Clown & Improv
One-day workshop with Holly Meechan

What happens when nobody—including you—knows what comes next?
No plan. No safety net. Just raw, unexpected laughs. Explore the dynamic fusion of clown meets improv.

In this workshop we will approach both clown and improv from a comedy performance point of view. Discovering where they meet and what we can borrow from one artform to enhance the other.

We will investigate the concept of the fourth wall; ideas versus impulses; and the thinking and unthinking - how the brain and body can work in connection or in opposition, and when to let which one lead our action. We will focus on listening and being present in the moment as a performer and play with existing and aiming to be comfortable in the unknown.
With exercises from both disciplines and some adapted especially for this space, Holly will draw on her extensive experience as both an improviser and clown performer to guide you through an exciting exploration of unplanned comedy for the stage.

This workshop covers a broad range of material, improv techniques and clowning skills including:
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★  Spontaneity
★  Learning how to find the game and when to drop it
★  Tuning into the audience
★  Embracing failure and celebrating mistakes.

Join theatre-maker, performer, director and facilitator Holly Meechan for a playful and supported exploration of the world of improv and clown, where we shall seek to find out how, why and when we can make an audience laugh through unplanned and unscripted performance.

Who's this for?

This workshop is perfect for  improvisers who want to be more connected to their body and the audience, for clowns who want to create scenes and build ideas, and for anyone who is curious to explore their own comic potential in different ways.

Previous Participant Feedback

★ "I felt nervous before attending as I didn’t know what to expect from a clown workshop. I was worried I'd be put on the spot to “be funny”, but it was far from that. There was no pressure to be the best or hilarious, it was all explorative and trust building."
Participant, Clown 1:Foundations Weekend workshop

★ “There’s something incredibly freeing about dropping self-consciousness and just being in the moment. Holly created such a warm, inclusive space that made it easy to connect, take creative risks, and laugh—a lot. I honestly think something like this should be compulsory for everyone!"
Participant, Clown 1:Foundations Weekend workshop

★ “So much fun! A really engaging experience to be creative in a different way. I can see how it (improv) can get addictive, Holly was great - super passionate and a great facilitator” 
Magaila, Participant, Improv workshop: Interbrand

How it works

★  Date & time:
Saturday 27 September
10am - 5pm

★  Venue:
The Spark Space
138a Church Road, Redfield
Bristol  BS5 9HH

★  Investment:
£100 - Supporter/ High earner
£90 - Full Price
£80 - Concession (low/no income, student)

EARLYBIRD DEAL:
​£75 if you pay before 30 August

"CLOWN AND..." WORKSHOP BUNDLE
All 4 workshops - £420 (save £120)

BOOKING: 
Email [email protected] to book a place

If you’re not sure if your level of experience would support you to join this workshop, please email us and we will be happy to help identify if the workshop is right for you.

Welcome to our Clown and… series – where clowning meets other creative forms!
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Discover new dimensions of your creative practice by exploring the intersection of clowning with different artistic disciplines. How does the spontaneity, playfulness, and vulnerability of clown transform other modalities and vice versa?

Through this series, you’ll:

• Expand your creative range by blending clowning with unexpected forms
• Deepen your expression by embracing risk, curiosity, and joy
• Reimagine performance through the unique lens of the clown

Whether you're a performer, artist, or simply curious, join us to play, experiment, and uncover fresh ways to create. The clown is your guide - where will the journey take you?

Check out the full series:
Saturday 27 September
Clown & Improv
1-day workshop with Holly Meechan

Sunday 28 September
Clown & Puppetry
1-day workshop with Katie Tranter

Sat 18 & Sun 19 October
Clown & Slapstick Comedy
2-day workshop with Joe Dieffenbacher

Sat 6 & Sun 7 December
Clown & Archetypes
2-day workshop with Peta Lily

About the facilitator

Holly Meechan is a Bristolian performer, theatre-maker, director and facilitator. She has been running workshops for over twenty years for a wide variety of groups in community, educational and corporate settings; working for companies including Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Shakespeare Schools Foundation, Freshwater Theatre, Fifth Word and her own company Join the Dots. As a practitioner her specialist areas of interest are devised theatre, immersive and interactive performance, improvisation, clowning and puppetry. 

Since gaining a degree in theatre at Exeter University she has further trained in comedy improv with The Free Association and Monkey Toast; in Forum Theatre with Adrian Jackson; and she has studied clown with many teachers including Phillipe Gaulier, Aitor Basuri, Peta Lily, Holly Stoppit, Bim Mason and Dr Brown. She performs regularly on stage with London based improv team Rhinoceros and in Bristol Improv Theatre’s flagship show The Bish Bosh Bash. She was a performer/writer for Release the Clowns comedy sketch podcast and is performer/director for sketch group Biscuit Barrel. Other performance credits include multiple shows for Gingerline, Notting Hell at the Wardrobe Theatre, The Biscuit Barrel 69 Sketch show, and Bim Mason’s Big Heads. 

You can also find Holly on the comedy and cabaret circuit performing solo character and clown bits and in hospitals working as a Giggle Doctor for Theodora Children's charity. As a facilitator Holly aims to create safe spaces for exciting, playful shared experiences where she encourages people to explore their creativity, and connect with each other. She is also very serious about silliness!