Clown 1: Foundations
A playful 5-week introduction to the Art of Clowning

Welcome to the Bristol Clown School’s new course that introduces you to the foundations and fundamentals of clowning.

For anyone with an interest in exploring their own comic potential, these classes offer a platform to explore a state of simplicity and vulnerability that will entice the unexpected and the hilarious. Participants will be guided to dive into a space of playfulness where having fun is at the centre of the creative process.

Playfulness is a state of Flow, where we become less self-conscious and more receptive to the pleasure of being completely in the now and in creative contact with ourselves and the others.

From here, we will introduce some of the fundamental building blocks of clowning to help you explore this dynamic comedic form. We will explore:

★ connection
★ encountering each other
★ encountering the audience
★ clown play with emotions & status
★ improvisation & performance

The understanding of these principles is vital for any performer/actor interested in creating original work within a character, a play, a choreography or a dramatic space.

Each session consists of introductory body work and clown principle training, followed by solo and group improvisations.

Clown 1: Foundations will be facilitated by professional idiot Holly Meechan. Holly will will be drawing on her vast experience and background in theatre clowning, improvisation, physical theatre and performance.

Discover new ways of expressing yourself through your physicality. Encounter the world with fresh eyes and a playful heart. Connect and play with a gorgeous, growing community of clowns in fun and surprising ways. Plenty of laughter guaranteed!

Who's this for?

This a beginners course for those who have never done any clowning or those with some experience who wish to explore the fundamentals again.  It is suitable for performers and non-performers, old-hands or clown curious, and anyone who wishes to broaden their skill set in a supportive environment.

All exercises will be tailored to the participants' needs and everyone will have the opportunity to work both individually and in groups with allocated time for reflection and feedback.

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

How it works

Dates & times:
Thursdays
27 Feb, 6, 13, 20, 27 March
7.30 - 9.30pm

Venue:
Windmill Hill Community Association
Bristol, BS3 4LW

Investment:
5 week course
£180 - Full price
£160 - Concession (low/no income, student)
EARLYBIRD discount: £20 off if you pay before 22 January
Payment will be requested via paypal or BACs

Enrolment deadline:
Wednesday 12 February 2025

Prerequisites:
None. All levels welcome

sign me up

★ "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

★ "exceeded my expectations - this was high quality training, packed with so many fun and useful tools, games and exercises and it was structured so well in gradually building up skills until the final mini performances. Holly and Robyn were really supportive and encouraging facilitators while also pushing you to keep improving your clown practice. "
Participant, Clown 1:Foundations Weekend workshop

★ "It reminds me to say yes to play! It helped to build both social and performance confidence, silliness and wonder."
Participant, Clown 1:Foundations Weekend workshop

★ "After doing the course I fell in love with clowning and it gave me the confidence to keep doing it and build up my skills - I signed up to the next level - the Building Blocks course - straight after! I’ll also be using some of the fab games & activities in my own drama facilitator work."
Participant, Clown 1:Foundations Weekend workshop

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. You can occasionally see her on the comedy and cabaret circuit performing solo character and clown bits and Holly has also recently started working as a Giggle Doctor for Theodora children's charity.