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Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clown

2010-03-15T12:52:00.000-04:00

Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clowns

From June 3rd to 6th, 2010, some of the World's best Clown and Physical performers will take over 6 Noble Street, the beautiful Pia Bauman School of Creative Movement.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.

The Toronto Festival of Clowns aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds and provide a common space to showcase their work.

Now entering its 5^th year, the festival continues to encourage the risk and exploration of the clown, hosting new and established works that inspire and delight.

Past festivals have hosted some of North America’s top clowns, including David Craig (Roseneath Theatre, Napalm the Magnificent), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), Sue Morrison (Institute of Canadian Clowning), John Turner (Mump & Smoot), and Leah Cherniak (Theatre Columbus).

Call for performers
They are looking for 4 full-length productions with a maximum show length of 60 minutes. All forms and styles of clowning and physical theatre are encouraged to apply – Red nose, mask, bouffon, character pieces, acrobatics, et al. Please note that the festival is not tailored towards children.
How to Apply
Your application should include the following:

Primary contact name, phone, snail and email addresses
The title of your piece, playwright, genre and running time
Performer/company names and bios
Short description of piece/Letter of intent (maximum 3 pages)
Photos are very important for us to have to get some visual sense of your show/what you’re working on. Hard copies are great or digital files – send to festival@torontoclown.com
Video (optional)
Technical or other special requirements (we may be able to accommodate these with enough notice)
2 cheques/money orders payable to Canada Clown:

a non-refundable $25 CDN administration fee
$150 production fee: This will ONLY be cashed if your show is accepted into the Festival – if your show is not accepted, the cheque will be destroyed

They must receive your application on or before Monday March 22^nd, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. On or before April 5^th you will be contacted regarding the status of your application. Should your show be accepted, you will be notified at this time of performance dates and times.

NOTE: If you withdraw from the festival after April 19^th, you will lose 50% ($75) of your production fee. If you withdraw from the festival less than one month prior to your performance date, your $150 production fee will not be refunded.
To apply send your submission to:
Toronto Festival of Clowns
551 Concord Ave. #1
Toronto, ON, M6H 2R2
What you get:

2 performance dates and times over the duration of the festival.
All performances in a newly renovated 115 seat theatre, with back stage access and a back cross
Basic festival lighting and sound capability
2 lighting specials per company
A green room
Blanket festival publicity – the Festival has been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC, Andy Barrie in the morning, NOW Magazine and the Festival has also served as a scouting ground for Cirque du Soleil.
75% percent of the ticket money sold for your show. Single tickets will cost $10.

NOTE: You must PROVIDE YOUR OWN STAGE MANAGER for your production should you be accepted into the Festival.

If you have any questions please feel free to email: festival@torontoclown.com

The Holey Trinity of Festival Producers:
Dave McKay, Adam Lazarus, Sarah Buski

I am my own commedia mask

2010-02-24T21:33:00.000-05:00

In honor of International Commedia Dell'arte day, I took a series of self-portraits with my ibook camera that I am titling "I am My Own Commedia Mask"

Masks? I don't need no stinkin' masks! :o)

I've attached the slideshow here. But if you can't see them because you don't get flash, visit http://bit.ly/commedia_faces for the FLICKR page.

February 25: International Commedia Dell'Arte Day

2010-02-19T06:00:00.002-05:00

(Thanks to new papa Brian Foley for bringing this to my attention!) He'll also be performing at the View Theatre, Roy Arias Studios on Feb 25 in celebration. See the postcard below for details)

Associazione SAT

has proclaimed February 25, 2010, a worldwide Commedia dell'Arte Day

Simultaneous events will occur all around the world as theatre companies, scholars, students, and audiences celebrate Commedia dell'Arte on Feb 25, 2010. There will be shows, conferences, lectures, and workshops in dozens of global cities. This worldwide festival is promoted by the Italian cultural association SAT and organized by Faction of Fools using viral and grassroots tools, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

View the current list of worldwide participants!

For more information, email them, join the Facebook group “Commedia
dell'Arte Day,” and become a "Facebook fan" of Faction of Fools.

Theatre companies--large and small--will produce shows in the style of Commedia dell'Arte using traditional character types and scenarios. On Feb 25th, events will occur in hundreds of cities as diverse as Boston, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Beirut. The flagship event will be in Bologna where SAT and La Fraternal Compagnia will host an international conference of prominent European scholars and performers. Other companies are invited to produce events in their own cities and may utilize the free scripts and performance guides that are available on the Faction of Fools website http://www.factionoffools.org.

Commedia will also be in the classroom as theatre instructors dedicate their February 25th class time to Commedia dell'Arte at drama schools and universities around the world. Primary and secondary school teachers in the US can find easy-to-use, free curriculum that will aid them in teaching a lesson on Commedia dell'Arte tailored to their theatre, art, history, literature, or language classes. Curriculum will be available on the Faction of Fools website in January.

Did you know that Commedia dell' Arte is not recognized
as a "World Cultural Heritage"?

The United Nations' cultural wing (UNESCO) has officially recognized indigenous theatre traditions such as Japan's Noh and Kabuki; however, the famous "stock characters" of Commedia dell'Arte--Arlecchino (Harlequin), Pulcinella, Dottore (the Doctor), Pantalone (the Pantaloon), Scapin (Scapin), and Scaramuccia (Scarmouche)--have yet to be acknowledged.

The Italian cultural association SAT is petitioning the nation of Italy and the United Nations (UNESCO) for official recognition of this famous and monumental theatre form, and Faction of Fools is proud to support this appeal.

To organize a “Commedia dell'Arte Day” event in a theatre or classroom near you or for more information about SAT's petition for recognition of Commedia dell'Arte as "World Cultural Heritage," email Faction of Fools Artistic Director Matthew R. Wilson.

Commedia dell'Arte Day is promoted by SAT and is organized by Faction of Fools and the SAT project incommedia.it.

Clown Car Commercial for KCI

2010-02-18T09:10:00.000-05:00

This commercial has a lot of great elements in it, and to my mind, uses the clowns in just the right way.
(Thanks to Toto Johnson for pointing this out, and being in the commercial to boot!)

Rhett and Link's T-Shirt War

2010-02-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

Not saying these guys are actually clowns, but there are a lot of great clown ideas here, and really well executed use of stop motion. The gag of pulling real stuff out of the shirt or vice versa is really well used. Almost an object lesson in one-upsmanship and clowning, but in a film form that would be a little harder to pull off on stage. And their marketing of the shirts afterward is great too.

A couple of these effects have me thinking...

You can find out more about these guys at their website: http://rhettandlink.com/

I'm definitely planning on taking a look at the rest of their pieces, based on this one.

Flying Karamazov Brothers in NY through March 7

2010-02-14T06:00:00.009-05:00

World renowned juggling group who don't fly, aren't brothers, and aren't Russian, the Flying Karamazov Brothers are performing their show 4Play at the Minetta Lane Theater until March 7th. If you don't know them, you should. They are fantastic! Actually, an earlier iteration of their show that they performed one summer at Trinity Rep got me interested in vaudeville. I must have seen that cabaret 10 or 12 times as an usher! (Yes, FKB, it's ALL your fault!)

If you go to the box office at the theater, you can avoid the $7 "service" charge from Ticketmaster.

If you're on the fence, just watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALkHQnPPn0

Click Here

Call 212-307-4100

Minetta Lane Theatre
18 Minetta Lane
New York, New York

1pm- showtime

Don't miss THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS in 4PLAY!

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
February 8 thru March 7 ONLY!

The Flying Karamazov Brothers are preparing for lift-off from the Minetta Lane Theatre from February 8 through March 7th for a run of their non-stop hit show "4PLAY". An innovative blend of comedy, theatre, juggling and music, this exuberant and hilarious theatrical event is recommended for ages 5 through 95. For tickets as low as $10 you get to ride a rocket to Planet K. The Karamazovs, master practitioners of cheap theatrics, juggle 'til they drop. The audience is invited to bring objects to the theater for Karamazov's Champ to juggle, making each show unique."4PLAY" shows NY's favorite multi-faceted, new-vaudevillians at the apex of their ambidextrous ability. Come watch the Flying Ks as they prove with each performance that chaos and unexpected events in our lives are the best part of being human. Four Weeks, Four Brothers, For Everyone, 4PLAY.

"Book passage now! An evening of airborne hilarity! These four unrelated American lunatics know exactly where they are going — to the moon and beyond!"
- The New York Times

"Drop everything and go see them!"
-The Today Show

"So much fun that anyone you take to see it will want to go to bed with you!"
-Chicago Reader

INSANELY CHEAP!! TICKETS STARTING AT $10!

WEEK 1 February 8 - 14
$10 - $50

WEEK 2 February 15 - 21
$20 - $55

WEEK 3 February 22 - 28
$25 - $60

WEEK 4 February 28 - March 7
$30 - $65

Performance schedule:
Tuesday - Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday at 2pm & 5pm

Special performance: Monday, February 8 at 8pm

February 8th - March 7th

www.fkb.com

Silent Clowns Film Series Winter/Spring 2010 (NY)

2010-02-13T06:42:00.001-05:00

The Silent Clowns Film Series under the direction/curation of Bruce Lawton and Ben Model has created another stellar lineup of classics and gems for cineastes and physical comedy aficionado's to drool over. This time it's films that are held in private collections, so these are RARELY seen. If you fall into either of those categories (film lover or physical comedy lover) you owe it to yourself to take a Sunday and spend it in the dark with Ben and Bruce. It will be well worth it.

All programs will be held at the Arclight Theatre, located at 152 W 71st Street, between Broadway and Columbus.

Tickets are $10 for all adults, and $5 for seniors, kids and members.

Live piano accompaniment by Ben Model at all shows.

Visit http://www.silentclowns.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

I've also put the program descriptions below.

Sunday, February 21 at 2pm Films from the Jack Roth Collection If Mack Sennett was "The King of Comedy" then Hal Roach was its "Crown Prince." After starting as an extra in 1914, Roach was instrumental in making Harold Lloyd a comedy star, and along the way developed a school of comedy that consisted of recognizable everyday people trapped in outlandish and embarrassing situations. Today’s selection of 1927 releases includes the Stan Laurel vehicles DUCK SOUP, EVE'S LOVE LETTERS and WHY GIRLS LOVE SAILORS, plus Max Davidson in JEWISH PRUDENCE and Charley Chase in THE STING OF STINGS.
Sunday, March 14 at 2pm Films from the Streamline Films Collection: Johnny Hines was a very popular clown who made many Harold Lloyd-type of comedy features in the 1920s, but is unjustly overlooked today. CONDUCTOR 1492 (’24) gives a good look at Hines’ ability with sight-gags, not to mention his engaging smile, and breezy personality. Opening for the feature is Glenn Tryon, another neglected clown, in the Hal Roach short WHOSE BABY ARE YOU? (’25).
Sunday, March 21 at 2pm More films from the Streamline Films Collection When the cinema began every film was a short subject, but as the industry grew so did the length of its films and shorts became a pre-feature special attraction. Comedy shorts were a standard part of the typical theatre bill, and this program provides a wide sampling of the art form. Our line-up is Ben Turpin in LOVE’S OUTCAST ('21), UP ON THE FARM ('25) with Lee Moran, Lupino Lane in MOVIELAND ('26), WHAT! NO SPINACH? ('26) with Harry Sweet, and Snub Pollard as THE OLD SEA DOG (’22).
Sunday, April 11 at 2pm Films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Throughout the silent era there were numerous "fun factories" that specialized in producing and distributing silent comedy one and two-reelers. From giants like Sennett and Christie to micro units like Tenneck – they all worked overtime to supply a steady stream of movie laughter. Our cross-section of producers include Harry Cohn (Sid Smith in A DOG-GONE MIX-UP, ’21,), Larry Darmour (Mickey McGuire in MICKEY’S CIRCUS, '27), William Fox (Arthur Housman in JUST A HUSBAND, '27), Louis, Adolph, & Max Weiss (Ben Turpin in THE EYES HAVE IT, '28), and Hal Roach (Snub Pollard in STRICTLY MODERN, '22, and Stan Laurel in COLLARS AND CUFFS, '23).
Sunday, April 25 at 2pm More films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Known as “The King of Comedy,” Mack Sennett was actually the Henry Ford of slapstick, as he was the first person to create a film studio devoted to turning out comedies on an assembly-line schedule. The main targets for the rough and rowdy Sennett crew were order, pomposity, and social standing. Having discovered most of the big names in the genre, today’s sampling highlights the year 1926 and stars such as Billy Bevan, Ralph Graves and Ben Turpin in the shorts WHISPERING WHISKERS, HUBBY’S QUIET LITTLE GAME, YANKEE DOODLE DUKE, WHEN A MAN’S A PRINCE, and ICE COLD COCOS.

NY Clown Theater Festival Sept 3-26, 2010: CALL FOR ARTISTS

2010-02-12T11:16:00.001-05:00

Just received this from the NY Clown Theatre Festival-- they are on again! This is year #5.

NY Clown Theatre Festival 2010

September 3-26th, 2010

New York Clown Theatre Festival is an annual celebration of the art of clown. Every fall the Brick Theatre presents the very best of clown performance from around the globe as well as hosting classes and workshops by world-renowned teachers. We host a bevy of outrageous events, including a massive pie fight, clown parade, and a clown funeral. The festival enters its 5th year this fall. We look for full shows, cabaret pieces and shorter (20minute) pieces. We do a mix of new and established work and focus on presenting a wide range of clown theatre and building our international community.

Last year we scaled the festival back to "Amuse Bouche" a small number of invited shows and will stick with this format every other year. We are gearing up for the full scale festival September 3-26th, 2010. Let the application process begin! You can find information on the space, details about requirements and the online-application here:  http://www.bricktheater.com/applications  .

Deadline for applications: May 15, 2010. Please email completed application, all supporting materials, and questions to: clown@bricktheater.com.

Also join us on our new facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=293300703234

Pochinko workshop in Brooklyn 3/21-4/22/10

2010-02-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

WORKSHOP
Character Mask to Clown With Deborah Kaufmann
Inspired by the teachings of Richard Pochinko, Canadian clown master teacher

"If we face the six directions of self, we can't help but laugh at the beauty and ridiculousness of all that we are." -- Richard Pochinko

This investigation is an inspiring way for the artist to make direct connection to aspects of his/her true self. In the spirit of physical discovery and playfulness we will visit our childhood room, experience a bittersweet goodbye, and find the personal meaning in the colors of the rainbow.

Then we will each make six masks: North, West, South, East, Above and Below. We will connect to and physicalize each direction and then create a clay mask. The masks are explored and a character is developed for each one. All six characters are combined to create a persona that is unique, with a deeply personal mythology and imagined environment that can be used for exploration and the development of new material.

For artists in all disciplines and the seriously curious.
March 21 through April 22, 2010 (First Day of Spring to Earth Day).
Sundays and Thursdays; 5 weeks
March 21 3-8 pm, Then Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Sundays, 4-7 pm
$500.00, Scholarship available
Maximum 12 Students
Brooklyn Studio

Deborah Kaufmann has performed and taught Clown and Hospital Clowning in the US, and around the world. She has been the National Creative and Educational Coordinator of Big Apple Circus Clown Care since 1994. In that capacity she trains, coaches and directs, as she oversees the artistic quality and growth of more than 80 unique “clown doctors.” Of her 2006 performance at the New York Clown Theatre Festival, nytheatre.com said, “this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief and solid will operating unfettered at maximum strength.”     http://www.tooshorttofallover.com

“It's a dream to find a teacher who combines a sharp directorial eye, intuition as a clown, and a deep knowledge of techniques and material.
                  --Tanya Solomon, clown and burlesque performer

The supportive way in which Deborah taught really resonated for me.”
               --- an Australian Student

CONTACT: debdib@verizon.net
            www.tooshorttofallover.com

Coppelia Project: A Clown Ballet in 3 Acts

2010-01-22T13:43:00.000-05:00

Heidi Stubblefield, actor/creator, is the creator and director of The Coppelia Project: a clown ballet in three acts, which was a commission by Accessible Arts. It was produced at the Kansas City Fringe Festival and had extended runs at the Off Center Theatre and Lawrence Arts Center.

She is a Kansas City, Kansas native. She received undergraduate training in Theatre at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS and went on to further study Physical Theatre and Ensemble Theatre at the Dell' Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. Heidi has performed with many theatre companies in the KC area, including the Kansas City Rep, Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, and Actor's Theatre of Kansas City. She has toured nationally with the Lawrence-based company Seem-to-Be Players. As a creator of original work she has created works for Princess Squid Productions, Byrd Productions, and the Coterie Theatre.

Heidi has also featured as an Emerging Artist by the Kansas City Star for her work with Arts in Prison, Inc., where she works with adult and juvenile inmates to write and perform original shows.

Heidi doesn't seem to have a website, but if you know of one for her, please post it here!

Finding Your Funny Bone! by Nancy Gold

2010-01-21T22:28:00.001-05:00

In 1991, I traveled to Philadelphia to the International Clown Congress. There I met a number of other clowns, many of whom I continue to be friendly with to this day (I also met a guy who was from Rhode Island, and we had a number of friends in common, but strangely had never met-- and we've worked on a number of projects together, including 3 original circuses and a large-scale festival. But that's a different story!)

While I was there, I took workshops with Bolek Polivka and Fred Curchack. I also met Ctibor Turba, who intrigued me enough that in 1992, I went to Czechoslovakia to study with him.

One of the people I met there was Nancy Gold, a clown teacher and performer from San Francisco. She was taking Turba's week long workshop, (which was opposite my Polivka/Curchak classes) and I asked for (and received) her meticulous notes about the class. I think I gave her my much less meticulous notes about Polivka and Curchak back too. I got a much better bargain out of the deal.

Lo and behold, she's got a recent book out, Finding Your Funny Bone!, about learning physical comedy for actors. Nancy has been teaching at A.C.T. and Berkeley Rep for a number of years, and has compacted all of her teaching into this book. I haven't delved into the book yet, (she's promised me a review copy though, and when I get it, I will review it right here.)

The little that I've seen of the book from her website, it looks like it's going to be very good. Nancy writes and teaches with a lot of enthusiasm, and the excerpts from the book show it clearly.

If you've read the book, feel free to write a comment and tell us what you think about it.

WEBSITE: http://www.findingyourfunnybone.com
BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON.COM: Finding Your Funny Bone!

ICHOF Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

2010-01-18T07:19:00.000-05:00

Couldn't happen to a nicer (or more deserving) guy. Greg was one of my instructors at Clown College, and I've seen him a few times, including the couple of days that I was researching in Baraboo. He's a very funny clown, and a historian and collector-- with one of the largest collections of clown video in the world (perhaps with a close second with Pat Cashin) Anyway this is a great development, and will hopefully continue to advance the field of clowning.

---

INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME AND RESEARCH CENTER SENDS IN THE CLOWNS–AND BRINGS MUCH MORE – TO BARABOO

World’s Foremost Organization Dedicated To The Preservation Of The Art, Craft And History Of Clowning Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

Baraboo, WI (January 18, 2010) – A bright addition to Baraboo’s unique circus heritage was revealed today as The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center announced the opening of its new headquarters in America’s Circus City.

Internationally renowned for its research and involvement in the art, craft and history of clowning, the ICHOF boasts the world’s most wide-ranging collection of clown artifacts and memorabilia, including wardrobe and props from many of the most famous names in clowning history.

“We are delighted to send in the clowns – and send them to Baraboo, back home where they belong,” said Greg DeSanto, recently named the ICHOF’s Executive Director. Himself a celebrated clown and circus historian, DeSanto, a Baraboo resident, performed at the Circus World Museum for over seven years. He’s also been featured in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the Big Apple Circus and other major shows around the world.

As we expand our presence in Baraboo, we hope that scholars and historians and the public at large will experience our fascinating exhibits and extensive archives,” DeSanto says.

Founded in Delevan, WI in 1986, the ICHOF was created as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, honoring and supporting the international art of clowning. The first and only group of its kind, it provides both rich research opportunities and educational outreach, along with the world’s largest collection of artifacts and collections concerning the art of clowning.

In 1988, the ICHOF began enshrining international artists who have enhanced and advanced the art of the clown. Since then, sixty-one performers have been inducted into the Hall, including Red Skelton, Lou Jacobs, Emmett Kelly, Otto Griebling, Felix Adler, Barry Lubin, Bobby Kaye, Jimmy Williams, Frosty Little, Steve Smith, Grock, Charlie Chaplin and Bill Irwin. The prestigious Lifetime of Laughter achievement award is also presented annually.

Fulfilling its commitment to community outreach, the Hall’s Caring Clown program provides therapeutic humor for children and their families at the Milwaukee’s Children’s Hospital. With Long Term Laughter Care, the ICHOF brings fun and comfort to residents at skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers.

“We are honored to join the Circus World Museum and the Al Ringling Theater as key spokes in Barboo’s celebrated wheel of circus history,” adds DeSanto. “We welcome residents and visitors alike to join us in our ongoing efforts to promote and preserve the grand and glorious history of hilarity.”

Flaming Idiots at New Victory now through January 3- Discounts!

2009-12-20T17:19:00.001-05:00

I saw this show today, in the midst of my wacky craziness.

(One of my very good friends is their stage manager.)

The show is delightful- funny, quickwitted, and well-done. The Idiots are legendary on the RenFaire circuit, and this show shows them off quite well. Still going after 20 years-- their show is even more finely honed.

Some jugglers are about juggling, but these jugglers are about comedy. In fact, if you are a juggling aficianado, you might be disappointed. Not that there isn't some great juggling in the show, because there is. But the juggling is stuff you've seen before (admittedly, very well done)

It's the comedy that makes this show great (and at $12, a steal)

This is the first time I've seen pedological leger-de-main, and it's simply beautifully done and handled. And hilarious. (You want mayonaise with that?)

And they get a nine year old girl to kick the droppers of a complicated passing routine in the shins. Very funny.

Go see it, you won't be sorry.

To get your discount:

For a limited time only, Playbill® Members can save 20% with code PBIdiots1700.

THREE EASY WAYS TO SAVE

1) Click here to visit NewVictory.org

2) Call 646-223-3010 and mention code PBIdiots1700.

3) Show this offer to the New Victory box office.
209 W 42nd Street, just west of Broadway
Box office hours: Sun & Mon: 11am - 5pm | Tue - Sat: 12pm - 7pm

Troy Wunderle directing Ringling clowns.

2009-12-18T05:59:00.000-05:00

'Incredibly serious work'

Local man trains Ringling Brothers clowns

By HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN

CircusSmirkus artistic director Troy Wunderle of Cambridgeport gets a kissfrom his daughter Ariana Wunderle during the Circus Smirkus performancein Brattleboro. (Reformer file photo)

CAMBRIDGEPORT - There is a lot of pressure in being one of the most important clowns in the country. For the past month, Rockingham resident and Circus Smirkus artistic director Troy Wunderle has been in Tampa, Fla., training two groups of clowns for the upcoming season of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Wunderle, 36, was invited to go to Florida and even though he was already busy with Circus Smirkus, as well as with his own company, Wunderle's Big Top Adventures, he could not pass up the opportunity to work with Ringling Brothers.
"Clowning is incredibly serious work," Wunderle said while taking a break from his 12-hour work days. "Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey have been producing the best American clowns for generations and this was a golden opportunity. There are very high expectations. There is a lot of weight on my shoulders."
Wunderle graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1995 and has been working with Circus Smirkus for 13 years.
Although at this point he is a seasoned performer, and professional clown, Wunderle admits that the time he has spent over the last three weeks has been very intense.
Along with working with the young clowns, Wunderle has also been responsible for developing all of the routines. He is in constant communication with costume designers, makeup artists and prop specialists, along with pyrotechnic experts, sound engineers and circus producers.
He went to Florida with the intention of developing the main show that Ringling Brothers will take across the country next year, and last week he accepted the offer to also develop the clowns for a secondary show that is performed in smaller venues around the country.
To further challenge his sense of humor, and every clown needs a sense of humor, Wunderle is working with aspiring clowns who speak six different languages, and his crew in the smaller circus is from Italy and does not speak a word of English.
And though he is being pushed and challenged, Wunderle said he would most likely return if he is invited.
"As far as clowning is concerned, this is the pinnacle," he said. "One person gets to be the director of clowning for Ringling Brothers. This is what I love."
The call from Ringling Brothers came out of the blue, Wunderle said.
After graduating from the Clown College, he kept in contact with circus producers and invited them to Vermont to see Circus Smirkus.
He did not apply for the position, and was not even sure he would be able to fit it into his schedule. When the offer came, he could not turn it down.
"The ideal candidate for this job is not just someone who is funny," said David Kiser, director of talent for Ringling. "We look for someone with excellent communication skills, someone who can communicate not just with performers but with the entire creative team. We found that in Troy."
Once the circus starts touring, Wunderle's work will be mostly over.
All of his work is compacted into about a month and he expect to be home just in time to direct Circus Smirkus performers at First Night in Burlington on Dec. 31.
He will hand over the day-to-day responsibilities at Ringling Brothers to the boss clown, and will also be around to answer questions.
If there is a major problem while on tour, Wunderle might be asked to fly to wherever the circus is set up.
Along with the creative satisfaction of designing a full show, Wunderle said it has been special for him to work with young entertainers who are just entering the world of clowning.
Wunderle graduated from the Maryland Institute of Art, and got into clowning after enrolling in the Ringling Brothers Clown College.
His decision to pursue a life of clowning has taken him across the country, and world, and now he is helping other clowns as they begin their careers.
"In my opinion, clowning is one of the hardest disciplines in the circus and now I am working with the best of the best," he said before finishing his interview and getting back to work. "This is the ring where I started my career and it's great to come back and be able to give back to the next generation of clowns."

Very funny Bud LIght Clown Commercial

2009-12-16T10:51:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Johnny Xod and Django Edwards for bringing this to my attention.

Physical Limits in Technical 3 and 4 ball juggling

2009-11-20T14:27:00.000-05:00

I'm not generally a big fan of technical juggling, but this video is pretty astounding.

Suzanne Santos Clown Character Workshop Dec. 5/6 (SF)

2009-11-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

Character Clowning and Clowning in Ensemble Workshop
with Suzanne Santos
At the Flying Actor Studio

December 5th and 6th, Saturday and Sunday
10 am – 5 pm both days, with a 30 minute lunch break

$125

This 2 day intensive clown workshop is for anyone who wants to furtherdevelop a clown character that has already been in performance, or for birthing a new clown persona. We will work solo, as well as in duos and trios, using exercises emphasizing appetites, hierarchy, presence and play.
Most importantly, we will work on how you are funny by incorporating mask technique, improvisation, physical expression, and commedia dell arte.

Please come prepared with at least one costume, a red nose, a lunch and a notebook.

The Flying Actor Studio is located at 40 First Street, 3rd Floor in San Francisco. Walking distance from Montgomery and Embarcadero stations.

For questions or to register for the class please email or call:
suzsantos@gmail.com or 818-414-1967

Suzanne Santos is in her second year performing with San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus School Tour in over 40 Alameda County Schools. She has also been seen with her original clown piece "The Damsel's Demise" at the New York Clown
Festival (Brick) and FOOLSFury Festival (Traveling Jewish Theatre).

Suzanne is also a company member of 108 Productions, with whom she performed and toured Terrence McNally's "Corpus Christi" internationally (Zephyr Theatre, LA; Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh; Voice Factory, SF; Smock Alley, Dublin) and off-Broadway (Rattlestick Theatre) for the last 3 years.

Suzanne is the resident circus teaching artist of San Francisco Arts
Education Project, where she teaches at ARTSummer and San Francisco public schools. Suzanne is the lead Clown Therapist at Edgewood Center for Children and Families. She also has taught the Circus Apprentice Program at the Circus Center. She has worked with Dell'Arte International since 2005 as a Stage Manager ("Flock", "Circo Stupendo") and Assistant Director for Dell'Arte Youth Academy (2006, 2008). Summer of 2009, she was Director of the Youth Academy. As a teaching artist and clown therapist, she gets to inspire a diverse population of students while forwarding the social circus movement for positive community change.

Suzanne holds a BA in Theatre from George Fox University, an MA in Theatrical Clowning from New College of California's Experimental Performance Institute, and is a graduate of Clown Conservatory (2007) and Dell'Arte International (2005).

For more information about Suzanne's work, visit her website listed below:

http://www.suzsantos.com

If the Nose Fits...

2009-11-10T14:36:00.000-05:00

Great article about Stanley Allen Sherman and his clown nose making career.

READ THE ARTICLE

Find out more about Stanley Allen Sherman at his website listed below:

http://www.maskarts.com/

There's also a YouTube video:

Inside Out (Cirkus Cirkör at BAM- NY) Nov 12-15

2009-11-07T06:03:00.000-05:00

Part of the 2009 Next Wave Festival
Cirkus Cirkör
Live music by Irya's Playground
Directed By Tilde Björfors

"...A magical breathtaking performance...a powerful inter-disciplinary work of art..." —Skånska Dagbladet (Sweden)

The human body unfolds as a surreal rock and roll fantasy in Inside Out, Swedish troupe Cirkus Cirkör's phantasmagoric journey into the outer reaches of inner life. Accompanied onstage by dub-punk-new wave-electro-inspired band Irya's Playground and featuring a mix of highly skilled acrobatics, musical theater, and spectacle, Inside Out boggles the mind by way of the body. Actors and acrobats course through veins, explode through space like uncoiled strands of DNA, and lunge across synapses to become the body electric. Don't miss this if you have the chance to see it.

Nov 12 & 13 at 7:30pm
Nov 14 at 2 & 7:30pm
Nov 15 at 3pm
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
110min with intermission
Tickets: $25, 45, 60
In English
Appropriate for ages 5 & up

Splinterhead Clown Noses in Union Square November 7 (NY)

2009-11-06T06:09:00.000-05:00

Splinterheads Takes Union Square

Saturday Nov 7, 2009

at Union Square Park:

In support of the upcoming independent film, Splinterheads, Come get down with the clowns in Union Square Park on Saturday 11/7/2009!

They are handing out over 3000 RED NOSES to create one of the most unique iconic New York photograph that Union Square has ever seen.

Where: Union Square Park South, facing the DSW store sign
When: 4:30 PM (and not a minute later!)
What: don your nose, raise you hands and look into the sky for the coolest aerial photo Union Square has ever seen!

There are a couple of ways to get your nose.

1pm-5pm "Joey The Clown", the rudest dunking clown in the business, will be set up on 13th street between 4th and Broadway accompanied by a carnival atmosphere with fans, cast and filmmakers, and carnival attractions. Come and show off your Yankees pitching skills and try and drown the clown. Free noses will be handed out from 1pm-4pm.

Splinterheads will be playing at the Regal Union Square Theater
Noses will also be handed out at the 11:50am and 2:20pm showings.

*2:20pm - Chris McDonald and Lea Thompson will give a Q and A

See the trailer at: http://www.splinterheads.com and buy tickets at http://www.Fandango.com

Call for Female Clown Shows- 2010 Festival (Austria)

2009-11-02T10:36:00.000-05:00

Clownin, the biennial Austrian women’s clown festival ( I really like it in German- Clownfrauen Festival) will hold its third festival at the Kosmos Theater in Vienna, Austria from November 26-December 4, 2010.

It is one of two other international women's clown festivals (in Andorra and Rio)

Following the big success of their 2006 & 2008 festivals , they wish to continue to promote international exchange between artists, and display the full diversity of women clowns. They also expect to host workshops, panels, and promote theory, pedagogy, and a healthy dose of networking as well.

They are looking for shows played mainly or only by women clowns for an adult audience- shows for children or only acrobatic presentations wil not be accepted.

They'll choose about 12 evening shows and several short numbers (for the Opening and Cabaret-Program).

Applications are due March 31st, 2010

The curators for this festival are Pamela Schartner, Gaby Pfluegl and Kosmos Theater artistic director Barbara Klein.

For more information or an application
Contact: info@clownin.at

Website:http://www.www.clownin.at/

SPOOKAPALOOZA (Chicago)

2009-10-30T07:02:00.000-04:00

Speaking of the Midnight Circus, I nearly forgot that they are doing their annual set of Halloween Free shows in Daley Plaza again this year. This year the show is called SpookaPalooza!

They've been doing it all week, so you've missed a lot of shows, but there's 7 shows you can still see. The cast features a rotating round of Chicago variety performers, clowns, and eccentrics doing really fun stuff in Daley Plaza. The show is completely free. I caught it a couple of years ago and had a great time.

FRIDAY OCT 30: 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 5:30pm

SATURDAY, OCT 31: 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm

More about the Midnight Circus

Chicagoist is featuring interviews with clowns

2009-10-29T18:51:00.001-04:00

The Chicagoist, an online news blog, is featuring interviews with clowns all this week, in honor of Halloween.

The series, called FACE YOUR FEARS, is intended to get to know people behind the greasepaint.

It's pretty good, as far as it goes, but nearly all of the clowns interviewed are Primarily Birthday Party clowns and not circus clowns. Who knows, maybe Jeff Jenkins of the Midnight Circus is the last person interviewed (their Friday interview has not yet come out). That might give this a little balance.

UPDATE: They balanced it in a different way-- the fifth interview was with LezBobo the Clown, who does more alternative clowning. I've updated this post to reflect that.

Here's links to the interviews:

LezBobo The Clown

READ THE INTERVIEW

Website for more information.

Kooky Da Klown

READ THE INTERVIEW

Websites: Clowns For Hire and Kooky's Myspace.

Patricia "Dimples The Clown" Koopmann

READ THE INTERVIEW

Website for More Info

Don "Tricky the Clown" Bothwell

READ THE INTERVIEW

Website for more info

Mirelle "Twinkles the Classy Clown" Gross

READ THE INTERVIEW

Website for more info

Jango Edwards 3 day intensive workshop Nov 9-11 (NY)

2009-10-27T12:33:00.001-04:00

Jango Edwards Clown Workshop Nov 9–11

Jef Johnson's Clown Lab and Nouveau Clown Institute present:
Clown: Formulas and Theory
With Jango Edwards

Jango Edwards is one of the founding fathers of the Nouveau Clown Movement. This is a rare opportunity to study with one of the world's great teachers. Jango was last here in 1982. The work he has done in Europe is the basis for much of the world scene these days.

About the Instructor:
Jango Edwards has dedicated his life to the study of comedy and the art of clown; not a job but a life style.

His first company, The Friends Roadshow, formed in London with Nola Rae, exploded into a theatrical community with bases in London, Amsterdam, and Detroit. Over 400 members from around the world have actively participated.

In 1975, after moving to Amsterdam, he gave birth to the internationally renowned Festival of Fools, which continued annually until 1984 and became the world's first comedy convention of the Nouveau Clowns. It set the foundation and form for a new trend in comic festivals, an annual gathering of a clown tribe, where all performed, taught, and exchanged the secrets to a new direction and the rebirth of an all but lost tradition.

During the 1980s and '90s he had a performing tour schedule of more than 200 performances per year. In theaters, concert halls, stadiums, music clubs, open-air festivals, and venues as diverse as an amphitheater in the Sahara desert, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Ronald McDonald Comedy Awards, the International Banking Conference of Switzerland, a nudist beach, half-time at a football match, the Olympic Village in Barcelona, and a bathroom at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes. His devout fans include Salvador Dali, The Queen of Holland, the Chancellor of Germany, Catherine Denueve, Fedrico Fellini, Francis Ford Copola, Xaviera Hollander, and the Rolling Stones, to name but a few.

In 2004 he moved to Barcelona and at the International Forum Festival he created The Fools Militia, a team of clown actors to create large scale clown performances and animations.

From this he developed a special World Clown Theater Series at the Almazen Theater where each week international clown artists present their productions and where every Saturday night he writes, directs, and performs with selected guest artists at the Cabaret Cabron. During the first two years of Cabaret Cabron and with the cooperation of over 100 clown artists he wrote, directed, and performed ove 100 different productions.

He is artistic director of Monsters of Comedy Festival in Rome and runs training programs for Clinic Clowns, Clown Doctors, and Doctors with Red Noses.

In October of 2009, he launched the Nouveau Clown Institute.

When:
November 9, 10, 11
12–6pm each day

Where:
The Brick Theater
575 Metropolitan Ave.
(between Union Ave. and Lorimer St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
bricktheater.com

Cost:
$200; Space is limited. Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit of $100
(PayPal accepted)

Contact/Enrollment:
Jef Johnson
jefjohnson@nyclown.com

Dick Van Dyke on Slapstick

2009-10-26T15:40:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Drew Richardson, Dramatic Fool for pointing this out -- a hilarious mini-lecture about how slapstick is no longer funny, and then Mr. D.V.D. proceeds to schlap the shtick all over it.

This is an object lesson in how to build a physical routine where the audience know what's coming, but they can't help themselves from laughing anyway.