CLASSES
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CLASSES 🍎
What’s so funny? (4 WEEK)
WHAT’S SO FUNNY?
“Honest is Funny and Funny is Honest.”-- Me just now.
Trying to be funny isn’t very funny. But oh my word is it funny to be authentic. The clown, above all, seeks to be one hundred percent purely, authentically (even overly and embarrassingly) committed to the truth of the moment and doesn’t adhere to (or even understand) societal constructs. Embodying our clowns gives us permission to dissolve made-up rules and connect with ourselves and the audience to find the ha-ha and boo-hoo in truly profound ways.
This 4-week workshop offers writing and performance prompts and exercises designed to reveal and break down beliefs about what is and isn’t funny, what should and shouldn’t be shown on stage, and what is and isn’t the fourth wall, along with weekly short lessons on contemporary artists, to inspire a new way of looking at creating comedy and encourage us to explore mediums other than performance to create unique work on stage. We will investigate stupidly and seriously how chasing beauty, depth and vulnerability on stage can lead to comedy on a level that hits harder than you could have ever imagined. Find the funny through the not-so-funny and be amazed by the hilarity in truth.
A safe (but deep) dive into the parts we don’t want to show, where we can find the power of clowning, guided by Claire Woolner, an award-winning absurdist comedian and clown who has earned her accolades by crying on stage so much that the audience laughs and sometimes even tell her she has changed their lives (lol).
There is no pressure to be, do or make anything funny–we will just explore the depths and see where they lead. But my gut tells me we’re gonna find some pretty absurdly hilarious shit.
This instructor is offering 2 scholarship spots each at $200. Priority to BIPOC students. Email clairewoolner@gmail.com for more info.
CLASS:
Tuesday’s 4/16 - 5/7 from 6:30PM - 10:30PM
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Claire Woolner is a clown from LA who has trained and performed with Cirque du Soleil’s John Gilkey, was a member of The Idiot Workshop’s Flagship clown ensemble The Murge (directed by Gilkey), and runs the clown incubation theater PDA. She has toured and performed in multiple ensemble clown shows, has taught clowns across the country and has helped usher many a clown show into the ether. Her newest solo show ‘A Retrospection’ was awarded Top of the Fringe (HFF ‘23), Platinum Medal (HFF ‘23), Encore Producer’s Award (HFF ‘23) an epic run at Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and lotsa stars.
“If the performance artist Marina Abromovic were a clown” -- The New York Times
“A frantic and bewildering mash-up of clowning and performance art that is far more accessible and emotional than should be possible.” --The Wee Review
“There is courage in her clowning, and salvation in our laughter.” -- The TVolution
“A clown, but one whose nose is only red because it’s been smeared with blood following another primal scream of a scene.” -- Chortle
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.