Contemporary clowning

Contemporary clowning (also called modern clowning) is a school of physical comedy that emphasizes interactivity with the audience and surroundings, use of props and a level of absurdity.[1][2] While it can overlap with the classic white-face school of clowning, the term also refers to a form of experimental comedy that is considered distinct.[1][2]

In 21st century comedy, clowning exists alongside stand up, sketch comedy, improv, and slapstick.[3] It is one of the major formats at comedy festivals around the world, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[4]

Characteristics

Clowning is highly visual with an extensive use of costumes, makeup and props that are largely absent from the other popular styles of live comedy performance of improv and stand-up.[2] While many contemporary clown performers do wear makeup and costumes as part of their act, they do not generally don the “red nose” clown persona.[5]

In addition, clowning is notably less verbal than stand-up, improv or sketch with a notable use of silence as a technique.[2][6] Clowning is distinctive for its lack of a fourth wall, featuring high audience engagement.[2] Many acts can have vulgar and carnal moments, including full nudity.[7]

Clowning also emphasizes vulnerability as a way for the performer to connect with the audience, as well as the development of the performer's individual voice.[8]

Some performers have cited they were drawn to clowning because of the flexibility and lack of rules in the experimental form, in contrast to improv or sketch, which have become more rigid in format as the disciplines have matured.[8]

Schools

While traditional clown schools like École Philippe Gaulier in France have drawn students from around the world for decades, regional programs like the Lyric Hyperion, The Clown School and the Idiot Workshop have made Los Angeles a regional hub for clown education.[8]

The Los Angeles clown schools have emerged as alternatives to local comedy training centers such as the Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade, which focus more on sketch comedy and stand-up.[2] Some note that the lack of a dominant theater industry in Los Angeles, as compared to New York or London, has given clowning the freedom to more quickly in the city as it allows for more greater risk-taking.[8] The Pig Iron Theatre Company and their school have contributed to Philadelphia becoming a hub of contemporary clowning.[9]

Notable performers

Many of the top awards and nominations at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have gone to clown performances in recent years. Among the fringe winners is Natalie Palamides, who won a Total Theatre Award in 2018 with Nate: A One Man Show that was later produced for Netflix by Amy Poehler.[8]

In 2023, Julia Masli, an Estonian-born clown, was considered a breakout performer for her show ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, which featured Masli in Victorian costume asking audience members about their problems, which she then proceeded to try to solve.[10]

Many alumni of the École Philippe Gaulier have become notable actors, directors, and comedians. Alumni practicing as clowns include Masli, Zach Zucker, and Phil Burgers.[11]

Clown and performance artist Alex Tatarsky has toured their solo clown shows Sad Boys in Harpy Land, which ran at Playwrights Horizons in 2023, and Americana Psychobabble, which had stops at the Edinburgh Fringe and at Jacob's Pillow.[12][13][14] Tatarsky was included in the 2024 Whitney Biennial.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b Dieffenbacher, Joe (2021). Clown: The Physical Comedian. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 1–3. ISBN 9781350141407.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Katz, Miriam (2023-08-08). "Courtney Pauroso's one-woman sex robot clown show is a live comedy trust fall". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  3. ^ Dieffenbacher, Joe (2021). Clown: The Physical Comedian. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 4–5. ISBN 9781350141407.
  4. ^ Harms, Talaura (25 August 2023). "Playbill Pick: The Ice Hole: A Cardboard Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe". Playbill. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  5. ^ Dieffenbacher, Joe (2021). Clown: The Physical Comedian. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 4. ISBN 9781350141407.
  6. ^ Dang, Vi (27 August 2023). "Clown Bonnie He Shares the Road to Edinburgh Fringe for Her Terrible Show for Terrible People". Playbill. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  7. ^ Zinoman, Jason (2019-11-15). "Make Way for the Carnal Clowns of Stand-Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  8. ^ a b c d e Hilton, Emily (2020-12-21). ""It's Absolutely Part of My Acting All the Time": A Look Inside L.A.'s Top Clown Schools". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  9. ^ Bergen, Jane M. Von (13 September 2023). "Philadelphia is a national center for clowns. No, really". Billy Penn at WHYY. WHYY. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  10. ^ Marshall, Alex (2023-08-24). "It's 1:30 a.m., and a Clown Wants to Fix You". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  11. ^ Zinoman, Jason (18 January 2022). "The Dumbledore of Clowning". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  12. ^ Kumar, Naveen (21 November 2023). "Full Exposure? Four Solo Shows Ponder the Art of True Nature". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  13. ^ Parker, Janine (June 23, 2022). "Jacob's Pillow kicks off the 2022 season with provocative 'America(na) to Me' - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Theatre review: Americana Psychobabble". The Scotsman. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Material". whitney.org. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
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