“GET OVER HERE!” -Scorpion, MORTAL KOMBAT (1995)

“But I hate clowns!”

Like nightmare clowns? IT and John Wayne Gacy? Have no fear, that’s not what we’re doing! 

“Then why call it Clown Class?”

Let “clown” be an umbrella noun, verb, and adjective: think physical theater, comedy, and improvisation. We’re finding within ourselves a “very playful, very physical, very open, immensely stupid, very childish creature” (Christopher Bayes) whom the audience can’t take their eyes off.

“Oh yay! I love improv!”

Me too! Clown is excellent training for improvisers.  In Clown Class we acknowledge the pressure to be clever and funny and we let fear know it’s not in charge, and it’s made me a stronger (and funnier) improviser.

“But what does class actually look like?”

We introduce ourselves, we have a nice long warmup that may involve playing tag, our feet get squishy and our heads get floaty, we play with tennis balls and hats, we do group games and solo exercises, and we leave room at the end for questions. It’s active and exciting and my face hurts from laughing every time. You’ll probably leave with a new friend.

“What if I’ve never done anything like this before?”

You’ll shine. Beginners make the best clowns.