What Every Actor Does Not Know: Clowning to Expand Theatrical Performance Horizons
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Authors
Waldman, Jennifer
Issue Date
1999
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Theater -- Miscellaneous , Theater -- Performance
Alternative Title
Abstract
Over the last few years, I have become very interested in clowning and physical theatre. This interest
deepened during my study abroad in England, and I have decided that I would like to pursue theatrical
clowning as a career. This field, although competitive, does not attract as many performers as do the more
mainstream types of theatre, such as musical theatre or drama. However, I believe that some of the
techniques used in theatrical clowning could be beneficial to performers in all types of theatre.
Through my Senior Individualized Project, I wish to discover how all actors can utilize clowning
exercises in performance, whatever the variety of theatre in which they work. In order to accomplish this, I
plan to attend the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. For one month I will
attend classes in New Vaudeville, Clowning, Circus Arts, Juggling, and possibly Movement. In addition, I
will observe a few performances at the Mad River Festival, a physical theatre festival held in Blue Lake.
After the month in Blue Lake, I will create a short performance based on what I have learned at the school.
Upon returning to Kalamazoo College, I will perform my clowning act, and possibly hold an informal
workshop (based on requests from other students) to teach Kalamazoo College theatre students what I have
learned.
I believe that this project will benefit me personally as a theatre artist, not simply because I will be
learning to create a clowning character, but also in terms of feeling comfortable in my body on stage. I
have cerebral palsy, and feel that the classes that I will be taking can assist me in my efforts to feel secure in
my movements.
I wish to be a professional clown/physical comedian upon finishing college. I believe that my project
will assist me in this goal, because at the Dell' Arte School I will be able to learn and invent clowning acts,
as well as develop a clown character. All of this will be taught by professional artists in the physical
theatre, and I believe that I shall benefit from their tutelage, not only because of their experience, but also
because they can advise me in which paths might be appropriate to take in order to begin performing.
This project will benefit other students in the theatre department through the planned performance and
"workshop", which will demonstrate to the students various clowning exercises that can be beneficial to all
performers. It is my hope that this project will also introduce a different form of theatre to students who perhaps
are unaware that clowning involves more than pies-in-the-face. I will feel that this project has succeeded if the
result is one student becoming interested in clowning.
Description
vi, 29 p.
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