Dreams- Circus in One Act in Chicago (through May 17)

The Actor's Gymnasium is a think-and-do tank for physical theatre in the Chicago area. They offer classes and performances for all ages and skill levels, from children to beginner adults, and even professional level performers seeking a weekly workout. In addition to teaching, the Actor's Gymnasium also produces shows that feature physical theatre (and their students!)

The show that they are creating this time is entitled DREAM, and it is based on a number of original dreams and pieces created by students of the Actor's Gymnasium. The dream sequences include stuffed animals and dolls coming to life, being caught in your underwear and a knock on the door with nobody there. All the acts are original pieces developed by the cast. Among the acts include trapeze, unicyclists, clowns, contortionists, and a host of other circus and physical theatre acts.

The circus features the Actors Gymnasium's Elite Teen Circus Ensemble and Lauren Hirte from the Lookingglass Theatre Company, along with a couple of Dell'arte alum Paul Lopez and Will Howard. It also will debut original music by Greg Hirte.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

The show will be performed at the Noyes Cultural Center, 927 Noyes in Evanston, a northern suburb of Chicago. For tickets or details, call (847) 328-2795 or visit www.actorsgymnasium.com.

You can also read an article about the show in the Chicago Sun Times

Big shoes can be dangerous!

This article from the UK Telegraph is pretty crazy. If people stopped doing dangerous stuff, there'd really be no point to a circus, y'know? Who wants to see a guy step into a ring of docile cows? Or brave the rope on the ground?

Clown cannot wear giant shoes due to health and safety

A clown has been told he cannot wear his giant comedy shoes due to health and safety.

By Chris Irvine

Last Updated: 9:14AM BST 23 Apr 2009

Valerik Kashkin, a clown in the Moscow State Circus, was performing in Liverpool's Sefton Park last Saturday when he fell from a three metre high slack wire, injuring his foot.

Although he continued to perform for the rest of the show, when he went to hospital later that evening, he was told he had broken the metatarsal bone in his left foot.

When he returned to the circus he was told by management he could no longer wear the size-18 shoes because they compromised his health and safety.

Mr Kashkin features in the circus' reworking of the Rasputin tale, The Monk's Dream.

His routine includes dressing himself whilst walking on a wire, dress himself within a hoop of fire, and playing a drum-kit, trumpet and double-bass all at the same time.

But he is now worried performing in his regular sized footwear will lose impact on the audience.

Mr Kashkin, 40, from Temruk, Russia, said: "The shoes are an important part of my costume, and I was disappointed to be told I couldn't do this part of my act.

"I feel fine, and think I could do it in the shoes – the impact might be lost on the audience now."

Rejecting that it was a case of health and safety gone mad, Larry Dewitt, Health and Safety adviser to the circus said: "I'm not a believer in political correctness, or doing things for the sake of doing it however.

"You have to take a common-sense approach with these things – if it's stupid, don't do it."

Paul Archer, General Manager for the Moscow State Circus, said: "I think it will definitely detract from the visual aspect of the performance.

"It's very important because there's a language barrier to the whole performance, as it's in Russian."

He added: "But we live in a litigation world, and I guess we just have to follow through these procedures.

"It's a real balancing act."

CLOWNALLEY SITE DOWN.

Perhaps some of you have noticed that one of the best clown sites-- Pat Cashin's Clownalley.net, has suddenly gone away.

To be more accurate, the website is still there-- but all of the archives are gone

It's not by design-- sadly, Pat Cashin, who has been working tirelessly on the site for the last three years, and had amassed easily over 3000 digital photographs, videos, and other ephemera about circus clowns throughout history, had an incident where he in error deleted his blog. So far Blogger (a Google-owned company where Pat did his amassing) has not responded to his pleas to restore his blog from the backup tape.

This is a huge tragedy-- clownalley.net was a great service to clowns and clown historians across the world.

In their defense, Blogger is a free service, and people are supposed to use it at their own risk, and they do provide a backup or export capability, but sadly Pat never used it. (this blog also uses blogger, and I do backup on a semi-regular basis (although I'll be doing it more often)

There is still a chance that Blogger will respond to Pat's pleas.

Cross your fingers, and hope for the best (and if you know anyone at tech support for blogger at google, maybe you could put in a good word or two?)

And in the meantime, let's hope that despite this tragedy, Pat will continue to work his special magic to make clown geeks like us happy.

Doing the math of being a clown.

a Princeton University math major who has also been studying clowning.

Here's a story from Princeton about a double major in math and theatre that is creating a one-man clown show. Or as he prefers to say a one-man show about a clown that is not a clown show .

(Thanks to Robin Izzo Scott, high school classmate, Facebook friend, and Princeton faculty/staff member for the heads up)

The student studied with Pig Iron Theatre Company of Philadelphia last year, and is creating a theatrical clown show as his senior thesis. (His math thesis involves creating a new version of set theory)

After graduation, he goes back to work for Pig Iron.

I've known a number of math/science/geek guys that have ended up as clowns. (I guess I'm kind of one of them-- I was captain of the math team in high school, and our team won the state championships all three years I was involved!) And one of the circuses that I was intimately involved with was produced by a guy from Swarthmore, and featured a cast that was mostly Ivy League grads, including Penn, Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, and some other places like MIT, RISD, and Stanford.

Most of the math guys who are clowns I know enter through the juggling or magic world.

Anyway, here's the article in full (in case Princeton pulls the plug on it)

If you are a math/science/nerd clown guy, tell us about it in the comments!

Following his muse to create an unconventional clown

Posted April 22, 2009; 06:23 p.m. by Jennifer Greenstein Altmann
From the April 20, 2009, Princeton Weekly Bulletin

Senior Sam Zetumer likes to work in opposing realms.

He is a math major who is earning a certificate in theater and dance. He scribbles math equations on the chalkboard while waiting for rehearsals to begin. He currently is completing two senior theses: one on set theory, and one on clowning.

Zetumer enjoys immersing himself in two such different disciplines. Math requires him to "shut down external awareness," he said, while theater asks "that I exist in this communal space." Alternating from one to the other is "like going 60 and then going in reverse," he explained.

Beginning Friday, April 24, Zetumer will perform his senior thesis production, titled "Good Winks Here," a one-man show about a clown that is not a clown show — no juggling and no gags.

"It's about a weird human being who's struggling to find out how his world works and failing very badly at it," Zetumer said. "It's a style of clowning that's all about vulnerability."
Zetumer with umbrella

Zetumer said his show is "about a weird human being who's struggling to find out how his world works and failing very badly at it. It's a style of clowning that's all about vulnerability."

"Sam's doing something very brave here — creating his own material and going out there, totally alone, to share his deep interest in clown work with an audience," said Tim Vasen, a lecturer in theater and dance and the Lewis Center for the Arts who is one of Zetumer's thesis advisers. "What he's doing is, first of all, funny, and also sometimes haunting, like the best clowns in the Bill Irwin/Charlie Chaplin/Buster Keaton tradition always are."

Vasen sees a common thread in Zetumer's twin pursuits.

"He's a systems nut — be it advanced math or physical technique," he said. "Clown work is also a system, and what Sam's doing in his rehearsals is playing with that system, testing it against the lights and chairs and umbrellas and floors and walls, almost like scientific research."

Zetumer studied physical comedy last summer when he took courses on clowning technique offered by the Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia. The company describes itself as a dance-clown-theater ensemble that seeks to break the boundaries of dance, drama, clowning, puppetry, music and text. His summer with the troupe was supported by the Lewis Center's Alex Adam '07 Award, which Zetumer won last year. The award funds summer projects that lead to the creation of an original work of art.

Zetumer first worked with members of Pig Iron during his freshman year, when they taught a physical theater class at Princeton that included clowning. After graduation Zetumer will move to Philadelphia to work for Pig Iron as an assistant stage manager.

A native of San Diego, Zetumer was drawn to Princeton because of the University's strengths in math and theater. For his other thesis, Zetumer is constructing a new version of set theory, which is an important foundational system for mathematics.

His adviser, Professor Edward Nelson, described Zetumer as "fiercely independent. He works hard on his own to resolve problems without asking for help."

During his time at Princeton, Zetumer has appeared in several theatrical productions, portraying Prince Shuisky in Alexander Pushkin's play "Boris Godunov" and performing in "The Winter's Tale," "All My Sons" and "Romeo and Juliet." But for Zetumer, "Good Winks Here" promises to be his most memorable role.

The piece "is serious work, but it's funny and touching," said Vasen, who described Zetumer as "extremely creative" and unconstrained. "Sam has always followed his own muse."

UP and cLOWN: (Jim Moore Clown Photographic exhibit) starts May 15 (NY)

UP and CLOWN: Photographic Cacophony of Eccentric Performers

For the last 30 years, Jim Moore has been photographing all kinds of clowns, mimes, and eccentric performers. On May 15 the SB Digital Gallery will be hosting an exhibit of Jim's photographs. The exhibit will feature over 300 shots, including shows of the NY Downtown Clown Revue, where Jim is the photographer in residence.

Mr. Moore was a mime street performer during the 70’s and 80’s, he is particularly adept at capturing precise and striking moments of revelry and performance, using his insider's eye. For the last 30 years Jim has been in, on and behind the scenes at venues such as The Big Apple Circus, Bottom Line, Dixon Place and The New York Downtown Clown Revue. His diverse range of photographs include magicians, clowns, puppeteers, mimes, ventriloquists, performance artists, sword swallowers, tightrope walkers, and high wire walkers, including Philip Petit, star of last year's documentary hit Man on Wire, in which many of Jim's photographs were used.

Some of the people featured in this current exhibit are: Eric Bogosian, Paul Zaloom, Marcel Marceau, world famous juggler Francis Brunn, world famous magician Slydini, world renown clown Joel Jeske, world renown clown Gardi Hutter, and sword swallower Joey Colon, along with many others.

The show opens on Friday May 15th at SB Digital Gallery 125 East 4th St., from 6 to 9pm. Refreshments will be served. There are 300 photographs being presented, and they will be projected onto four large high definition monitors and a digital projector.
You can call the gallery for more info at 212-979-7239

For more information about Jim's work, visit his website

http://www.moorepics.com

Some images of the upcoming exhibit are below.

	Ctibor Turba
	Ambrose Martel
	Joel Jeske
	McCormack & Parenti
	Paul Zaloom

Opening Weekend! CRACKED ICE at PS122

Don't miss the world premiere of: "CRACKED ICE or THE JEWELS OF THE FORBIDDEN SKATES!" A new play by Jennifer Miller with additional text by Deb Margolin In this glittering theatrical extravaganza, the infamous juggling duo, The Liberty Sisters, have been fleeced by an evil ponzi schemer. Sybil and Statua Liberty embark on a mad-cap tour of revenge...but they aren't the only ones after the greedy crook. Mistaken identities, missed opportunities, star crossed lovers and variety hall numbers all combine to bring East Village high camp back home. It's tragedy, it's farce, it's mystery, it's mayhem...it's "CRACKED ICE or JEWELS OF THE FORBIDDEN SKATES!!" April 25-May 10 Performance Space 122 -- First Avenue and 9th Street, NYC Wed-Sun at 8pm With additional late show, Sat, May 9 at 11pm. Special performance to benefit Circus AMOK! on Sunday, May 3 at 8pm. Starring: Jennifer Miller, Ashley Brockington, Tanya Gagne, Sally May, Adrienne Truscott, Carlton Ward, and Rae C. Wright. Music by Kenny Mellman. Design by Jonathan Berger. Set Paintings by Mila Geisler. Choreography by Faye Driscoll. Prop Design by Jesse Proia. With additional text for Bernie Madoff by Deb Margolin. Special surprise guest artists each night, including Scott Heron, Jennifer Monson, Novice Theory, Jenny Romaine, and many more! CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO REGULAR PERFORMANCES: Use code "FF12" to buy single tickets for only $12 Use code "FF241" to buy two or more tickets for only $10 each!!! (2 for $20, 5 for $50, and so on.) TICKETS FOR BENEFIT PERFORMANCE: Benefit performance tickets are ONLY AVAILABLE at the Circus AMOK! website. Benefit tickets are $50, $75 or $100 and include a post-show reception with the cast and creative team, as well as exclusive AMOK schwag! "Cracked Ice" tickets are regularly $20. Obligatory Fine print: discounts based on limited supply; blackout dates may apply; may not be combined with other offers or applied to previous sales; may be discontinued at any time so book now and save!

Clown Improvisation: White Noise (NY, April 23-25)

CLOWN IMPROVISATION, WHITE NOISE!

Theaterlab presents
Jef Johnson – White Noise
Friday, April 17, 2009 through Saturday, April 25, 2009

A Multimedia Clown Experience

Length: 1 hr 10 mins
Intermission: None
Seating: General Admission
You choose your seats when you get to the theater.

Featuring Jef Johnson, renowned principal clown of Slava's Snowshow in a solo performance. Live Sound by Keith Rubenstein, Live Visuals by Brian A. Berhard.



WHITE NOISE is a real time improvisation of sound, video and clown play. Exactly what you will see is unknown until it happens. Each performance will be a unique experience.




Running for 3 more shows- APRIL 23,24,25

ONLY at THEATER LAB in NYC

Click here for tix info:
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=JEF7

or call for reservations: 212-929-2545

Click here for the Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=67291669826&ref=nf

Golden Nose Award Winners

I attended the Third Annual New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards last night.

This now annual event was a lot of fun-- not because of the awards (although it's great to see deserving people get awards) but because of the community that has been created/nurtured by founders of New York Downtown Clown Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe. It's great to see all of these really funny talented people all in a room together. It's even bettter to have a drink with them before (and after the show)


This year's award ceremonies were a little different-- there were only two People's choice awards (that got voted on) and three number of honorary awards. The nose awards were designed by ProKnows

HONORARY AWARDS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN CLOWNING
Hovey Burgess got a lifetime achievement award. Hovey, who is truly one of the instrumental early instructors of circus and clown, has been a constant presence in the NY Downtown Clown Scene. As one of the presenters noted-- not only does he go everywhere, sees every show, but everybody likes him. He's a tireless advocate for circus and clowning, and a great circus historian and archivist to boot.

Wearing a formal suit and a very large tie (not shown here) He told a very funny story about John Ringling North, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, and Lady Godiva which ended up crediting LaGuardia for the development of pasties and a G string (he was the mayor that raided Minsky's Burlesque) He also read the famous "But Dr. I am Pagliacci" joke from Watchmen in his best Rorschach voice. (It's the old famous joke--a man goes to the doctor, who checks him out and says "There's nothing wrong with you. There's a famous clown Pagliacci in town-- go see the show, and he'll make you feel better." To which the man replies in tears "But Doctor-- I am Pagliacci!")

CLOWN ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:
Clowns Without Borders USA received a Clown Organization of the Year award for their work bringing laughter and clowns to strife ridden places. I've featured them on this site a number of times. Deven Sissler, who had just come back from Haiti, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. For more information on the great work they do, visit http://www.clownswithoutborders.org



CLOWNS OF THE YEAR:
Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley of the NY Goofs Received the Clowns of the Year award for their dedication and enthusiasm for clown arts. They've been teaching clowning in NY for over 10 years, and though they are now based in Dallas, they are also truly integral members of the NY Downtown Clown Scene. For more information about their work, visit http://www.nygoofs.com

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

Audience Choice Best Clown Act
WINNER-- Musique, by Joel Jeske, Mike Richter, and Christopher Lueck
OTHER NOMINEES:
Eccentric Dance and Hat Act, by Spencer Novich
Kill Me Loudly: A Clown Noir, by FOOLS ON FIRE (Butt Kapinski, Chris Manley, ChrisRoberti and Jeff Seal, Dir. Eric Davis)
The Pajama Men, by Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez

Audience Choice Best Clown Character:
WINNER: Spencer Novich
OTHER NOMINEES:
Emily Carragher
Nina Levine
Tweedy

Tim Conway on the Carol Burnett Show

One of the great television clowns that you don't hear much about anymore, but was a genius at physical comedy, esp. with obstacles.

I was alerted to George Fuller and Adrian Danzig, and nearly died laughing when I saw it.
(as did Harvey Korman, Conway's often broken up partner)

Conway is so matter of fact, but explores the limitations of his obstacle so brilliantly that whatever he does you both don't expect, and at the same time could completely see it coming.

Well worth watching

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!

May USArtists International Deadline Approaching!

USArtists International has recently expanded its aesthetic and geographic parameters and now includes support for American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo artists invited to perform at significant international festivals anywhere in the world outside the United States and its territories. The application deadline for the next grant round of the program will be on Monday, May 4, 2009 for projects taking place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. For a copy of program guidelines and application click here. Questions about USArtists International should be directed to Nicole Russ, at nicole@midatlanticarts.org or via telephone at 410.539.6656 x120. Contact Them email: karen@midatlanticarts.org web: http://www.midatlanticarts.org

Fools on Fire Cabaret April 18

Dead Herring and Fools on Fire Present a Benefit Cabaret

141 South 5th Street, 1E
Brooklyn NY 11211

Saturday April 18th
Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30
$10 (includes 1 free drink)

Good Food and Drink!

Lineup:

ZeroBoy
www.zeroboy.com
'Coney Island of the Mind' piece. Follow along as Zero Boy takes his nephew and the audience on a magical cartoon like audio tour of coney island past, present and future
The Lady's Circus
Static Trapeze
http://www.ladycircus.com
Mike Dobson
Balloon Bongo Drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-nBRlZ61AA
http://www.mikedobsonmusic.com/live/
Spencer Novich and Brett Alters, Clown Duo:
http://brettalters.com/
http://www.youtube.com/Snovich1
Mitchell "The Human Jukebox" Yoshida
For a dollar, he'll play on his accordion your request of ANY pop song EVER.
Sapphire Jones
www.myspace.com/worldfamoussapphirejones
Comedic Burlesque
And your hosts Jeff and Buttons
youtube.com/jeffseal
http://newexcitementcomedy.com/