Clowning for Performance (8-week course)

The Clown Instituteis a professional clown arts lab dedicated to researching and delivering intensive workshops and regular classes in the art of theatre clowning.Its pedagogical practice is founded upon the Poetry of Nonsense manifesto:- freedom and the rediscovery of your creative self- a celebration of human nonsense- the search for play, movement & curiosity- a state of beauty, awe & wonder

The Clown Institute

Over an 8-week journey, this class will focus on the creative tools for constructing and performing clown acts.

107 Projects Inc

Clowning Workshops

The Clown Institute is a very, very serious professional lab dedicated to nonsense; researching and delivering intensive workshops and regular classes in the art of clowning.

<h2>Clowning for Performance: Creative Clown Laboratory</h2><h3>Weekly Course</h3><h3>Wednesdays | 14 April – 2 June, 2021 (8 weeks)</h3><p>Let’s bring back the joy of performance! </p><p>The clown is at the core of the actor’s craft and they help us build an appetite to perform as you’re free to make courageous choices, fail and play and have an all-round wonderfool time. </p><p>Over an 8-week journey this class will focus on the creative tools for constructing and performing clown numbers for solo, duo and group cabaret and theatrical shows. We will embark on discovering your clown persona, developing a playful relationship with other clowns and increasing your sensitivity to the audience - a three-way conversation that is mega essential for the stage. </p><p>The goal of this creative clown laboratory is to create an atmosphere where it is possible to try out ideas, partnerships, comic structures all while being provided guidance for the creation and staging of acts.  </p><p>You must be prepared for creative work outside of the class hours, between sessions. There will be an optional closed presentation in front of friends and colleagues at the end of the course.</p><p>During this course, the intention is that the following topics will be covered, but not necessarily in the order given.</p><ul><li>The clown’s logic, Reading your audience, Finding ‘the game’ on stage, Discovering &amp; responding to ‘the Flop’, Costume creation, Solo, duo and ensemble routines &amp; act structures.​</li></ul><h3>Perfect for: </h3><ul><li>Actors, clowns, improvisers, stand ups, drama teachers, theatre-makers, people with some level of performing experience is ideal. You do not need to be funny to join this class, just bring your spirit of fun.</li></ul><h3>Cost </h3><ul><li>Full price - $455 per person</li><li>Early bird discount - $365 per person (until 1st March). Promocode at checkout: earlybirdclown</li></ul><h3>Who are you?</h3><p>Actors, clowns, improvisers, stand ups, drama teachers, theatre-makers, people with some level of performing experience is ideal. You do not need to be funny to join this class, just bring your spirit of fun.</p><h3>Who am I?</h3><p>Hello, I'm Alicia Gonzalez and I'm a performer and coach specialising in clowning and the creation of original stories for stage and screen. I utilise physical training as central to the actor and clown. Inspired by the teachings of Lecoq®, my clown approach and research is focused on the poetry and the metaphors that traverse and express out of the clown to help us reach an absurd profundity, a deeper understanding of the human condition, of the universal that goes beyond the personal (that's a mouthful). </p><p>​I've facilitated clowning and movement classes for actors and civilians at many amazing and reputable art centres, academies and theatres across Sydney and regional NSW, including Laugh Masters Academy, Riverside Theatre, Casula Powerhouse and Sydney Theatre School. I'm a comedy writer and performer for Choo Choo Troupe, theatre maker for Clockfire Theatre Company since 2012 and have performed at the Sydney Festival, and Melbourne Comedy and Adelaide Fringe festivals. Proud to be known as Dr Ding Dong, I'm also a medical clown doctor.</p><p>I discovered clown in New York studying with Virginia Scott. I later trained in Paris, France at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq with the likes of Jos Houben and then later with Eric De Bont in Spain. When I'm not trying to find absurdity in the everyday idiosyncratic human condition, I enjoy eating hot, flaky croissants.</p><h3>Nice things said about me...</h3><p>'Alicia’s way of teaching is very playful yet challenging and an extremely useful way of getting to know the clown within you. I learned so much about clowning during my classes with her and it was hands down one of the most valuable workshops I’ve ever done'. - Mathias, clown student</p><p>'I liked the Clowning that I learnt from Alicia Clownzález. Helped me be real in the present, in performance and in life'. - Tim, clown student</p><p>'Thank you so much for pushing me out of my comfort zone, however reluctant I was to be pushed. The class pushed me to be more comfortable with myself and with being vulnerable which is something I never was able to do before. Never thought that would be something I got out this class but I'm so happy I did. The class was so much fun and I hope you continue the classes! ' - Heidi, clown student</p><p>'Clowning has been an inspiring and amazing experience. I've learnt so much about myself more than ever; to embrace my humanity, my flaws, my inner playful child, my insecurities.... I got to recognise and be open to rejection, silence, awkward moments, vulnerability... and being truthful to my feelings'. - Carolina, clown student</p><h3>FAQs + Important Info</h3><p><strong>What to bring</strong></p><p>• Full water bottle as well as an open mind and heart</p><p><strong>What to wear</strong></p><p>•	Please come prepared with movement friendly clothing</p><p>•	Participants may be asked to provide some costume elements for their/or others clown.</p><p>•	Comfortable shoes to move in</p><p><strong>Accessibility</strong></p><p>• For information regarding 107’s Accessibility, please head to - http://107.org.au/accessibility/</p><p>• Please let us know of any special needs or accessibility requirements</p><p><strong>Covid Safe Plan</strong></p><p>•	For info about 107’s mega safe plan, please read</p><p>https://drive.google.com/file/d/18DJOW5rUsrw97hfCpKPb-nVyLEujiav5/view </p><p><strong>Refund &amp; Cancellation Policy</strong></p><p>• Full payment is required prior to the workshop</p><p>• No refunds or transfers</p><p>• In the event that The Clown Institute cancel the workshop, they will provide a full refund of the workshop fee</p><p><strong>Filming &amp; Photography</strong></p><p>• The Clown Institute reserves the right to make photographic and/or visual recordings of workshops for marketing (including website) and archival purposes only</p><p><strong>Minimum age requirements</strong></p><p>•These workshop sessions have an age requirement of 18+. Places are limited.</p><p><strong>Contact</strong></p><p>• For further info and enquiries please email Alicia:  info@theclowinstitute.com </p>