Workshops

Clown School with Britt Small

Clown School offers training in contemporary clown as a practice of presence, play and connection. Drawing from the lineage of Richard Pochinko alongside improvisation and embodied performance, the work focuses on attention, responsiveness and staying with not-knowing.

Through simple exercises, repetition and live exploration, students develop spontaneity, awareness and the ability to work under pressure. Clown is approached not as a style, but as a foundation for creative expression: supporting performers and non-performers alike in becoming more present, responsive and alive in front of others.

Upcoming Clown Schools

Limited to 10 participants
$250 for all three days

CLOWN SHOOL: FUNDAMENTALS
May 29, 30, 31
Friday: 6 – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2 – 6 pm

This 3-day intensive explores presence, play and being seen without needing to perform. Participants are invited to slow down, listen and notice what happens before trying to be funny, clever or “good.” Clown here is about staying human in moments of uncertainty and discovering how connection and humour emerge from that.

Through games, simple scores and short solo turns, students practice arrival, contact and working with failure in a supportive environment. Costumes are introduced as a playful form of pressure, not a performance requirement.

Open to all, no experience needed. Just curiosity, a willingness to stay present and a desire to play.

CLOWN SCHOOL: DEEP DIVE
June 19, 20, 21
Friday: 6 – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2 – 6 pm

This intensive supports performers in building and shaping material that stays responsive and alive. Rather than focusing on jokes or fixed ideas, the work explores how material develops through attention, repetition and contact with an audience.

Using structured exercises and longer turns, participants practice working with pressure, timing, and form, learning how to shape material without losing spontaneity.

Ideal for performers looking to create work that remains human, flexible and connected as it takes shape. Previous clown or performance experience 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!”

T&Cs

Reserve your spot for the full weekend by paying a non-refundable 50% deposit on Zeffy. We will send you a link to pay the remaining balance before the start of class. If you would prefer to pay the full amount at once, select this option on Zeffy.

Payments can also be made via cash or e-transfer. To discuss alternate payment options, please contact admin@atomicvaudeville.com.

If you are unable to attend due to sickness, your deposit can be transferred to the next class. Deposits may only be transferred once, after which point they will be forfeited. 

Rescheduling for any other reason will incur an administrative fee of $25.

We are now using Zeffy to take payments. This is a free platform that doesn’t charge fees, so your money comes directly to AV. When you check out, there is an option to add a tip for Zeffy. This is entirely optional! Please select ‘other’ from the dropdown menu and add a $0 tip. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Classes take place at the Atomic Vaudeville studio in Chinatown, Victoria BC. The studio is on the top floor with many stairs.

There is also a resident cat in the studio. 

For anyone taking the class who is part of an immunocompromised community, we welcome you to wear a mask whenever you need, especially when engaging with the group activities and warming up. We do not require mask wearing from all participants because of the importance of facial expressions in the work but the workshop space has a great crossflow, ceiling fans and space for distancing. 

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