Physical Poetics: Contact Improvisation w/Karl Frost in Austin

Name: Physical Poetics: Contact Improvisation w/Karl Frost in Austin
Start: 2026-04-17T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-19T21:30:00-05:00
Location: Blue Lapis Light

Schedule

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 09:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Blue Lapis Light | Manchaca, TX

A Contact Improvisation workshop
With Karl Frost
Austin, Texas (@ Blue Lapis Light)
17-19 April
Friday: 7p-10p
Saturday 10a – 6p
Sunday: 5:30p-9:30p
plus, possible Sunday outdoor explorations

Physical Poetics explores contact improvisation as bio-mechanical play and collaborative, experiential art form. Technical work develops functional awareness of self and partner, weight, structure, and mechanical flow, drawing on the Passive Sequencing technique, a release-based approach to CI and proprioceptive awareness. Poetic exploration focuses on the felt experience, sensation, curiosity, imagination, and ineffable meaning in motion. Using “poetry” as a metaphor for creativity in improvisation, we look at diving into and shaping physical narratives, where the “meaning” may be found in the play of physics, the imaginal world, or both. The aim is refined artistry grounded in the joy and curiosity of the body.
For more details on the core practices of CI to be explored in the workshop and on the approaches of physical poetics, follow these links
https://www.bodyresearch.org/contact-improvisation/
https://www.bodyresearch.org/workshops/human-contact-project/poetics-of-contact/

The territory to explore is vast, and the weekend will follow the curiosities and learning edges of the specific temporary community gathering for the weekend. explorations and skill development will be cumulative, building over the weekend.
The workshop is grounded in training exercises from the physically interactive performance work and paratheatrical practices of Body Research Physical Theater.
Optional Sunday morning/afternoon nature exploration – If there is sufficient interest and weather and logistics permit, we’ll take some time for movement and sensory explorations in nature, drawing exploration scores from the Dancing Wilderness Project.
Logistics
An open level workshop for the physically adventurous.
All are expected to be excited to challenge themselves physically and to be comfortable moving through physical contact with another body. If you have questions if the workshop is appropriate, feel free to write with questions to [email protected]
Space is limited to 24, so early registration is recommended.
for registration details, go to the webpage...
https://www.bodyresearch.org/physical-poetics-austin-2026/
Bio
Karl Frost has been teaching and performing contact and related work in body-based creative process for over 39 years. He is known internationally for his dynamic and articulate movement style, rigor in physical research and teaching, and for the edge-pushing nature of his work in both practice and performance. His work, influenced by studies in contemporary release technique, Alexander technique, and martial arts, has been showcased across the US, Canada, Europe, and South America. His performances, via Body Research Physical Theater, take the body and emotionally and physically felt experience as their reference points, often in highly audience interactive frameworks.
Karl holds a PhD in Ecology (emphasis in Human Ecology and Cultural Evolution Theory), and MFA in Dramatic Arts, and a BA in Physics. He is currently a research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany).