Clown College

A six week course to unlock your inner clown. About the course: This six-week course is an invitation to play, fail, and laugh together. We'll explore the fundamentals of clowning - not as a set of acrobatic skills, but as a way of relating to yourself, other people, and the world around you. This is a DIY, community-focused space where we'll build confidence through collective experimentation (including games, improvisation, craft activities, and more). No previous experience is needed, just a willingness to be curious, supportive, and a little bit silly. By the end of the course, you'll have a deeper understanding of what clowning can be, practical tools you can bring into your own creative practice or everyday life, and a group of fellow fools to cheer each other on. Activities each week will vary, including some gentle movement and some crafting activities - please wear something you find comfortable to move in and don’t mind getting the occasional bit of paint on. Course dates: Workshop 1: Wednesday 13th January 7-9pm Worshop 2: Wednesday 20th January 7-9pm Worksop 3: Wednesday 27th January 7-9pm Workshop 4: Wednesday 3rd Feb 7-9pm Wokshop 5: Wednesday 10th Feb 7-9pm Workshop 6: Wednesday 17th Feb 7-9pm About us: Miriam is a performer / theatre maker with 7 years experience including drag, cabaret, pantomime, and immersive experiences. She is part of the “chaos drag” troupe Carbonara and her drag alter ego Jason Waterfalls recently released his debut single about a beach ball as part of the Hatch fundraising compilation, Rats in the Meter. Miriam has also produced shows for a touring circus company, and is highly accomplished at cleaning up custard. Tom is a performer who has been wearing masks for as long as he can remember. He's been a teacher for almost 20 years, mostly spent clowning around in primary classrooms. This existentially absurd toil taught him the vital role of play and fun in one's personal, social and emotional growth. After school, Tom can usually be found covered in paint, banging a drum or cooking chicken, sometimes all at once. He's ruined theatrical performances at The Crucible and Hatch, made props and costumes for Halloween shows and pantomimes and drummed in Yo Dynamo, Feudalism Now and Ye Woodbeast, to varied critical acclaim. Our previous experiences of clowning together include the Hatch Pantomime, Slaughterhouse Live! and several other immersive Halloween shows, as well as many sketches for Carbonara, and Scarborough & Foolish.