Coppelia Project: A Clown Ballet in 3 Acts

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!

ICHOF Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

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.”

Think Foolishly: Tips From a Pro

Drew Richardson, the Dramatic Fool, is hard at work again. His blog, Think Foolishly, is currently featuring his takes on how to Think Foolishly. He's got 60 great tips across five categories on how to create a clown logic for your work, how to enhance, create, or otherwise extend a clown routine in a logical and foolish way. He's currently on #18, so you've still got plenty of time to read all of the tips before they overwhelm you. With tips like # 13: Give Up and #12 Never Give Up, you can see that you are in for a little bit of a blender ride. Although he doesn't specifically say so, I think it's safe to assume that you probably shouldn't do ALL OF THESE AT ONCE. (although that might be very funny) But as one of my teachers Daniel Stein would say, "If you follow all of the rules of great theatre, you are guaranteed to make mediocre theatre." If you are looking to transform one of your clown ideas, try approaching the problem from one of these 60 ways, and see if that changes how you are feeling about your potential clown idea. If that approach isn't working for you, try another. Maybe even try two at once. After all, you've got 60 potential keys to unlock the secret to your new routine, and one or more of them might solve the problem. Well, right now there are only 18 ways, so maybe you should just wait 40 days before doing anything else... then come back to your creative difficulties (if you can remember them) Read his blog here: http://www.thinkfoolishly.com Find out more about Drew's work: http://www.dramaticfool.com

Interview with Dominique Serrand

A video interview with Dominique Serrand, one of the principals of Theater de la Jeune Leune, a Minneapolis theatre which recently closed. Jeune Leune was known for their physical theatre-- I believe that Serrand or one of his partners studied with Lecoq, and others in the company studied with Carlo Mazzone-Clemente of Dell'arte. Also, Chris Bayes either taught or performed there (or maybe both) The 34 minute interview is quite interesting, and well worth viewing. (Thanks to Mike Daisey for the heads up.) http://www.vimeo.com/2880009

Doing the math of being a clown.

a Princeton University math major who has also been studying clowning. Here's a story from Princeton about a double major in math and theatre that is creating a one-man clown show. Or as he prefers to say a one-man show about a clown that is not a clown show . (Thanks to Robin Izzo Scott, high school classmate, Facebook friend, and Princeton faculty/staff member for the heads up) The student studied with Pig Iron Theatre Company of Philadelphia last year, and is creating a theatrical clown show as his senior thesis. (His math thesis involves creating a new version of set theory) After graduation, he goes back to work for Pig Iron. I've known a number of math/science/geek guys that have ended up as clowns. (I guess I'm kind of one of them-- I was captain of the math team in high school, and our team won the state championships all three years I was involved!) And one of the circuses that I was intimately involved with was produced by a guy from Swarthmore, and featured a cast that was mostly Ivy League grads, including Penn, Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, and some other places like MIT, RISD, and Stanford. Most of the math guys who are clowns I know enter through the juggling or magic world. Anyway, here's the article in full (in case Princeton pulls the plug on it) If you are a math/science/nerd clown guy, tell us about it in the comments! Following his muse to create an unconventional clown Posted April 22, 2009; 06:23 p.m. by Jennifer Greenstein Altmann From the April 20, 2009, Princeton Weekly Bulletin Senior Sam Zetumer likes to work in opposing realms. He is a math major who is earning a certificate in theater and dance. He scribbles math equations on the chalkboard while waiting for rehearsals to begin. He currently is completing two senior theses: one on set theory, and one on clowning. Zetumer enjoys immersing himself in two such different disciplines. Math requires him to "shut down external awareness," he said, while theater asks "that I exist in this communal space." Alternating from one to the other is "like going 60 and then going in reverse," he explained. Beginning Friday, April 24, Zetumer will perform his senior thesis production, titled "Good Winks Here," a one-man show about a clown that is not a clown show — no juggling and no gags. "It's about a weird human being who's struggling to find out how his world works and failing very badly at it," Zetumer said. "It's a style of clowning that's all about vulnerability." Zetumer with umbrella Zetumer said his show is "about a weird human being who's struggling to find out how his world works and failing very badly at it. It's a style of clowning that's all about vulnerability." "Sam's doing something very brave here — creating his own material and going out there, totally alone, to share his deep interest in clown work with an audience," said Tim Vasen, a lecturer in theater and dance and the Lewis Center for the Arts who is one of Zetumer's thesis advisers. "What he's doing is, first of all, funny, and also sometimes haunting, like the best clowns in the Bill Irwin/Charlie Chaplin/Buster Keaton tradition always are." Vasen sees a common thread in Zetumer's twin pursuits. "He's a systems nut — be it advanced math or physical technique," he said. "Clown work is also a system, and what Sam's doing in his rehearsals is playing with that system, testing it against the lights and chairs and umbrellas and floors and walls, almost like scientific research." Zetumer studied physical comedy last summer when he took courses on clowning technique offered by the Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia. The company describes itself as a dance-clown-theater ensemble that seeks to break the boundaries of dance, drama, clowning, puppetry, music and text. His summer with the troupe was supported by the Lewis Center's Alex Adam '07 Award, which Zetumer won last year. The award funds summer projects that lead to the creation of an original work of art. Zetumer first worked with members of Pig Iron during his freshman year, when they taught a physical theater class at Princeton that included clowning. After graduation Zetumer will move to Philadelphia to work for Pig Iron as an assistant stage manager. A native of San Diego, Zetumer was drawn to Princeton because of the University's strengths in math and theater. For his other thesis, Zetumer is constructing a new version of set theory, which is an important foundational system for mathematics. His adviser, Professor Edward Nelson, described Zetumer as "fiercely independent. He works hard on his own to resolve problems without asking for help." During his time at Princeton, Zetumer has appeared in several theatrical productions, portraying Prince Shuisky in Alexander Pushkin's play "Boris Godunov" and performing in "The Winter's Tale," "All My Sons" and "Romeo and Juliet." But for Zetumer, "Good Winks Here" promises to be his most memorable role. The piece "is serious work, but it's funny and touching," said Vasen, who described Zetumer as "extremely creative" and unconstrained. "Sam has always followed his own muse."

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching! USArtists International has recently expanded its aesthetic and geographic parameters and now includes support for American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo artists invited to perform at significant international festivals anywhere in the world outside the United States and its territories. The application deadline for the next grant round of the program will be on Monday, May 4, 2009 for projects taking place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. For a copy of program guidelines and application click here. Questions about USArtists International should be directed to Nicole Russ, at nicole@midatlanticarts.org or via telephone at 410.539.6656 x120. Contact Them email: karen@midatlanticarts.org web: http://www.midatlanticarts.org

NY Clown Festival Workshop with Bob Berky-- Special Discount!

Architectures of Physical Comedy With Bob Berkey Saturday September 6th, 10-3 Sunday September 7th, 10-3 $200 Special Discount $150 ($50 off) 15 Students Max Break for lunch at The Battle Ranch Annex 405 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11206 (2.5 blocks from Morgon stop off the L train) http://www.vampirecowboys.com/battleranch.htm This course will explore structural and rhythmic elements of physical comedy, and techniques for opening possibilities of exploration and writing in the world of the theatrical clown. Participants should come with at least a five minute piece to be "played" with. We will look at their current content and structure of the piece and search for ways of expanding the material in a way that supports and deepens the ideas that the artist intends. Who is the performer and what are they saying? Bob Berky has performed as a solo artist throughout the world. In New York, he has appeared at the Dance Theatre Workshop, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and as a featured artist at The Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival in "The Alchemedians" and "The Power Project". "The Alchemedians", with Mr. Berky and Michael Moschen, was produced off-Broadway and toured worldwide. He has also performed at the Kennedy Center and Arena Stage in Washington and the National Theatre in London, England. Bob Berky directed movement and clowning for producer Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival's production of "Twelfth Night" at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. He was movement choreographer for the Longw harf Theatre's production of "A Flea In Her Ear", directed by John Tillinger. He has also worked as movement coach for such performers as Donal Donaldson, Gregory Hines, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer. Mr. Berky has taught at many universities and theaters as a guest artist and Master Teacher including The Juilliard School, Brandeis University, University of Texas at Austin, the North Carolina School for the Arts, UCSB, Smith College and the Dell Arte School of California. He has worked extensively as a teaching and performing artist with the Lincoln Center Institute. Current projects include a two man version of Richard 3 with Eric Bass and directing "El Magnifico" currently playing in the NY Clown Theatre Festival.

Happy Birthday Clown Alley's Pat Cashin!

Pat Cashin is 29 (again) today. If you want, you can attend his birthday party drunk, have your makeup sloppily made-up, root through his garbage, smoke cigars throughout his house, curse a lot, and offer to date his wife. I think he'd like that. On the other hand, you could just go visit his website and wish him a happy birthday in the comments! http://www.clownalley.net

Olympic Comedy--Paul Hunt & his Comedy Gymnastics Routines

Just happened across some amazing gymnastic comedy by Paul Hunt. He was a coach and gymnast in the 1980's and does some amazing comedy gymnastic routines in drag. In a tutu, Paul manages to perfectly parody a number of female gymnastic stunts, while at the same time doing a lot of amazing gymnastics and acrobatics himself. I haven't been able to find out what happened to him (the videos are all from the 1980's) If somebody out there knows, please comment listed below. There is a Hunt's Gymnastics Academy in Utah, but the webpage is currently defunct. Enjoy these incredible videos (most of which seem to be shot at Gymnastic competitions, and at least a few of these are commented on by professional sports commentators.) It's very interesting to see the floor routine shot side by side, one in French, and one in English, and how the commentators comment on them. COMEDY FLOOR ROUTINE IN ENGLISH COMEDY FLOOR ROUTINE IN FRENCH COMEDY PARALLEL BAR ROUTINE COMEDY BALANCE BEAM ROUTINE

Kenny & Brenda Ahern

Kenny Ahern is a clown and performer based in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A graduate of Ringling Clown College, Kenny has also studied with Bill Irwin, Chris Bayes, and Pavel Groditsky of the Soviet School for Circus and Variety Arts. Kenny has been performing for nearly 25 years. He does a number of shows aimed at the corporate, educational, and family markets. He has two shows aimed at school age audiences "Through the Eyes of a Fool" and "School Matters." His theatre show "A Slippery Universe" is designed for proscenium stages. Kenny also has his own Variety stage that he brings to fairs and festivals. His corporate work features original shows created specifically for a company, as well as a show titled "A Day In The Life" which features parodies of the life of an office worker. Kenny has also taught clowning at a number of places, including schools, clown camps, and Ringling Clown College. Kenny's wife Brenda is also a graduate of Ringling Clown College. Currently an elementary school teacher, she also presents shows to libraries and schools throughout the Wisconsin area. To find out more about Kenny and Brenda's work, please visit his website listed below: http://kennyahern.com/ They were also featured in a recent article in the Watertown Daily Times. Read the article (Please note, this article may go away after a few days of this post.)

Otsie Kerplotsie

Otsie Kerplotsie is Brooklyn clown and NY Downtown Clown Impresario Christopher Luecke. Christopher was born in Milwaukee, WI. He is a graduate of The Dell’ Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, CA and has also earned a BFA in Acting from Brooklyn College (Cum Laude). Most recently he has studied clown with the New York GOOFS. Christopher is an actor and clown for stage and film. He has performed in many venues including the Brooklyn Public Library, dirty little theatres, and the Grand Ole Opry and has also appeared in many small films. When not performing Christopher teaches puppetry in the New York Public Schools with Puppetry in Practice. He is also a certified instructor of Japanese samurai sword fighting and enjoys beating people up in competitions. In his role as Otsie, Christopher performs at birthday parties, social gatherings, and many other events. In fact, he even offers a discount-- call him and mention WEB, and you'll get $25 off your show. To find out more about Otsie Kerplotsie, visit the website listed below, or just give him a call. http://www.otsieclown.com/ 347-585-9767

RIP, Mr. Snot

Joe Kudla, half of the team of Puke and Snot, passed away on Monday. He was 58 years old, and had been performing Ren Faire stages for over 30 years, including letting young upstarts Penn and Teller open for them. Read more below (obit from the Pioneer Press) or visit the Puke and Snot website, listed below for more details. At the website listed below, Joe's partner Mark Sieve shares stories and fan email about Joe. PUKE AND SNOT WEBSITE: http://www.magaga.com Actor Joe Kudla of 'Puke and Snot' team dies at 58 By Dominic P. Papatola dpapatola@pioneerpress.com Article Last Updated: 08/11/2008 06:30:56 PM CDT Minneapolis actor Joe Kudla - half of the "Puke and Snot" comedy team that entertained crowds at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for more than three decades - died Monday at the age of 58. Kudla died at his home in Northeast Minneapolis, according to his performing partner, Mark Sieve. A cause of death was not immediately available. "I'm wondering if Bud Abbott felt this way when Lou Costello died," said Mark Sieve, who played Puke in the popular comic duo that mixed swordplay and groaner jokes. Sieve said he and Kudla were supposed to go over some new material Monday, but that Kudla wasn't returning phone calls. "I was complaining to my wife about my irresponsible partner not answering his phone," Sieve said, honoring his late partner with a bit of gallows humor. "Turns out he had a good excuse." Kudla was already a fixture on the local performing scene when he and Sieve conjured the idea of a pair of medieval types who would crack wise and cross swords. The first iteration of the duo, dubbed Mouldy and Wart, premiered at the 1973 festival. Puke and Snot appeared the next year. At the height of their fame, the opening act for their routine was a young pair of comic-magicians named Penn and Teller. Kudla and Sieve trained others their shtick, and have been a fixture at Renaissance festivals across the country ever since. In 2007, Kudla took a break from playing Thomas Snot, earning rave reviews in the History Theatre production of "The Baron," a paean to old-school professional wrestling in which he played, among other famous grapplers, Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon. Sieve intends for the show to go on when the Minnesota Renaissance Festival opens later this month. "It would be a great tribute to Joe to keep it going," he said, "but I don't know. I might break down in the middle of the routine."

Deborah Kaufmann- Veni Vidi Vici (NY)

Deborah Kaufmann spent her childhood in dance and acting classes. She earned a degree in Visual Art from Bennington College. After brief careers as a production potter, a sign language interpreter, a props mistress, a typesetter and an aluminum can inspector, Deborah stumbled into her life as a clown. By seeking out master teachers such as Richard Pochinko, Tony Montanaro, Bob Berky, Avner Eisenberg and John Towsen, she has studied the art of clowning in its many facets. She was part of the production team of the First and Second NY Clown Theatre Festivals presented by If Every Fool, Inc. in 1982 and 1985. Since its inception in 1986, Deborah has performed with The Big Apple Circus Clown Care (sm). “Dr. Dibble” brings her own brand of buffoonery to hospitalized children and their caregivers. As the Creative and Educational Coordinator for Clown Care, she auditions and trains new performers, and oversees the ongoing artistic development of almost 100 unique “clown doctors.” She has taught hospital clowning in Brazil, France, The Netherlands, Finland and Australia. As the tuba player for The Baltic Street Blowhards, an eccentric band, she played NYC Parks, Symphony Space and Avery Fisher Hall. Deborah has performed her original works in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Brazil and Australia. Of her performance at the 2006 New Clown Theater Festival nytheatre.com said, “this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief and solid will operating unfettered at maximum strength.” Deborah will be performing that same work, entitled Veni Vidi Vici, for three nights only at the Access Theatre in Manhattan. Take equal parts of dance, theater, and circus clown, add Native American mask work, flavor with a pinch of bouffon, a touch of true mischief, and a nod to "Harold and the Purple Crayon, " and you get this delightful look at greed and acquisition. "An exploration of human instincts at so basic a level that thought can be put aside and impulse thoroughly enjoyed . . . this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief . . . unfettered at maximum strength." --nytheatre.com VENI VIDI VICI Written for adults, appropriate for children over 7 Dates: Sunday-Tuesday, August 17, 18, 19, 7:30pm Place: Access Theater - 380 Broadway, 4th floor, at White Street (two blocks below Canal) Subways: A, C, E, N, R, Q, W, 6, J, M, Z to Canal St; 1, 9 to Franklin Tickets: $10.00 theatermania.com, 212-352-3101, or 1-866-811-4111

Kathie Horejsi's Blog: Clown Mommy

I've featured Kathie previously on the blog here But that was before she had a blog! She's got a relatively new blog Clownmommy.com It's a personal account of her trying to do her work as a mom. So far I've read through most of it, and it definitely talks a lot about the struggles I have now (and I'm sure will have soon, as our baby is due to arrive in the next 4 weeks or so) I didn't know about her blog until my personal news alert for my unique last name let me know that somebody had posted it somewhere (Oh my God, The Clown Signal!) Kathie was talking about a conversation that we had about female clowning about 16 years ago. And sadly, her blog conks out in the middle of the story. I'd really like to find out what I said! And if you've got a clown blog out there where you are talking about your work as a clown, please let me know-- I don't promise to post it, but I'll give it a read at the very least!

Historic & Triumphant Return of the Flea Circus to Coney Island

A little bit of a shameless plug, but truthfully, I've done most of my best work by being shameless. It's when I get shameful that I have to worry! Anyway, it's probably the last flea circus gig before the baby is born (unless something happens in the next week!) so come check it out if you can! Click the image for a larger poster. The Flea Circus Returns To Coney Island! ============================== WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus at the Coney Island Museum WHERE: Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224-2816 WHEN: Sunday July 27, 2008 at 4pm. COST: $5 MORE INFO: http://www.coneyisland.com MORE INFO: http://www.trainedfleas.com/coneyisland.html CALL: 718 372 5159 ELECTRONIC PRESS RELEASE: Press Release PDF (707K: must have Adobe Reader) PUBLICITY PHOTOS: Press Images of the show ============================

Edith Tankus

Edith Tankus is an actor, theatre artist and clown living in Canada. An alumnus of L'Ecole Jacques Lecoq and L'Ecole Philippe Gaulier. She is an award-winning actress and clown who has toured North America garnering rave reviews with her one woman show "Not Yet, At All", a lyrical and humorous piece of storytelling and aerial work. Edith also has a solo clown show for young audiences, "Hurricane Gerty". She is currently touring across Canada playing in schools and Theatre Festivals and charming audiences with her superbly comic performances. A brilliant blend of physical comedy, clown and audience engagement "Hurricane Gerty" is achingly funny and filled with wit and soul. Edith has worked as Artist in Residence in theatres across Canada where she has performed and led workshops in clown and physical theatre. She is co-founder and co-artistic director of Magpye Theatre and, as part of the Artist in Education Program of the Ontario Arts Council, has taught in numerous elementary and high schools. She has collaborated with internationally acclaimed touring company Kneehigh Theatre of Cornwall, England and award–winning vaudevillian Tomas Kubinek . Their last collaboration resulted in the Gemini-nominated feature film "Tucked into Bedlam" based on his stage play "Bed", which premiered on CBC's Opening Night. Currently she is on board with an International Arts Organization, Circus Remedy, whose mandate is to bring acclaimed theatre and circus artists to perform their shows in hospitals and poverty stricken communities all over the world. She also tours with theatres, and has recently appeared in London with the KneeHigh Theatre's "Rapunzel" . To find out more about Edith's work, please visit her website listed below: www.edithtankus.com

Laura Herts

Laura Herts is a France based American performer, whose training began years ago at the The Baltimore School for the Arts where she studied Dance and Visual Arts. Upon graduating, she began a world tour, which has now been extended into a lifetime experience. Through her travels she rediscovered a childhood passion; mime. From that moment on, she performed wherever possible, beginning with street performing and teaching mime in Israel in 1985. As her passion for the art of mime, improvisation, and comedy performance grew, she decided to continue her quest for experience and knowledge by travelling to and throughout Europe; participating in Theatre festivals and attending workshops and Schools based on the Physical Theater. Laura, studied under Lassaad Saidi, Jacques Lecoq, Philippe Gaulier, Daniel Stein, Stanislav Borgeofski, and Zigmund Mollic, while continuing to earn a living performing. Slowly and surely, Laura developed her original style of theater creating a world of clown, comedy, and social satire. She has created a number of one woman shows, including "The Last Tangle In Paradise," "Electric Lazy Land," and "Won Woman Show," as well as various cabaret numbers. Performing interactively with her audiences, she has played in theatres, cabarets, circuses, and many festivals throughout Europe, Japan, Brazil, Russia, Israel, and Madagascar, as well as teaching workshops in mime and clowning. To find out more about Laura's work, please visit her website listed below: www.lauraherts.com

Kirk Marsh

Kirk Marsh is a clown and entertainer that has been described as an amalgamation of Charlie Chaplin, Jerry Lewis, and Dick Van Dyke rolled into one. His shows feature magic, juggling, eccentric dance,and oddball audience participation routines. His performances portray a man at odds with his life and his props. Kirk is a graduate of Ringling Brothers Clown College. Part klutz, part consummate entertainer, Kirk's shows and acts have delighted and amazed audiences around the world, from Las Vegas casinos to the world's largest cruise ships. Some of his employers have included Disney, Ringling, 3M, IBM, The RIO casino in Las Vegas, and Caribbean Cruise lines. He recently had a very successful performance at the International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain. To find out more about Kirk, visit his website listed below: http://www.kirkmarsh.com

Paul Wildbaum

Paul Wildbaum is a mime/clown/ standup comedian that has thrilled audiences around the world with an inspired repertoire of comedy, visual theater and audience participation. Described as "hilarious" and "touching", Paul is a compelling performer who combines the sublime with the ridiculous to create a brilliant cast of characters: Hamlet as a drunk, a baby unsure about being born; and with an uncanny ability to involve the audience, he creates a western in which he plays the villain and has audience members playing all the other roles, even the saloon doors. Paul studied mime with Til Thiel for seven years, Commedia Dell'Arte with Carlo Mazzone Clemente, and clown and mask with Richard Pochenko. He also apprenticed and performed as a puppeteer and studied acting and directing with Marie Hopps. He has presented his work to international audiences since 1976, representing Canada to such prestigious events as The Macao Arts Festival, The International Comedy Festival in Melbourne , Australia , the Totus World Theater Festival in Poland , the 1992 Expo in Seville , London International Mime Festival and the Montreal Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival. At Expo 86, in Vancouver, he was in such demand that a 6 week engagement was extended to 4 months and again, at Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia, he was held over for a month. In 2004, he performed at the prestigious Singapore Comedy Festival. To find out more about Paul's work, visit his website listed below: http://www.paulwildbaum.com

Helen Donnelly

Helen Donnelly is an actor, instructor and theatrical, therapeutic and circus clown. In the past, she was a professional performance storyteller and appeared in over 300 schools and libraries, and as an actor toured various children’s shows in Ontario. She has been teaching clown and movement workshops in the US and Canada for over 6 years at high schools, colleges and art institutions. Helen is a graduate from the University of Toronto with an Honours B.A., Specialist in Drama. Helen has studied clown with David Shiner (Cirque du Soleil, Fool Moon), Roch Jutras (Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize), John Turner and Mike Kennard (of Mump and Smoot fame), Grindl Kuchirka and Theatre Smith-Gilmour. She continues her study of the art form. She has worked with circus groups such as Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Sublime, Cirque Eos, Zero Gravity Circus and continues her work with Circus Orange. Aside from her work in the theatrical clown realm, she is a professional therapeutic clown offering friendship and therapeutic play at Bloorview Kids Rehab and worked at The Hospital for Sick Children for 2 years. She is a member of The Canadian Association of Therapeutic Clowns. In 2005, Helen formed her own theatrical clown company, Foo Productions. This company seeks to produce quality theatrical clown shows which entertain through parodying existing art forms. Its other mandate is to expose clown to a more multicultural audience as the language used presents no barrier. Posey’s Wig is a theatrical clown musical, performed entirely in gibberish (an invented language) with original music. The Foo Talk Show,created primarily for the corporate world, parodies the talk show formula as Foo the host interviews in gibberish with the guests responding in English. The format showcases Foo’s unique interview style and a musical sidekick (James Fisher), with original music. Helen also teaches a number of workshops, including "Discover Your Clown" for beginners and "Flexing Your Clown Muscle" for intermediate students. These are offered a few times a year. Her website has a downloadable list of upcoming workshops. To find out more about Helen's work, visit her website listed below: www.helendonnelly.com

Clown, Jokers, Pranksters Art Show -Eastchester NY

This is right up my alley! Literally. I won't be at the opening however, as I have a wedding to attend that night-- My Own! The Claude Gallery in Eastchester, New York is proud to present their first theme art show: Clowns, Jokers and Pranks Art Show, with a line up of over a dozen talented artists from across the United States. The curators of this show are RT Vegas and Jerry Todd. The opening festivities will commence on Saturday April 5th 2008 from 7 p.m until 1 a.m. Refreshments will include complimentary food and drink including wine, beer and tequila. A live musician jam session will coincide with art opening starting at 9 p.m. It will be held in the basement sound studio of the Claude Gallery and be hosted by gallery owner Artie Walker. Featured Artists: LEX Irmal Cannavo Mark Fox Keemo Stucky Andrew Sloan Biagio "Gino" Civale Jesse Sanchez JOS-L Jerry Todd Nicolas Caesar Katie Simpson Mike A. RT Vegas Nick Sheridan Dutch Von Spooge Clowns, Jokers and Pranks Art Show at the Claude Gallery Runs from April 5th 2008 through May 2nd 2008. The Claude Gallery 282 Main Street Eastchester, New York 10707 Artie Walker, owner For more information call (914) 779-8822 or email Artie at artjam73@gmail.com

Think Foolishly

Drew Richardson (aka The Dramatic Fool) has been busy blogging. His blog- Think Foolishly, features exercises, comments, interviews, and examples of his work in the really hard work of the clown- creative problem-solving. Or, how to do stuff logically that's just wrong, but doesn't seem wrong to your character. Sometimes when I'm teaching clowning and improvisation, I call this "predicamenting"-- finding or manufacturing the predicament that your character (or characters) get into. It takes skill and talent to set up the proper scenario. Over at Drew's blog-- he's got several assignments to learn how to be a better predicamenter-- the last one as of today was to build a "Foolish Tool Kit"-- a kit that fits in your suitcase that can be used to solve (and create) a number of problems. His before and after photos are funny! Also on the blog are film clips of masters (and of Drew's latest work) , an interview with creativity coach Eric Maisel, and other exercises to help you Think Foolishly. Definitely worth checking out!

Clowns Talk about Clowning- YouTube Videos

Jim Moore, the variety arts photographer who has probably photographed more clowns than anybody in the history of photography, has been doing something new-- he's been videotaping clowns. If you check out his YouTube videos (URL below), he's putting up interviews with performers as they talk about their work, how they create their work, and even why they create their work. Jim's got tons of archival stuff, so who knows what else he's got in his archives. Recently he posted an interview with Keith Nelson of the Bindlestiff's, and he's also got David Engel and Hilary Chaplain talking about creating a new act for David's character El Magnifico. HILARY CHAPLAIN & DAVID ENGEL VIDEO I suggest subscribing to his YouTube feed on the page, or checking in there pretty often to see what rare and interesting material he surfaces. He'll also be interviewing somebody from the NY Downtown Clown Revue every month, where he remains the official staff photographer) (And speaking of subscribing, thanks to the ever more efficient Pat Cashin of Clownalley.net for the link to Keith's interview. I knew Jim was putting these videos together, but didn't think to mention them until I saw Pat's post. He beats me to the punch a lot in posting stuff.) If you are not RSS'ing Clownalley.net, you should be! Jim's Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=jm5star&p=r Pat Cashin's Clown Alley: www.clownalley.net

Johnny Peers Muttville Comix

One of the top working clown and dog acts is Johnny Peers' Muttville Comix. Johnny has been performing his act for over 25 years, and has performed it on four continents and with some of the best circuses in the business, including Ringling, Big Apple Circus, and Carson & Barnes, among many others. Johnny's dad was a concessionaire on the Ringling circus. While helping his dad, Johnny ended up sneaking away to watch the clowns, and eventually decided to become one. He graduated from Ringling's Clown College in 1970 and a few years later, began creating the character and act that he's been doing ever since. Johnny currently uses about 15 dogs in his show, but owns and cares for 25 dogs. The dogs do everything, including jumping rope, climbing ladders, walking a tightrope, and most importantly, knocking Johnny down several times a minute and then walking all over him. It takes from 6 months to a year for each dog to learn its act, and the act is a collaboration between the dogs natural talents and Johnny's masterful ability to place the dogs in a circus context. In 2003, Johnny and his group won the Animal Planet Pet Star award. To find out more about Johnny and his Muttville Comix, please visit his website listed below: http://www.muttvillecomix.com. (site updated on 4/30/09)

Clown School of San Francisco

The Clown School of San Francisco is a character based school that combines small classes with intensive personal work to create clown characters and routines. The focus is on creating work that is personal to the actor. The work is primarily theatrical and exploratory in nature-- not particularly of the circus. The instructor, Christina Lewis Clinton, has been teaching workshops in clown character development and improvisation for fifteen years. Christina started clowning in Nicaragua when she traveled there with a Women's Circus. She has studied and performed clowning in Europe, Mexico and the United States. She received her Master's in Drama Therapy in San Francisco. Christina and I studied together with Czech master clown Ctibor Turba. They are currently in the midst of a 20 week session that started January 20 and will finish in May with a public show. They will also have an intensive two day workshop in June. To find out more about their work, visit their website listed below: http://www.clownschoolsf.org/

Tall Toys Troupe

The Tall Toys Troupe is a group of stilt-walking performers based in Connecticut who perform a number of stilt-based shows. They provide a number of entertainers and shows for corporate gigs, parades, birthday parties, and other events. Their costumes are great, and they have a number of different looks, including a 9 foot tall Uncle Sam, trees (like Ents from the Lord of the Rings), wizards, and lots of other characters. Although their name implies stilt-walking, they also provide jugglers, balloonologists, face painters, and of course clowns. Many of the performers they bring in are graduates of Ringling Clown College (one of the founders, Katie Wilson Peterson, was in my year) To find out more about the Tall Toys Troupe, visit their website at http://www.talltoys.com UPDATE: Both their email and their phone isn't working, although their website works like a charm. Not sure if everything is okay with them. If anyone reading this has more of an update on Tall Toys, please let me know. Or you can post in the comments....

Safety Last, with Ben Model Riverdale, NY 1/26

Safety Last with Ben Model Yes, it's Harold Lloyd in his iconic climb up the side of the 12-story Bolton Building, accompanied live by Ben Model, a silent film historian and accompanist for the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1997 he founded "The Silent Clowns Film Series" with film historian Bruce Lawton. Ben composes all his own scores, and performs in a style that is both evocative of the silent era and also aware of a contemporary (and younger) audience's awareness of music and film scoring. Ben composes and improvises all his own scores, and performs in a style that is both evocative of the silent era and also aware of a contemporary (and younger) audience's awareness of music and film scoring. After each movie - come upstairs to our candle-lit cafe and enjoy complementary coffee, wine, and sweets before you go home for the evening. Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM Neuwirth Theatre 5625 Arlington Avenue Bronx, NY 10471 Map & Directions TICKETS ARE $12 and available online: http://www.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=121438

Who Put the B in Ballyhoo?

Carlyn Beccia is an illustrator and artist who is inspired by the world of the circus and clowns. She has been painting and performing various acts of circus baboonery since she was a wee young girl. She first tested her own creativity in the human cannonball act by projecting her sister across the room. Her sister had to have stitches, but Carlyn knew she was destined for circus stardom. Carlyn attended the University of Massachusetts on a 4-year art scholarship and graduated in 1995. She has been awarded a number of awards from the Society of Children's Writers & Illustrators. She lives in Lynnfield, MA with two ferocious cats and her famous Strongman husband. Last year she wrote a fantastically illustrated book called "Who Put the B in Ballyhoo", which is an ABC book that features the circus and the sideshow. Each of the illustrations is beautifully well done, and is clever and witty. They run the gamut from tigers to acrobats to , yes, a flea circus! This is definitely a book worth having. Carlyn has a website for the book http://www.whoballyhoo.com which features interactive games, a make your own circus poster game, and info about author visits. She has a couple of other sites that are also circus oriented (listed below) In addition to being an illustrator, she is a crack web designer. If you'd like to purchase the book, get it at Amazon.com To find out about more about Carlyn's work, visit the websites listed below: http://www.carlynbeccia.com http://www.circusballyhoo.blogspot.com/ http://www.circusco.com

Donimo the Silent Clown

International stage and television performer Donimo (born Jonathan Baker) has an extensive background in physical and movement theatre, and has performed around the world for the past 25 years. Jonathan created Donimo by combining the ancient art of clowning with the world of silent screen comedy and the contemporary theatre techniques of Jacques Lecoq, Philippe Gaulier and Pierre Byland. Donimo first appeared on British T.V screens with an award winning performance on Central Television's talent show New Faces, where he received the largest public vote in the history of the series. He has since appeared on a number of shows in England on the BBC and other networks, as well as on TV shows all over Europe and South America. Donimo has appeared with a number of circuses and stage shows in Branson Missouri, Reno Nevada, Edinburgh Scotland, Atlantic City, Holland, Japan, and on the Cirque Dream Tour in North and South America. He has also been a regular on a number of cruise ship lines, and at festivals and corporate shows throughout England and Europe. Donimo has performed at a number of celebrity party and gala's, including Prince Charles' 40th birthday party, the Birthday Party Gala of the Sultan of Brunei, and for King Hassan of Morocco and his family. He also performed at the "Sons of the Desert Anniversary Celebration" where he was praised by no less a persona than Hal Roach. He has also worked with Phil Collins, Rick Wakeman, Sir Cliff Richard, David Essex, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Star, Ken Dodd, and Cannon & Ball. Donimo has been awarded the Gold Clown Award at the Comedy Arts Festival in Tianjin, China and is a Silver Medalist of the prestigious Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Jonathan has taught circus and performing arts classes for the Prince of Whales Trust and was awarded a grant from the Queen's Silver Jubilee Trust for his extraordinary acting and teaching abilities. To find out more about his work, please visit his website listed below: http://www.silentclown.com

Clown Jonas

Clown Jonas (aka Prosper O, aka John Ghysenbergh) is an internationally known performer from Belgium. He has performed in a number of countries, including an upcoming performance in Japan next week as part of the 3rd Yakumo International Theatre Festival. (See their website for additional information. (in English) Clown Jonas uses juggling, puppetry, magic, music, and clowning to create his shows. In his street show, as Don Prosper O, he cleans up the street sort of like a Don Quixote of dust. He also has a musical clown show with another Belgian clown (Saxofien) called Allegro con Dysastro which features a number of musical disasters that the two clowns cause and then narrowly avert. There are several other shows as well that he tours through Belgium and internationally. John is the founder and main teacher of Jonna Theater, a Belgian Youth theatre that teaches students workshops in clowning, t'ai chi, rhythm, theatre-making and much more. He has been teaching there for over 20 years, and has taught workshops internationally as well. To find out more about John's work, please visit the Jonna Theatre website listed below: http://www.digilife.be/jonna/ (PLEASE NOTE: The website is in Dutch, so may be difficult to follow. There is an English component to their website, but it's not complete)

Jean Peysson: Boxeur Bleu: Workshops in Mexico March 8-15, 2008

Jean Peysson is a French clown, writer, and theatre creator who lives in Lyon. Jean has written over 30 plays, numerous songs, two volumes of poetry and is currently working on a trilogy as a novelist. When he works as a clown, he works under the name Lulu. He is also the founder and director of Boxeur Bleu Theatre, which has performed at a number of international festivals, including Okinawa, Shanghai, and others. They teach clowning, put on shows, and create theatre. Their clown show Fanfine & Lulu has received international acclaim. Jean will be teaching a class in San Miguel of Allende, Mexico, March 8-15, 2008. The workshop is being held privately, under the auspices of a group of artists who live in San Miguel, two French people Daniel Sirdey and Florence Dengreville, and an LA Director David Hunter. The class will be about clown and also about theatre-- creating a clown character, and then using your personal life to create the story of the show. At the end of the workshop there will be a performance To find out more about the workshop or Boxeur Bleu & Jean Peyyson, visit the websites listed below. All of the websites are only in French, so you might have a problem if you don't speak French. To the best of my knowledge, the class will be in French, with some English translation available, but the website is not clear on this point. UPDATE: There are two portions to the workshop-- clown & theatre. The clown aspect will be taught in French, English, and Spanish if required. The theatre aspect will be working with French texts in French. If you are having problems understanding either of the websites, I suggest trying to translate it via this webpage www.babelfish.altavista.com It's not perfect, but it will get you 80% of what you need to know. The class costs $450 Canadian dollars, and a deposit must be paid via Paypal. The class is limited to 15 students. WORKSHOP IN MEXICO WEBSITE: www.ateliertheatre.san-miguel-allende.com BOXEUR BLEU WEBSITE: http://boxeur.bleu.theatre.free.fr/ You can also email Florence vipassana9@gmail.comif you have any questions.