Workshops

“Jouez et Rejouez“

Clown School with Britt Small

Clown School builds on the fundamentals of clown work as taught by Richard Pochinko inspired by his mask and character creation. Classes include exercises that will focus on increasing play, spontaneity and complicity. In doing so, students will also have the opportunity to practice Turns and develop their raw performance power. Clowning is taught as a fundamental and essential tool for all kinds of performative expression.

Upcoming Clown Schools

Limited to 10 participants
$250 for all three days

CLOWN SHOOL: FUNDAMENTALS
March 27-28-29

Friday: 6pm – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday: 2pm – 6pm

This 3-day Clown intensive is an exploration of presence, play and being seen without needing to perform. Drawing from contemporary clown practice, somatic awareness, and ensemble-based improvisation, the class invites participants to slow down, listen and notice what happens before we try to be interesting, funny or “good.” Clown here is not about jokes or characters, but about staying human in moments of uncertainty and discovering how connection, humour and relief emerge from that honesty. The work is gentle, rigorous, and deeply human: focused on staying with not-knowing long enough for something real to emerge.

Open to performers, improvisors and those with no performance background, this class emphasizes process over product. Through games, simple scores and guided solo explorations, participants practice arrival, contact, failure and restraint in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Costumes and short clown turns are introduced as pressure and permission rather than performance goals. No prior experience is required, only curiosity, willingness to stay present and a desire to play.

CLOWN SCHOOL: DEEP DIVE
April 10-11-12

SOLD OUT

This Clown intensive supports performers in developing material that stays porous, responsive and human under pressure. Rather than polishing jokes or fixed bits, the work focuses on shaping live material through attention, timing and contact with an audience. Using clown scores, failure and repetition, participants practice building structure without deadening impulse: learning how to stay present while choices solidify.

This class is ideal for artists interested in creating work that remains alive as it becomes form.

Previous class or practice recommended.

Teacher Britt Small studied at LaMama’s Director’s Intensive in Italy and has trained in various physical theatre forms, including Pochinko Clown with Michael Kennard, Viewpoints with Tina Landau, Anthropological Theater with Włodzimierz Staniewski, Action Theatre and Authentic Movement. She completed her MFA in Directing at the University of Victoria and has directed local and touring shows across Canada for the past 20 years. She is the artistic producer of Atomic Vaudeville and an independent rapper. Britt also works as a dramaturge and book editor and has taught acting, play building, movement, clown and improvisation for various organizations including the University of Victoria, University of Lethbridge, Raino Dance and the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

“Britt’s gifts, knowledge, experience and wisdom are boundless and in 12 hours I feel like I became a better human, mother and clown. As a trauma therapist who specializes in working with complex trauma and dissociation, I am deeply appreciative of how quickly Britt created an atmosphere of safety and containment throughout. She sees others with care, honesty and joy. Amazing workshop!”