The Online Clown Academy* is delighted to present the
Clowns In Crisis Conference, 6-8 November 2020

We are asking:
How Can Clowning Help You and How Can Clowns Help Others In Times Of Crisis?

This ground-breaking online conference brings together performers & practitioners to consider how clowning is applied to the world in the forms of personal or political change. Delegates include dramatherapists personal development practitioners therapists of all kinds activists performers clowns fools idiots & anyone interested.

A mix of free / donations-based events and paid-for workshops. All events are ticketed as places are limited.

A highlight of the conference is our Saturday night panel discussion. Organisers Holly Stoppit & Robyn Hambrook will be joined by a powerhouse panel of respected and renowned international practitioners who all specialise in personal and/or political applications of clowning. Join us to put your questions and take part in a hearty discussion.

- Rachel Cain (Sacred Clown healer, Spain)
- Faith Tingle-Bartoli (clown performer & Giggle Doctor, UK)
- Hilary Ramsden (Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army, UK / Greece)
- Sabine Choucair (Clown Me In Beirut)

Clowns have long-since left the circus ring and spilled out into many different environments. These days you’ll find clowns in hospitals offering comfort and release to poorly children and their families you’ll find them in areas of recovery from war and natural disaster offering laughter and play you’ll find them in dementia care settings offering gentle connection and you’ll find them on the streets protesting.

Clowns appear throughout history and across cultures as the fool the buffoon the idiot that speaks truth to power. It is from this unique position in society that the clown can critique and disrupt the status quo. The form allows us to explore political social and environmental issues through play parody and humour while releasing subversive powers within each individual.

* The Online Clown Academy was created by Bristol-based clown teachers Holly Stoppit and Robyn Hambrook during the coronavirus pandemic. Holly is originally from a circus and street theatre background and has since trained as a dramatherapist she specialises in clowning for adult mental health. Robyn is a physical theatre performer community circus practitioner and leader of the Bristol Rebel Clowns.

Full programme
Five sessions over three days to help you explore the personal & political applications of clowning.
All sessions are held on Zoom allowing attendance from anywhere in the world. Booking essential for all sessions.

Friday 6 November 8-9.30pm
★ The Personal & Political Clown Cabaret
Free / donations welcomed
A showcase of international clowns nurtured by Holly Stoppit & Robyn Hambrook to perform nuggets of clown theatre created from their personal material and / or with political intent.

Saturday 7 November 3-5.30pm
★ Workshop: What Can Your Clown Do For You?
£20-£60 (pay what you can)
A practical investigation of how clowning can help you in times of crisis with clown teacher facilitator and drama therapist Holly Stoppit.

Saturday 7 November 7.30-9pm
★ Panel Discussion: Clowns in Crisis
Free / donations welcomed
Holly & Robyn will be joined by our amazing international panel of practitioners who all specialise in personal and/or political applications of clowning. Join us to put your questions and take part in a hearty discussion.

Sunday 8 November 2.30-5pm
★ Co-lab: What Can Your Clown Do For The World?
£20-£60 (pay what you can)
In this exciting co-lab Robyn Hambrook is joined by Hilary Ramsden and Sabine Choucair to lead a practical exploration of the role of the clown in times of crisis.

Sunday 8 November 6.30-9pm
★ Open Space session
Free / donations welcomed
Open invite to anyone called to discuss our theme of clowning and crisis. Open space is an organic conferencing system where you set the agenda.

Entry requirements: — Read more — Read less