CLOWN WORKSHOP

Get ready to embark on a joyous and fun-filled journey of self-discovery as you discover your inner clown! This workshop is perfect for students who are eager to explore the art of comedy, authenticity, and connection.

What’s On Offer?

Duration: Flexible to your needs
Suitability: Grades 7–12
Available Terms: 1–4

Workshop Focus

An immersive, high-energy exploration of clowning as a performance art.

• Encourages risk-taking, playfulness, and vulnerability in performance.
• Develops expressive physicality, comedic timing, and audience connection.
• Explores clown archetypes, improvisation, and the role of failure in comedy.
• It helps students embrace spontaneity and develop resilience through laughter.

Explore a Variety of Clowning Styles & Techniques:

• The Simple Clown: Embrace the beauty of simplicity in comedy.
• The Augustine Clown: Tap into mischievous and playful energy.
• The Adult Clown: Discover complexity and nuance in comedic performance.
• Character Clown: Create unique, memorable clown characters.
• Developing a Unique Character: Craft your clown persona with quirks and individuality.
• Finding the Game: Learn to spot and highlight the comedic “game” in any scene.
• Checking In & The Rule of 3: Master audience engagement and comedic timing.
• Improvisation & Audience Connection: Build skills to interact with audiences in real time.
• Building a Routine: Create cohesive, entertaining clown performances.

What You’ll Gain:

• Confidence in self-expression and vulnerability
• Skills in improvisation and quick thinking
• The ability to craft and perform unique comedic routines
• An appreciation for the art of connecting with an audience
• A joyful, transformative experience that blends humour with sincerity

What Teachers Are Saying:

“This workshop brought out sides of my students I’d never seen before! They laughed, learned, and left with Confidence and a new perspective on performance.” Clayfield College, QLD

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

Years P-7 Drama (ACARA):

• Investigate and experiment with the physical and expressive skills of clowning.
• Develop confidence in using improvisation and spontaneity in performance.
• Explore movement, facial expression, and audience interaction to communicate meaning.
• Perform devised and improvised clowning sequences, maintaining comedic timing and audience engagement.

Years 8-12 Drama (ACARA):

• Explore the historical and cultural significance of clowning as a theatrical tradition.
• Develop and refine expressive skills to create comedic performances that engage and entertain audiences.
• Experiment with clowning conventions such as playfulness, failure, and audience interaction.
• Analyse how clowning and comedy shape audience engagement in different contexts.

General Capabilities:

• Critical and Creative Thinking: Using improvisation to solve problems and think on the spot.
• Personal and Social Capability: Building confidence, resilience, and collaboration skills through play.
• Ethical Understanding: Understanding the impact of humour, satire, and comedy on social perspectives.
• Intercultural Understanding: Exploring clown traditions across different cultures (e.g., European clowning, Commedia dell’Arte, slapstick comedy).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• General Venue & Setup Requirements for Workshops
• Requires an open spacesuch as a classroom, double teaching classroom, drama room, studio, or theatre space
• There are no technical requirements– chairs for participants are optional.
• Workshops are designed to be engaging, interactive, and accessible, catering to students with different learning styles.

Devised by: Clint Bolster