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Social clowning Laughter work

THE NOSE TO NOSE PROGRESSION

Level 1

This level grounds clowning in presence and authenticity. It nurtures one's own unique way of being a clown, through listening and being receptive.
The simplicity and spirit of the work at this level bring many participants back year after year. By connecting to our playful spirit we develop and sustain, in ourselves and each other, the heart to be who we truly are and to trust life and ourselves. This level nurtures the inward process, and is an invitation for overcoming the fears that block us from being fully present in the "Here and Now."

Level 2

Level 2 shifts the focus towards structure and relationship. The more demanding aspects of this level come from a need to practice a responsiveness to and awareness of your partner on stage, your audience and the images, stories and characters that emerge during improvisation.

At this level, changes are introduced in the way the work is taught in order to bring greater insights into the techniques of improvisation and performance. Also new structures and themes bring greater challenges and rigour within the improvisations.

Level 3

This level III course brings a fresh new way of looking at impros by focusing on the many strategies we use for avoiding mistakes. The course gives a greater focus on theatrical and improvisational techniques and will feel very different from previous levels. For example, impros are repeated to bring actors to work in less familiar and/or comfortable areas.

Level 3 moves the work one step closer to performance.

Towards Performance

This advanced course offers an ideal opportunity to practice improvising in front of a real audience. It includes performances open to the public.

The group focuses on working through the impros again with insights and feedback gained from the previous each performance.

The course introduces the key principles of Social Clowning.

Social clowning

Social clowning borrows its techniques from the traditions of the Court Jester and the Fool.

Our guideline at this level is to free and renew the creative processes within ourselves and to explore how to bring the clown's playful irreverence at the service of our relationship with others and within institutions.

We practice:

- Mirroring social, symbolic and archetypal references
- reclaiming paradoxes of wisdom and the absurd, light and shadows
- parodying games of power and knowledge
- celebrating the heart

By holding a mirror to life, the clown frees us to laugh at distorted reflections of ourselves and our world.
By putting the human heart back at the centre of life, the clown can reclaim and celebrate its paradoxes.
By juggling with social, symbolic and archetypal references, the clown exposes truths others dare not or cannot speak out.
By parodying the games of knowledge and power, the clown reveals not only the light and the shadows of our world but also affirms and celebrates our humanity.