Funny things occur all the time...
 

but mostly we don’t pick up on them. The comedy of life passes us by because we fail to see the bigger picture or what’s just under the surface. Seeing the humour requires a shift in our normal perspective. Once we connect the dots, and give up seriousness, the absurdity all around us (and within us!), becomes obvious.

Clowns look at life and their own humanity through a comic lens. This is what they share, with an open, honest generosity. Their friendly, innocent nature will unwittingly draw their audience in. When the audience laughs at the clown’s actions, complicity is established (which is also one of the most important elements in triggering more laughter). Their shared enjoyment of events breaks down the division between them; then all the norms begin to waver and an atmosphere of general permissiveness takes over. That’s when things start to get really crazy…and hilarious.“What’s so funny” looks at the different ways to establish, maintain and strengthen a close relationship between clowns and between clowns and audience. Within the workshop we’ll be asking the question, “What do I find funny?”, with the aim of focusing our sense of humour. We will also continue to explore the unique universe of your clown through solo, duo and trio clown improvisations.

In this workshop you will learn...

• Increase your ability to listen to others when performing

• Turn your audience into your ally

• Play with rhythms

• Recognize a game proposal from fellow clowns

• Develop the games that work

• Tune up your comic responses

• Use the audience’s reactions to your advantage

 

Themes we will investigate:
 

• Feeling relaxed and comfortable onstage

• Being honest

• Simplicity / clarity/

• Focus

• Receptivity / acceptance of failure and recreation of success

• Comic emotional responses / exaggeration

• Enjoying being ridiculous.

 

An open disposition towards the work is essential. Come prepared to give and receive, reinvent your self-image, and experience new sensations. Working with the clown, means working with your heart.An open disposition towards the work is essential. Come prepared to give and receive, reinvent your self-image, and experience new sensations. Working with the clown, means working with your heart.