INTERNATIONAL CONTORTION CONVENTION
Dresden / Germany, 4/30 to 5/3, 1998

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Ska von Schöning

Artist Manager / Contortion Trainer

Showbiz is a company which has been in existance for nearly 20 years. Ska - the managing director has been creating, training, and producing contortion acts of various kinds for years which have been seen in Europe as well as the US. CHARIS - the Queen of Contortion, Annie O. and Cassy K., who had a very successful run in Las Vegas for several months, are just a few of Ska´s creations. Ska gave the initiative for the ICC 1998.

Brigitte and René Seliger

Artists-Centre Coswig / Dresden

Brigitte & René have been engaged in the field of acrobatics for more than 30 years with Brigitte (a former contortionist) specializing in contortion. Numerous Awards with their special acts like the Coska Sternchen, the Cats and Josina present proof of their outstanding work in the art of contortion. Brigitte and René will be responsible for the organisation of the ICC locally in Coswig/Dresden.

Gerd Rasquin

Horner Sport Verein e.V. Hamburg

Gerd Rasquin is a name who should be known worldwide to all lovers of contortion.
Under his care and guidance such extraordinary, esthetic and beautiful acts like Ivanka, the Jeannies and the Hamburger Showsternchen were created.

The aim of the ICC is to give all those who are either directly working with and/or training contortion acts, or are just fans of this beautiful body art, the opportunity to exchange their experience, their knowlodge and thoughts about contortion. Another goal is to bring together contortion coaches and artists internationally in order to find new ways to support their work and to make contacts with others who share the same fascination and maybe even the same problems in developping their work, thus finding solutions.

We have invited specialists and orthopeadists who will hold presentations on subjects such as: Contortion- Physiology & Training. We want to discuss different training methods with respect to the different personalities of the artists involved. With contortion still being regarded in the public as something unhealthy to practice and with contortion coaches being criticized for their work with young students we would like to enter open discussions to examine why contortion is still suffering this kind of reputation and how to handle such prejudices when confronted with them. Another main topic will be the motivation of young talents interested in contortion and how to give particularily talented artists a chance to be successful and reaching career.

Wokshops with artists who are present will be held, trying to encourage students and artists to exchange their experience and knowledge in the field of contortion. We have invited different artists who are either still appearing or did formerly work as professional contortionists, such as Tunga (who will be coming with four of her artists from the Tunga ensemble), and also Sylke who successfully worked on stage for more than ten years. Both will be happy to answer any questions.

Workshop with makeup artists and a choreographer will be offered if sufficient interest is shown.
On the final evening of the convention a gala with all talents and artists who wish to join in will be organized.
Various sight seeing trips to the most interesting places around Dresden will be arranged.

How to register for the ICC 1998

Interested parties, such as coaches and their students as well as any other parties (guests) are required to apply through SHOWBIZ productions, Cologne/Germany (address see above) by filling in the application form attached to this leaflet. The fee for coaches and guests will be 120 US Dollars in form of a cheque to be sent with the application form. Students and artists are free of charge.

Accomodation for coaches, artists and guests can be arranged through Showbiz upon request (at a modern pleasant small hotel locally)

Guests who would like to take pictures or videos of the artists present are required to apply for a photo- and video permission at an additional charge of US $ 30.00.

Talent Scouting ! Young talents who are interested in joining the ICC 1998 in order to show their skills and perhaps seek for a chance to be coached for a future career as a contortionist are requested to apply in writing (including picture and a general resumé) to:

ICC 98 c/o SHOWBIZ productions, Mrs. Ska von Schöning

A professional committee will view all material sent and decide on which applicants will be invited