EMBODIED CHARACTERES - Peeping Tom Lab

A Movement-Based Character Development Masterclass

Drawing from a decade of professional dance-theatre experience working as a performer of Peeping Tom and as the director of his own dance-theatre company KAIHO, Brandon Lagaert’s masterclass explores the intersection of movement and theatrical character work. Participants will discover how to harness physical expression to build rich, multifaceted characters through a unique blend of dance and theatrical techniques.

A Master Class in collaboration with Teateralliansen

Masterclass’s Content

1. Physical warm-up and movement exploration

We begin with foundational movement work, where participants engage in dynamic warm-up exercises designed to awaken body awareness and expand movement possibilities. This initial exploration helps participants to tune in with their bodies, break free from habitual movement patterns and opens new pathways for physical expression.

1. Character analysis based on the performances Vader, Moeder and La Visita

Building on this foundation, we'll analyze character embodiment through the lens of the performances Vader, Moeder, and La Visita. These works serve as case studies, demonstrating how complex characters can be developed through specific physical choices and movement qualities. 

1. Movement concepts and the development of signature moves

The masterclass then progresses into practical movement concept work, where participants will develop their own signature moves and movement vocabularies for character creation. This phase focuses on how different qualities of movement can inform and enhance character development.

Brandon Lagaert joined Peeping Tom in 2013 for the creation of Vader, and has also created Moeder, Kind, Dido & Aeneas and La Visita. It is at the company that he has crafted his signature style as a multidisciplinary performer in which he combines elements from different disciplines, such as urban and contemporary dance, theatre, and film. 

As the director of his dance-theatre company KAIHO, Brandon has directed and created various productions for professional companies as well as conservatories such as the award-winning performance Doggy Rugburn for Lithuanian dance company Aura, Welcome To My Funeral for Italian dance company Equilibro Dinamico, Next Stop with the students of the Amsterdam University of the Arts and Oni Wa Soto with the students of Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi in Milan. 

Brandon is also a recurring teacher at the PERA School of Arts in Cyprus where in 2024 he made the award-winning short film The Currency Of Time in collaboration with the students. He is often invited as a teacher of choreography, dramaturgy and movement classes at institutions such as P.A.R.T.S., The Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg, École du Nord in Lille, Performact in Portugal, Architanz in Tokyo and many others.

With KAIHO, he is currently focused on touring the newly created duet Facing Familiar Faces and fostering long-term artistic relationships with the Portuguese circus artist Rui Paixão whom he collaborated with in 2023 for the site-specific production Abandoned Minds and Korean dancer Seungkwan Yang who he collaborated with on the solo Mille Moules in 2024.