideshow company Dr. Kristov's House of Fun & Horror.
He is also a founding member of Livid Cult Burlesque Theatre.
Nikolas was honored to assume the Guest Ringmaster position with the Zoppe
Family Circus during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, performing classic European clown
entrees alongside International Clown Hall of Fame inductee Giovanni “Nino” Zoppe.
Nikolas Strubbe is a regular on the San Francisco Variety Arts circuit, and creates and
stages independent theatrical works under his own name.
Specialty Skills: Storytelling, Clowning, Modeling
Additional Skills: Sideshow Skills, Standup Comedy, Acrobalance,
Juggling (3&4-ball, 3-club, 3-ring), Flying Trapeze (Catching), Static Trapeze,
Neo-Burlesque Dance, Tumbling, Ringmaster / MC duties, Stagehand / Ring Crew,
Corde Lisse, Hoop Dance, Acrobalance, Tightrope Walking, Slackrope Walking,
Fire Dance (Poi), Fire Eating, Costumed Characters and Balloon Twisting.
Training Experience
Physical Theatre
Professional Conservatory Program
Flying Actor Studio, San Francisco, CA
(Fall 2009 - Spring 2010)
A one-year (800+hr) professional training program in:
Physical Theater, Mime, Clown, Circus Arts and Original Theater.
Faculty: James Donlon, Leonard Pitt, John Gilkey, Judy Finelli, Stevo Capko,
Moshe Cohen, Bronkar Lee, Amanda Crockett, Dijana Milosevic, Arne Zaslove.
Mime
Corporeal Mime & Mask
Leonard Pitt, Flying Actor Studio (FAS), San Francisco, CA (Mar 2009)
Physical Theater & Mime
James Donlon, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley, CA (Spring 2009)
James Donlon, FAS, San Francisco, CA
(Mar 2009 - Dec 2010)
Clowning & Characters
Theatrical Clowning
Ben Johnson, Berkeley Rep. School of Theater, Berkeley, CA (Fall 2010)
Stefan Haves, Oakland, CA
(Mar 2010)
Patty Gallagher, UC Santa Cruz, CA
(Spring 2007 - Spring 2008)
Circus Clowning
Giovanni Zoppe, Zoppe: Italian Family Circus, Chicago, IL (Dec 2008)
Jeff Raz, Clown Conservatory, San Francisco, CA
(May 2008)
Neo-Classic Mime-Clown
James Donlon, FAS, San Francisco, CA
(April 2009)
ClownZEN
Moshe Cohen, San Francisco, CA
(April 2009 & Feb 2011)
Commedia dell'Arte
Julie Goell, West End Studio Theater, Santa Cruz, CA
(Sept 2009)
Jeff Raz, Clown Conservatory, San Francisco, CA
(Jan 2009)
Circus Skills
Flying Trapeze
Stefan Gaudreau, Trapeze Arts, Berkeley, CA
(April - Oct 2008)
Various Instructors, Trapezium, Montreal, Quebec
(Aug 2006)
Static Trapeze
Rain Willson, Athletic Playground, Oakland, CA
(Aug 2009)
Various Instructors, Les Noctambules, Nanterre, France
(July 2007)
Aerial Tissu & Spanish Web
Chris Germaine, Monterey, CA
(Summer 2007)
Mir&a Company, Santa Cruz, CA
(Spring 2006)
Beginning Tumbling
Amanda Crockett, FAS, San Francisco, CA (Fall 2009)
Shira Yaziv, Athletic Playground, Emeryville, CA
(Jan 2009)
Xia Kemin, Trapeze Arts, W. Oakland, CA
(Summer 2008)
Various Instructors, Les Noctambules, Nanterre, France
(July 2007)
Sideshow Skills
Rio Deja Licious, Ramshackle Sidewalk, Santa Cruz, CA
(May 2008)
Tight Rope
Merrie Mary, Vagabond Circus Workshop, Monterey, CA
(May 2006)
Juggling
Judy Finelli, San Francisco, CA
(Dec 2009 - April 2010)
Bronkar Lee, San Francisco, CA
(Nov 2009)
Matt 'Poki' McCorkle, Oakland, CA
(Spring 2009)
Misc. Skills
Theatre as Political Action
Ed Holmes, Flying Actor Studio (FAS), San Francisco, CA
Stage Combat & Safety
David Perez, Ramshackle Sidewalk, Santa Cruz, CA
David Madwin, Ramshackle Sidewalk, Santa Cruz, CA
Burlesque Dance
Sin Sisters Burlesque, Santa Cruz, CA
Standup Comedy
Doug Holsclaw, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Balloon Twisting
Sari Mitchell, Most Unique Parties & Ponies, Santa Cruz, CA
(Nov 2009)
(May 2008)
(May 2008)
(May 2008)
(Fall 2007)
(Fall 2007)
Additional Skills & Areas of Personal Study:
Modeling; Cartooning; Graphic Design; Web Design; Event Production;
Youth Education; Alternative Education; SEL (Social-Emotional Learning);
Circus History; Silent Film Comedy; Aerial Dance; Eccentric Dance;
Massage Therapy (Esalen Style and Swedish); Beginning Spanish.
Artistic Experience
Performance Companies
Livid Cult Burlesque Theatre
Co-Producer, Writer, Performer. Livid Cult is a Burlesque Theatre troupe,
dedicated to providing a high-caliber forum for underrepresented populations in
modern Burlesque to perform their art. We embrace: queer performers, people of
color, male dancers, non-traditional body types, etc. Livid Cult passionately
expands the possibilities for storytelling and theatre within the art form.
Productions:
Silent Strip - 2011
Dr Kristov
Circus Director, Co-Founder, Performer. Dr Kristov is a Grand Guignol
inspired company performing original evening-length works of satire, vaudeville
and macabre storytelling. Since 2007, Nikolas has written for and been a
principle performer in three Dr Kristov productions:
Dr Kristov’s House of Fun & Horror - 2007
Dr Kristov’s Parlor of Sin - 2008
Dr Kristov’s Garage of Fun & Horror - 2009
“Hut-Ho!”
Co-Founder, Clown, Producer - From 2007-2010, Nikolas created and
performed original short works of Clown theatre in “Hut-Ho!” With Co-Founder
David Madwin, “Hut-Ho!” presented “Dynamic Circus Comedy” in Circus and
Theatrical styles for cabarets, burlesque revues, private parties and festivals.
Freelance and Professional Performance Work
Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2011)
Street Theatre Artist – Performed an eclectic and ever-evolving repertoire of
street shows (20-45 minutes in length) featuring Clowning, Storytelling and
Ropewalking.
Morocco’s (2010-2011)
Resident Performer – Fire Artist and Mime
Morocco’s Restaurants, San Jose & Mountain View, CA
Mixamo (2009-2011)
Motion Capture Actor - Primary movement actor for dozens of adjustable
professional stock motions at Mixamo, which are primarily used in video games,
but also in CGI films and simulators.
Circo Poetico (2011)
Clown, Interpretive-Mime
Produced by Main Street Theatre & Haight-Ashbury Literary Journal
Main Street Theatre, San Francisco, CA
Eight (2011)
“The Incredible Feelzo” - created and performed by Nikolas Strubbe.
Main Street Theatre, San Francisco, CA.
Love, Not Love & Mustaches (2010)
“Trapeze Burlesque” – aerial comedy created and performed by Nikolas Strubbe
Main Street Theatre, San Francisco, CA.
South First Fridays @ MACLA (2010)
Resident Performer – Fire Artist and Sideshow
Movimiento Arte Cultura Latina, San Jose, CA
Fitness in Motion Fundraiser (2010)
“Hitch Nord” – Storyteller/Self/The Driver
A Story of madness, isolation and empathy beyond the borders of civilization,
created and performed by Nikolas Strubbe.
Womens Building, San Francisco, CA
Flying Actor Studio (2009-2010)
Evening-length performances, showcasing short works of Physical Theatre
Flying Actor Studio, San Francisco, CA
Gala Showcase (June 2009)
“Clown Contortion”– Clown-Contortionist
Dreams (Feb 2010)
“Dream #3”– Dreamer
“The Shoulder Dance” - Clown #1
FAS at The Climate (April 2010)
“Clown Contortion” – Clown-Contortionist
“The Shoulder Dance” – Clown #1
“Lost in the Underground” - Ensemble-Mime
“Pregnancy” – The Alien
“Sack ‘o’ Potatoes” – The Knife
“Monstrous Menagerie” - Puppet-Master’s Apprentice
Graduation Showcase (June 2010)
“The Shooting Gallery” – Victim
“Ready!” – Waiter
“The Herzog Cafe” - Werner Herzog
“Hitch Nord” - Storyteller/Self/The Driver
Zoppe, Italian Family Circus (2008-2009)
Ringmaster Brea, CA (Nov 2009)
Stage Manager, Rope Walker Various Cities (Aug 2009 - Nov 2009)
Ringmaster “Nino's Magical Holiday Adventure,” Chicago, IL (Dec 2008)
The Stone Wife (2009)
Sam Burns
An original play written and directed by Helen Pau.
Berkeley City Club, Berkeley, CA
Young California Writers Project (2009)
Eric, Rox, Monkey/Pirate
SF Mime Troupe & Brava Theater, San Francisco, CA
East Bay Circus Cabaret (2008-2009)
Producer, Director, Performer (MC, Clown, Trapeze-Burlesque, Sideshow)
Flux 53, Oakland, CA
Hubba Hubba Revue (2008)
Sailor
DNA Lounge, San Francisco, CA
Clown Burlesque Extravaganza
Recurring evenings of short works in Clowning and Burlesque.
418 Project, Santa Cruz, CA
Extravaganza 2008
“Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia” – The Gentleman / Janitor
“Snidely” - Snidely
“Manly Minutes” – HutHo!
“The Bear Trap” – The Hunter
“Pants Dance” – Juggler
“The Handyman Hoochie-Coo” – Janitor / Dancer
Extravaganza 2009
“Disco Dancing” – Nikolai
“Smelly Love” - Janitor
“Manly Minutes” – HutHo!
“Clown Contortion” – Janitor / Clown
Indy Clowns Showcase (2008)
Director, Clown
University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Being Thankful For The Morning After (2008)
Cayenne
An original play by Caity Malcolm, Directed by David Madwin for the
Chautauqua Theater Festival.
University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Vagabond Circus Presents: “Doris & the Moon” (2006)
Writer, Director, Juggler, Narrator
An original ensemble circus-play created for the Vietnamese Students Association
Gala Showcase of 2006.
Teaching Experience
Nikolas Strubbe - personal teaching practice (2006 - Present)
Private lessons and small group workshops in Circus and Performing Arts.
Workshops include: “Ropewalking & Balance,” “Mime for Models,” “Static
Trapeze for Beginners,” “Theatrical Clowning,” and “Act Coaching for Variety
Performers.”
Circus Boot Camp (2010 - Present)
Instructor & Co-Creator of Circus Boot Camp, a fitness-infused introduction to
Circus Arts. Rotating courses emphasize conditioning, skill-building and
performance techniques. Topics of instruction include: Tumbling, Aerial
Conditioning, Static Trapeze, Object Manipulation, Balance, Partner Acrobatics,
Slapstick, Clowning and Mime.
The Nueva School (2011)
Instructor of after-school enrichment courses in Circus Arts for 6-8 year olds and
9-11 year olds. Topics include Juggling, Rope Walking, Static Trapeze,
Clowning, Mime, Hoop Dance and
Nueva Summer (2009-2011)
Comedy
Lead Instructor (2011) and curriculum developer for “Comedy 101” and
“Comedy Superstars. These day camp electives teach 8-10 year olds and
11-13 year olds a cross section of comedic arts, including: Standup, Satire,
Cartooning, Clowning, Physical Humor, Jokes, Sketch & Musical
Comedy.
Under the Big Top
Lead Counselor (2010) & Counselor (2009) Responsible for developing
and implementing summer camp curricula in the Circus Arts for campers
aged 4-8. Subjects taught include Clowning, Static Trapeze, Tumbling,
Character Work, Poi, Juggling, Hula Hooping, Costuming and Tightrope
Walking. In Summer 2009 I began as a Counselor and curriculum
developer. In Summer 2010, I was asked to take over the camp as Lead
Counselor, where I was in charge of a team of four Circus Arts
Counselors.
Rising Stars (2009-2010)
Guest Instructor. Responsible for developing and implementing creative lesson
plans for young actors (aged 5-16) within expressive, practical and business
related themes. Subjects taught include Comedy, Circus Arts, Monologues,
Scenework, Improvisation, Commercials, Mime.
Kennolyn Camps (2008)
Catcher & Instructor of Introductory Flying Trapeze to campers aged 5-12. Also
served as the primary Circus Arts instructor.
Trapeze Arts (2008)
Instructor of Introductory Flying Trapeze to students of all ages. Also served as
a Flying Trapeze Catcher, and as an instructor of Youth Circus classes (2-12 y/o)
in tumbling, static trapeze, object manipulation, clowning and more. Also part of
the build-crew for the assembly of Flying Trapeze rigs at special events.
Indy Clowns (2008)
Director & Instructor of a 4 month intensive experiment in ensemble Theatrical
Clowning. This ensemble was led and formed in conjunction with the UC Santa
Cruz course “Independent Study in Clowning,” with Patty Gallagher as the
Faculty sponsor. In-class direction and instruction was provided by Nikolas
Strubbe , along with Assistant Director David Madwin.
Ramshackle Sidewalk (2008-2010)
Founder & Instructor. Ramshackle Sidewalk was formed to provide free or lowcost Circus Arts workshops, informational resources and showcase opportunities
to the performer communities of Santa Cruz, California and the San Francisco
Bay Area.
Vagabond Circus Workshop (2006)
Founder & Instructor. Vagabond Circus Workshop was formed to provide free
Circus Arts workshops and informational resources to the student and performer
communities of California’s Central Coast. In order to deepen the learning, and to
build artistic community among the geographically and culturally diverse Central
Coast, the Vagabond Circus Workshop served as a host and hub for many
professional circus artists and teachers from the region. Guest workshops
included instruction in: Juggling, Stilt Walking, Rope Walking, Tumbling and Poi.
This series was made possible with the generous support of Monterey Peninsula
College.