Fool's First Step: A one-day beginner clown workshop

About

A one-day beginner clown workshop in play, presence and creative expression.

About the workshop

At its heart, clowning is presence.

It asks:

Can I listen?

Can I respond?

Can I let myself be seen before I polish myself into a sensible little biscuit?

Through physical exercises, improvisation and play, we’ll explore timing, responsiveness, connection and the strange little worlds that appear when we stop trying to get things “right.”

The emphasis is on doing, not discussing.

We’ll move.

We’ll play.

We’ll try things.

We’ll let things flop.

We’ll keep going.

Held with care, consent and community, this workshop offers an accessible first taste of clowning for beginners and curious humans alike.

Perfect for

• Beginners curious about clowning
• Performers and creatives wanting to reconnect with play
• Actors, dancers, comedians and theatre-makers who feel too polished or in their heads
• People wanting to develop presence, confidence and expression
• Anyone who feels drawn to clown but nervous about being seen
• Humans who want to work more physically, honestly and in the moment
• You do not need performance experience.
• You do not need to be extroverted.
• You do not need to be good at improv.
• You just need curiosity.

What we'll cover

Across the day, we’ll explore:

• Arriving in the body and building awareness
• Play as a practice
• Connection and shared attention, known in clown as complicité
• Timing, rhythm and responsiveness
• Improvisation through movement and interaction
• Simple solo, partner and group exercises