The Language of Nonsense:
Intro To Clown w/ Chad Damiani
THE LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE: INTRO TO CLOWN
A new intensive from Chad Damiani — the creator/director of STAND UP AND CLOWN and CLOWN ZOO! Clowns do more than just connect with audiences. They invite them to become part of the show. But how can we get a roomful of strangers to not only go along with our joyfully dumb ideas, but also become our eager co-conspirators?
This two-day intensive explores a fundamental element of clown work - communicating through The Language of Nonsense. How do we start a conversation? Build a vocabulary through movement and pattern? Establish games people will be excited to play? A deep exploration of primal communication. Great for absolute beginners, veteran performers and anyone looking for a companion class to Chad’s SAVE THE SHOW intensive. It’s also a chance to be live directed by Chad in a class show – on the amazing Elysian stage!
CLASS:
Saturday 5/6 from 10 AM - 2 PM
Sunday 5/7 from 10 AM - 2 PM
CLASS SHOW:
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Chad Damiani is a pioneer of LA’s contemporary clown scene. His journey began over 25 years ago as an announcer for World Championship Wrestling – where he learned from the greatest physical storytellers in the world. He has studied with some of clown and improv’s best instructors, was a founding member of The Murge (an ensemble directed by former Cirque Du Soleil frontman John Gilkey) and has performed over 600 shows with his comedy duo Jetzo, bringing clown work to traditional improv venues. Chad was a featured performer at the Lyric Hyperion, performing weekly with international clown stars like Natalie Palamides and Dr. Brown. Those collaborations have led to a number of clown-inspired TV projects, an appearance on America’s Got Talent and regular work with the Vegas-based circus powerhouse Spiegelworld. He produces and performs in Clown Zoo – the only outdoor theatrical mask show in Los Angeles (soon-to-be featured at the Elysian, every last Saturday of the month at 8pm).
Chad has been teaching for over a decade. During the pandemic, he moved his clown classes online – training over 200 students around the globe. His unique approach to the work reflects his background – with a focus on physical play, audience connection and giving gravitas to your dumbest and most joyful impulses.
A LITTLE MORE ON CLOWNING
What does it mean to be a modern clown? If you’ve been to the Elysian, you’ve most likely seen clowning presented in a multitude of ways. From offbeat standup to outrageous characters to mind-bending bits of inspired surrealism. The work is an exercise in contradiction. The clown is a harbinger of mischief, defiance and danger; while also a purveyor of joy, kindness and connection. Clowns present their dumbest ideas, while connecting to audiences in a deeply profound way.