This post covers the benefits of clown classes, clowning techniques, how to choose the right class for you, and particular studios you’ll want to check out.

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It’s show time!

Reasons to Take a Clowning Class in NYC (or Anywhere)

Beyond learning how to make people laugh, clowning classes are a safe and encouraging space for expression and creativity.

Through clowning, you’ll…

1. Become a better communicator. As a clown, your ability to connect with your audience relies heavily on effective communication. Through improv exercises and character development, you’ll learn non-verbal ways of engaging with others.
2. Develop personal growth and self-confidence. Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing your inner clown can be a transformative experience. Let go of those inhibitions and embrace vulnerability!
3. Relieve stress. Laughter has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall well-being. By immersing yourself in the world of clowning, you’ll bring joy to others and experience the positive effects firsthand.
4. Open doors to a supportive community who share your passion for laughter and performance. Building relationships with students and instructors is priceless and can pave the way for future support and collaborations.
5. Expand your horizons. Each artist-instructor has a different way of teaching. Sometimes the hardest — and most exciting — part of a clown class is feeling like a beginner (whether you’re new to clowning or a mirthful master).

Are you new to clowning? The next sections should help you understand the art form and identify the type of class that’s right for you.

Clowning Techniques that Tickle Funny Bones

Clowning techniques cover a range of fun skills like making stuff up on the spot, using your body to get a laugh, and creating unique clown characters!

Improvisation is the secret sauce of clowning. It’s all about thinking on your feet, being spontaneous, and finding the funny in unexpected situations. Clowning classes will help you trust your instincts and dive headfirst into the world of hilarious moments.

Physical comedy tells a story with your body. From pratfalls and slapstick to intricate movements and acrobatics, it’s all about perfect timing and control.

Clown character development is where the real fun begins. It’s about crafting your clown persona that’s a perfect match for your unique comedic style and personality. Imagine creating a look, nailing quirky mannerisms, and finding your clown’s voice.

Hunting for Hilarious: Your NYC Clown Class Quest

With the abundance of clowning classes available in NYC, you may feel overwhelmed. Here are a few questions to ask yourself. And, really, these apply to wherever you’re taking a class.

• Are you looking for an intensive or for a place for ongoing practice?
• Are you looking for a teacher who will help you build on your existing style, or who is going to shake it up with something completely different?
• Do you have a goal for a desired outcome? This could be anything from developing your existing act to getting new ideas for performing or teaching. 

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You’ll also want to consider

• Your experience level. Are you looking to dip your toe into the world of clowning, or are you seeking to refine your skills? 
• Instructors and their backgrounds. Look for instructors with extensive experience in a style that resonates with you. Student reviews give insight into the instructor’s teaching methods and the overall quality of the class.
• Class size and the atmosphere of the studio. Do you thrive in larger groups with a bustling energy or prefer smaller, more intimate settings? To peek behind the curtain, swing by the studio for a trial class. It’s your chance to get a feel for the place and see if it’s a clown-tastic fit for you!

Juggle these considerations and you’ll find a clowning class that meets your needs and delivers a delightful experience.

From Jitters to Jollies: What Happens in Clown Class?

Entering a clowning class for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, knowing what to expect can bring ease to your experience.

Classes typically begin with icebreaker activities and warm-up exercises to help you loosen up and get into the clowning mindset. Picture physical warm-ups, vocal exercises, and improv games designed to get your creative juices flowing.

As the class progresses, you might explore different clown archetypes, learn how to develop a clown character, or practice physical comedy routines. The instructors will guide you through each step, providing feedback and encouragement along the way.

Most clowning classes also involve group activities and collaborations, which build relationships and provide opportunities for learning and feedback.

In addition to in-class activities, you may also participate in clowning performances or showcases. These events allow you to showcase your progress and gain real-world performance experience. They also offer the opportunity to connect with the larger clowning community.

Finding Your Clown Tribe: NYC’s Clown Class Destinations

If you’re an aspiring clown in (or arriving to) NYC, the city offers a wealth of resources to support your journey. From specialized clowning schools to comedy workshops, NYC has everything you need to take your clowning skills to new heights.

At Clowns Without Borders (CWB), we LOVE  Clown Gym for their ongoing Tuesday night drop-ins, and intensives, such as “Building an Act” and “Building a Character.” Our own Naomi Shafer has taught classes here and many CWB Artists have trained here.

Is Clown Gym a gym?

Why, yes! Just like athletes need weight training, clowns need clown training! Clown Gym is an awesome place to keep your silly juices flowing. They invite you to get out of your head and into your body!

You love to laugh — and you know how much laughter has helped you through difficult moments.

You can give the gift of laughter to a child in crisis every month with a donation of just $11 monthly.

Other good NYC clowning class options include: 

• The People’s Improv Theater (PIT)
  • Improv classes
  • Drop-in classes
  • Youth classes
  • Leveled classes
• Brooklyn Comedy Collective (BCC)
  • Drop-in classes
  • Full-length classes
  • Improv classes
  • Leveled classes
• Terry Knickerbocker Studio
  • Leveled clowning classes
  • Acting intensives
  • Voice intensives
  • Movement intensives
• The Barrow Group
  • Theatrical clown classes
  • Weekend clowning workshops
  • Leveled acting classes
• The Pandemonium Studio
  • Clown for All Weekends
  • Drop-in classes
  • Clown “Warm-Ups”

Do you know another great place to take clowning classes in New York City? Please let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for clown schools outside of NYC, be sure to check out our post: Top Clown Schools in the US.

Conclusion

What are you waiting for? Take that leap and pursue your passion for clowning!

NYC offers a treasure trove of resources for aspiring clowns. With each class, you’ll gain new insights and refine your skills — and laugh a lot along the way!

Happy clowning!

There is no exhaustion like the one that comes at the end of a long day hard at work in clown training. Clowning has a particular way of exercising performers both physically and emotionally because in many ways it is both an art and sport.

You might not immediately think of clowns at athletes, but traditionally circus clowns would often perform alongside the acrobats in the troupe, executing some of the same skills but with a unique twist that only a clown can bring. Clowning is a very physical form of theatre and requires a high level of physical dexterity, awareness, and control. Additionally, the long hours and fast-paced schedule of a clowning career (particularly in the circus), require stamina and strength. Modern clown training is easily comparable to physical theatre or modern dance, both practices that utilize body movement to tell a story or convey a mood, and may even use similar exercises, games, and movement-improvisational work. The parallels between clown and dance have not gone unnoticed. Charlie Chaplin was once called “the greatest ballet dancer that ever lived” when he received his honorary Oscar. The ability to communicate a story with one’s body requires nuanced control of your body and facial muscles. Physical awareness and expressiveness take time, sweat, and practice. For some, that can mean a rigorous regiment of daily training to gain strength and physical ability. Famous Russian ballet dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov once said, “Get used to pain. It’s part of a dancer’s life.”

One way that clowning differs from most dance is what Clown Theorist Jacques LeCoq called “the flop” or the moment the clown fails. If the clown is attempting an acrobatic stunt or a beautifully executed dance move, the flop often constitutes a fall or intentional use of incorrect form to complete an intricate or dangerous physical task. Falling and failing are fundamental parts of clowning, and although they appear to be chaos, they are approached very carefully. Just as in the principles of stage combat or stunt work, when falling, it is important to be in total control before you can safely appear to be out of control. Falling can take practice and time to perfect. A long day of falling is sure to leave a clown-in-training tired and sporting a new bruise or two.

In an era of more subtle, theatrical clowning gaining in prominence, not all clown routines are equally physically performative and taxing. However, clowning also takes a high level of emotional energy. Many teachers continue to develop LeCoq’s clown theories of finding each performer’s personal clown, following creative impulse, and staying strongly connected to an audience using the partial mask of a clown nose to both hide and reveal the performer who wears it. This methodology can leave the performer feeling very personally vulnerable, meanwhile staying connected to the audience can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Many training programs emphasize honesty in clowning. Even when the clowning experience is not traumatic, being a proxy for a whole audience and honestly, openly, and physically expressing one’s experience can be exhausting.

At the end of a long day, a clown-in-training may feel like they have run a marathon, fallen off a chair, and attended a particularly moving therapy session. Though this may be exhausting, the feeling of using your whole body and emotional range, particularly when it is working towards the goal of laughter and joy, is particularly satisfying.

It is the personal satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and cathartic release of emotion that are hallmarks of the workshops facilitated by Clowns Without Borders performers. Whether you are attending a workshop like “Find Your Funny” at the Omega Institute in New York, or are a refugee living in a refugee camp for the indefinite long-term, the workshop principles remain the same. People are encouraged to learn new physical skills. They are encouraged to build community with others through simple moments of joy that build into exuberant laughter. It’s like remembering a great secret you once forgot: That people can and do stay connected when bonds are formed in laughter.