THE CLOWN CONNECTION is not a regular course...
It's a comprehensive, multi-channeled, transformational program, which will RECONNECT you with your core clown impulse. With live Zoom workshops, video presentations, creative challenges, resource archives, an exclusive Facebook group, and plenty of personal guidance, this experience has been crafted for clowns of all levels and interests.
Love for The Clown Connection
20 years of practice and research organized into 8 units...
UNIT 1
THE SACRED SOURCE
We go back to the roots of clowning to learn about the Heyoka, Newe-kwe, Koyemci, Koshari, and other sacred clowns, exploring what they do and what we can learn from them.
UNIT 3
WISDOM IN MADNESS
We delve into the notion of the clown as a wise fool, the clever concealing of truth with the outward appearance of the idiot, mimicry of madness, and what it means for us in our clowning.
UNIT 5
CLOWN REPERTOIRE
Working with tried-and-tested routines, entrées, gags, turns, bits, lazzi and more. How clowns beg, steal and borrow and what it means to be truly original.
UNIT 7
IMPULSE TO HELP
We examine the growing movement of social/humanitarian/hospital clowning, where it comes from, why it works and what to be wary of.
UNIT 2
HUNGER FOR REVOLT
The impulse to buck against authority, to undermine power and to speak truth to the powerful is essential to the clown. But what does it mean to be political and critical as a clown?
UNIT 4
CLOWN LOGIC
Here we practice the basic principles of clown material and how routines are built, such as establishing the rules of your clown world, setting an objective and working with obstacles.
UNIT 6
INNER CLOWN
The move towards clowning as an exploration and expression of your unique foolishness and the reintegration of the spiritual in the idea of the personal clown.
UNIT 8
TRANSFORMATION
The moment-to-moment encounter with the audience, the magic of connection and how that generates change and new awareness.
What you can expect from THE CLOWN CONNECTION
Engage with latest research & critical ideas about clowning
Practice clowning through focused exploratory exercises
Reflect deeply on what it means for you personally to clown
Share and build community with others around clowning
Gain insights and understanding into your calling as a clown.
How it works
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30 minute Video Lecture with key ideas and research on the week's theme.
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2-hour Zoom Workshop exploring the theme through practical exercises.
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Suggestions for creative 'homework' tasks based on each week's theme.
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(For live course only) Exclusive Facebook group for your cohort, where you will share your progress, ask questions, connect with others!
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Access to a library of clown resources for further research and reading every week.
Each module includes the following:
TWO WAYS TO TAKE THE COURSE...
THE CLOWN CONNECTION will run as a live, synchronous class with a cohort of approximately 10 students, 1-2 times per year.
The benefits of taking it as part of a live cohort is that you get to connect and interact with the other students, as well as getting personalized feedback from your instructor.
If this is for you, click below and drop your name and email so that we can let you know when the class is running.
Hi, I'm Barnaby
THE CLOWN CONNECTION is my pride and joy
Clowning has been my life since 2000 when I was exposed to the magic of clowning and realized that this was my path and my calling.
Since then I have toured solos shows to three continents, founded a clown festival in South America, completed a PhD and published a book about clowning, and taught thousands of people all over the world.
It was during the PhD that I saw how powerful it was to combine theory with practice. The blend of talking about ideas and actually doing clown was inspiring and stimulating.
THE CLOWN CONNECTION is the culmination of 20 years of doing just that. We explore historical, cultural and political perspectives on clowning, but then we put it to work by playing and creating clown material that expresses and examines our ideas.
FAQs
If we can't answer your query here please click below and send us a message. We'd love to hear from you.
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When do these courses run?Most of our courses are 'on demand', meaning they are self-directed using prerecorded materials and can be taken at your convenience. The Clown Connection also runs as a live (though still on Zoom) course 2-3 times a year.
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Is all the work online?The learning materials, including videos, text, images and resources are online. However, an important part of all our courses is developing your own personal practice, which should be done offline.
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Is it possible to learn to clown online?If you're new to the world of online clowning, this may seem like a strange concept, but in fact it is more than possible. Many very highly reputed clown teachers are teaching online and report results just as good as in live workshops, sometimes even better, because courses can last much longer. That said, we would always recommend enriching your training by taking in-person courses and workshops too.
Did you know members of Clown Spirit Village get free access to the DIY CLOWN CONNECTION ?
But that's only the half of it...
CLOWN SPIRIT VILLAGE is a one-stop-shop for people who want to expand their clown life. It includes unlimited access to the entire suite of Clown Spirit courses. Crucially it also gives you coaching, masterclasses, and a resource library.
