Clown Workshops  ~  for Educators  ~  Court Jester  ~  Performances

There are three levels of classes or workshops. As the whole always exists within the parts, elements from every level will be present in each workshop and each level contains vast fields of potential. Lessons within a given level are ever changing and created in the “now” in order to meet the development and needs of individual students. One could, for example, take level one many, many times and still find new material to work with.

1. Introduction to the Simple Fool
2. The Simple Fool as Performer (prerequisite – level 1)
3. a) Advanced Performance Development (prerequisite – level 2)
   b) The Simple Fool as Artivist-court jester, fool or activist (prerequisite – level 2)

Level 1
An Introduction to the Simple Fool:
Discovering the Clown Within

In intimate groups of no more than 12 we do very basic and deep work with the Clown within, developing presence, authenticity, emptiness and listening. By having the courage to be vulnerable with one another, we open ourselves up to the possibility of play, laughter and tears. All the while we review and discuss our experiences in order to understand ourselves better.

Starting with warm ups we establish safety in the space and comfort in our bodies. Then we play games that bring light and joy to the exploration of what lives deeply yet spontaneously within us. Through playing these games, we become comfortable sharing ourselves with others and are able to move on to exercises that gently build skills for performance. Finally, with great nurturing and support from the group, we bravely embark upon the magical journey of improvisational performances. Thus the clown within is slowly discovered!

Level 2
The Simple Fool as Performer:
Going deeper, developing skills

Throughout the introductory work, participants focused on the first levels of awareness – comfort in the body, breath and voice and awareness of authentic feelings and thoughts. This awareness allows us to celebrate the clown within by sharing with others! In The Simple Fool as performer we will continue to explore ever deeper levels of awareness of self in relationship to other while raising our “actor” consciousness to that of the witness and guide. In this work the actor becomes the trusted friend who develops the skills to share the clown with the audience in an artistic way.

More advanced forms are used for warms ups, games and exercises and they are modified to meet the specific individual needs of students. Students are encouraged to step out of habitual patterns of movement, voice and speech in order to develop a wider range of spontaneous capacity. We consciously explore and play with themes such as expansion and contraction, individuality and union and the real and the surreal. Feedback begins to play a more important role during review as we explore the “why” behind the artistic interest that is, or is not generated during improvisations. Students may be encouraged to modify and experiment with exercises in order to address specific performance needs

Level 3 (a)
Advanced performance Development

This is a space for performers to develop improvisations in to rehearsed pieces. Although there is a facilitator to provide structure and form through guided warm ups, games, exercises and improvisations, the ideal of the workshop is collaborative. The workshop experience may culminate in a public performance.

Level 3 (b)
The Simple Fool as Artivist
The court fool, jester or clown as activist

“Artivism is art and action for social and spiritual transformation. We are artivist when we use our art as the medium for activism.” - Dawn

The work of the court fools, jesters or clown as social activist is the art of social transformation through reflection. By mirroring back our experiences the fools allow us to see our thoughts, feelings and actions more objectively, thus bringing clarity and insight.

In this workshop we consider the spiritual implications of how we as clowns can help create the future by becoming mirrors and potential vessels of inspiration for our communities. To be mirrors, artivists must become empty vessels that are able to reflect without personally interpreting. It is essentially a selfless act of love. We must also have the courage and discernment to recognize true and new spiritual inspiration if it comes. This is the ever challenging process of development for the clown as artivist and represents the High Art of The Work. We will humbly use exercises, games, improvisations and feedback to train our abilities to objectively mirror. If we are graced by new inspiration for the future we will celebrate with gratitude!