Clown Congress 2026
The State of Play
Calling all clowns, fools, tricksters, idiots, buffoons, plonkers, nincompoops, dopes, clods, numpties, wallies and sillybillies! Come gather with us for 2-days of deep, meaningful, playful and irreverent exploration of the state of play of our beloved artforms.
The Clown Congress is a space of inquiry; a place to playfully and collectively ask what does it mean to be a clown in this current era?
The Clown Congress is a space of inquiry; a place to playfully and collectively ask what does it mean to be a clown in this current era?
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As the world transforms, so must our art. In this moment of rupture and possibility, we are gathering to explore:
• The State of our Art: What's happening in clown world? What’s going well? What are we doing that we can savour and celebrate? • The Future of Performance: Is traditional theatre dead? In the spirit of 'evolve or die,' how do we, as artists, sustain ourselves and our practice? • Clowning in Action: How do we apply clowning to make a tangible difference, in our own lives and the lives of others, through activism, therapy, and social care? • Community and Survival: How do we build clown communities and utopian spaces to see us through turbulent times? How do we gather outside the failing paradigms to sustain ourselves and our art? WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
This event is for clowns, fools, tricksters, buffoons, idiots, performers, activists, therapists, directors, teachers, facilitators, students, clown doctors, humanitarian clowns, applied drama / improvisation practitioners, researchers, artists, dreamers and anyone who uses play in their work or personal practice. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN? A bunch of playful adults will be taking over Bristol University’s drama department for 2 whole days to discuss, play, dream and grapple with the question: what is the state of play of clowning in these turbulent times? We’ll be using Open Space technology; a clown-friendly organic conferencing method that allows you, the participants, to set the agenda. Each morning, you’ll be greeted by your friendly hosts and gently and clearly orientated into the world of Open Space. You’ll all get a chance to raise a topic for exploration. Sessions can take many forms including exploratory workshops, focused discussions, co-created play sessions, and sharing individual projects and personal artistic experiences. There are lots of different spaces around the drama department available for us to use for these sessions. You don’t have to raise a topic at all, it’s OK to just come along and see what you fancy getting involved with when you get there! Open Space allows each person to follow their own pathway through the weekend, moving towards that which entices, inspires, nourishes and tickles. You can just spend the whole weekend hanging out in the squishy sofa area, drinking endless cups of tea if you like! We aim to create a welcoming environment where clowns from different backgrounds can meet, play, share, inspire, learn and grow together. WHO IS THE CLOWN CONGRESS TEAM? Your hosts are Holly Stoppit (IFS-trained dramatherapist specialising in Clowning and Fooling for mental health), Robyn Hambrook (activist clown, performer, director) and Jan Wozniak (clown academic). We will be supported by a team of fantastic volunteers. |
Where, When & WhoWHEN:
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March 2026 TIMES: 9.30am-6pm both days WHERE: Wickham Theatre, Bristol University, Cantock's Cl, Bristol BS8 1UP HOSTED BY: Holly Stoppit, Robyn Hambrook and Jan Wozniak DEADLINE FOR TICKET SALES: Friday 13 March INVESTMENT: We are offering a sliding scale to suit your pocket: 1 day ticket (includes lunch & refreshments) £90 (standard) / £75 (low earning) / £60 (in receipt of benefits / in full time education) per day 2 day ticket (includes lunch and refreshments) £160 (standard) / £130 (low earning) / £100 (in receipt of benefits / in full time education) for 2 days All tickets are available on Dandelion CONGRESS COMRADES:
Part of what makes our events successful is the team that comes together to make them happen. We truly can’t do it without Congress Comrades. We have space for 4 Congress Comrades. This is a voluntary support role for anyone who would like to attend the Congress and also give something back. As a Congress Comrade, you will receive free access to the Clown Congress in exchange for volunteering for one day in a support role. Tasks may include meet-and-greet, supporting facilitators, helping set up lunch, and similar activities. This year, we have an application process. Please fill out this form by 30 January to be considered for one of these positions. |
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DAILY SCHEDULE
9.30am - Arrival & registration 10am - 11.30am - Welcome, ice-breakers, introducing Open Space 11.30am - 12:00pm - Break - tea & coffee provided 12.00pm - 1.00pm - Open Space session one 1.00pm - 2.00pm - Lunch - provided for all participants 2.00 - 2.30pm - Re-gathering 2.30pm - 3.30pm - Open Space session two 3.30pm - 4.00pm - Break - tea & coffee provided 4.00pm - 5.00pm - Open Space session three 5.00pm - 6.00pm - Whole group gathering, sharing and closing |
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WHAT IS A CLOWN CONGRESS:
The Clown Congress is a carefully held space, where clowns from all different disciplines can:
★ Play together
★ Share practice
★ Have conversations about issues big and small
★ Explore developments of the various applications of the art form
★ Inspire and be inspired
★ Respond to our key questions
★ Challenge our thinking around the possibilities and power of clowning
CLOWN CONGRESS TIMELINE:- how did we get here?
Clown Congress 2026 builds on previous events hosted by Robyn, Holly and other collaborators:
2020 - Clowns in Crisis Online Conference - How Can Clowning Help You and How Can Clowns Help Others In Times Of Crisis?
2021 - Clowning out of Chaos Online Conference - How can we clown with chaos? And how can clowning help us move beyond chaos and create the world we want to live in?
2022 - Clown Congress 1- Clowning and Protest, Clowning and Social Justice and the Clowning and the Climate Crisis.
2023 - Clown Congress 2 - Clowns & Identity - How are we changing the artform in ways that enable greater diversity and inclusion? How do we cultivate diverse approaches that emerge from our diverse identities?
2025 - Clown Congress 3 - The 2025 - Clown Congress 3 - the Future of Clowning - What is the future of clowning in turbulent times? How can we use clowning to build community, empowerment, and resilience? How can we make clowning more relevant, accessible and inclusive?
WHAT DOES A CLOWN CONGRESS LOOK LIKE:
Want to know what happens at a Clown Congress? You can read about our last event in 2025 here.
The Clown Congress is a carefully held space, where clowns from all different disciplines can:
★ Play together
★ Share practice
★ Have conversations about issues big and small
★ Explore developments of the various applications of the art form
★ Inspire and be inspired
★ Respond to our key questions
★ Challenge our thinking around the possibilities and power of clowning
CLOWN CONGRESS TIMELINE:- how did we get here?
Clown Congress 2026 builds on previous events hosted by Robyn, Holly and other collaborators:
2020 - Clowns in Crisis Online Conference - How Can Clowning Help You and How Can Clowns Help Others In Times Of Crisis?
2021 - Clowning out of Chaos Online Conference - How can we clown with chaos? And how can clowning help us move beyond chaos and create the world we want to live in?
2022 - Clown Congress 1- Clowning and Protest, Clowning and Social Justice and the Clowning and the Climate Crisis.
2023 - Clown Congress 2 - Clowns & Identity - How are we changing the artform in ways that enable greater diversity and inclusion? How do we cultivate diverse approaches that emerge from our diverse identities?
2025 - Clown Congress 3 - The 2025 - Clown Congress 3 - the Future of Clowning - What is the future of clowning in turbulent times? How can we use clowning to build community, empowerment, and resilience? How can we make clowning more relevant, accessible and inclusive?
WHAT DOES A CLOWN CONGRESS LOOK LIKE:
Want to know what happens at a Clown Congress? You can read about our last event in 2025 here.
2025 Class Photo - credit Dan Green
Access Info
There is a section on the booking form to tell us about your access needs.
We welcome people of all abilities, people who are neurovergent and people with mild-moderate mental health issues.
There will be an access support / pastoral care member of our team on site and available at all times.
The venue is accessible for people who use wheelchairs or have restricted movement. There is a ramp to get in, accessible toilets and a lift to all areas of the event.
There will be a designated quiet space for those who need to rest.
There can also be a noisy room for those who need to make noise!
We wish we had the budget for sign language interpreters and audio-describers but we don’t this year. If you need your own interpreter or access worker to accompany you to this event, please get in touch with us and we’ll arrange a ticket.
Covid Care
There are still people who are vulnerable to covid and the facilitators want everyone to feel as safe as possible in the space.
We can't guarantee a Covid-free environment, but we can do our best to minimise the risks for people with compromised immunity and/or those who are connected with immune-compromised people.
>If you have any covid-like symptoms, please take a lat-flow test and please don't come if you have tested positive.
>All exercises can work with social distancing, if that is what you need. Please make sure that physical proximity is consensual.
>You are welcome to wear a mask if that makes you feel safer. We will not be asking people to wear masks.
>We will be working with windows open for ventilation, so please bring extra warm layers.
>We will have an open discussion and make a group agreement on the first day to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable enough.
Cancellation Policy
> If you need to cancel your place before the course begins, full refunds can only be given up until two weeks before the Clown Congress begins.
> Should you need to cancel your place after this date, 50% of your payment will be retained, unless your place can be suitably filled.
> For drop-outs within 72 hours (3 days) of the start of the course, your full fee will be retained.
> If we need to cancel this course for any reason, you will be offered alternative dates. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled dates, then we will offer a refund.rescheduled dates, then we will offer a refund.
There is a section on the booking form to tell us about your access needs.
We welcome people of all abilities, people who are neurovergent and people with mild-moderate mental health issues.
There will be an access support / pastoral care member of our team on site and available at all times.
The venue is accessible for people who use wheelchairs or have restricted movement. There is a ramp to get in, accessible toilets and a lift to all areas of the event.
There will be a designated quiet space for those who need to rest.
There can also be a noisy room for those who need to make noise!
We wish we had the budget for sign language interpreters and audio-describers but we don’t this year. If you need your own interpreter or access worker to accompany you to this event, please get in touch with us and we’ll arrange a ticket.
Covid Care
There are still people who are vulnerable to covid and the facilitators want everyone to feel as safe as possible in the space.
We can't guarantee a Covid-free environment, but we can do our best to minimise the risks for people with compromised immunity and/or those who are connected with immune-compromised people.
>If you have any covid-like symptoms, please take a lat-flow test and please don't come if you have tested positive.
>All exercises can work with social distancing, if that is what you need. Please make sure that physical proximity is consensual.
>You are welcome to wear a mask if that makes you feel safer. We will not be asking people to wear masks.
>We will be working with windows open for ventilation, so please bring extra warm layers.
>We will have an open discussion and make a group agreement on the first day to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable enough.
Cancellation Policy
> If you need to cancel your place before the course begins, full refunds can only be given up until two weeks before the Clown Congress begins.
> Should you need to cancel your place after this date, 50% of your payment will be retained, unless your place can be suitably filled.
> For drop-outs within 72 hours (3 days) of the start of the course, your full fee will be retained.
> If we need to cancel this course for any reason, you will be offered alternative dates. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled dates, then we will offer a refund.rescheduled dates, then we will offer a refund.