Avner the Eccentric facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avner the Eccentric
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2012
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Avner Eisenberg
26 August 1948 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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| Occupation | Clown, performance artist, mime, juggler and sleight of hand |
Avner Eisenberg, known by his stage name "Avner the Eccentric", is a famous American performer. He was born on August 26, 1948. Avner is a talented clown, mime, juggler, and magician who uses sleight of hand. One critic called him "A clown for the thinking man and the most exacting child."
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Early Life and Training
Avner Eisenberg was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to four different universities. He studied many subjects before choosing theater. In 1971, he earned a theater degree from the University of Washington.
After college, Avner went to Paris to study mime. He learned from a famous teacher named Jacques Lecoq. During this time, he also worked as a puppeteer. Later, he returned to the U.S. and taught at a theater school in California.
Becoming a Performer
Avner started performing at Renaissance fairs and on stages. He became well-known for his unique style.
Acting in Movies and Plays
In 1985, Avner played the main character in the movie The Jewel of the Nile. This film also featured his friends, The Flying Karamazov Brothers. Critics praised his acting in the movie. One reviewer said he "very nearly steals the film." Another called him "a true comic discovery."
Avner also performed in many plays.
- In 1984, he had his own show on Broadway.
- He appeared in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in 1987.
- He played a ventriloquist in the Broadway play Ghetto in 1989.
- He has acted in plays like Waiting for Godot and Zoo of Tranquility.
- He also played the artist Robert Crumb in a play called Comix.
Solo Performances Worldwide
Avner is famous for his solo act, which has no words. He performs it all over the world. He has been to many big festivals, including:
- The Edinburgh Festival
- The Israel Festival
- The Festival of American Mime
- The International Festival du Cirque in Monte Carlo
In 2004, his show in Paris was completely sold out for three months.
Other Work and Interests
Besides performing, Avner also teaches. He is certified in special techniques like Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP. He teaches workshops on silent theater skills. These workshops help students and professionals in health care, education, and counseling.
He also serves on the board of directors for the Etz Chaim Synagogue in Portland, Maine. As of 2009, Avner lives on an island in Maine.
See Also
In Spanish: Avner the Eccentric para niños
