Josh Matthews.
Beyond The
Fourth Wall
with Josh Matthews
Introduction to interactive performance, audience participation within the realm of Clown: The clown's relationship to the audience is at the heart of what makes this theatrical style vibrant and powerful. Audience participation and interaction is rarely focused on in clown training and this element of performance is so valued when well done. Oftentimes audience engagement is under rehearsed because it is hard to simulate. In this workshop we will explore techniques, methodology and practical skills of working with audience participants, creating interactive characters and creating effective gags, games and bits that use the audience as partners in your performance.
Whether you are looking to bolster your strolling characters or get comfortable working with an audience participant in an act/show this introductory workshop will help in finding connection and laughter while working in the audience.
Dates: August 10th-14th.
Schedule & Classes
Roughly 30 hours of instruction time, plus a few hours for rehearsal outside of class. A sample day runs from 9am–5:30pm with a 90 minute lunch. Students are encouraged to spend free time exploring the forests, coasts, rivers and mountains of Humboldt County or attending some of the Baduwa’t Festival.
Who Should Apply?
18-80 years old, professional, semi professionals, serious students who have experience in clown and performing and want to explore audience participation through the lens of clown and interactive theater.
Fees
$527 — 15% off Early Bird Tuition (by 6/22/26)
$620 — Regular Tuition
Faculty
Josh Matthews (They/He) is a teacher, actor, and clown/circus performer. He has traveled around the world with his theater company, Under the Table, performing original physical comedies. Josh Has performed at The Lincoln Center (NYC), The Big Apple Circus (NYC) and Third Rail Projects (NYC) to name a few companies. Josh has been a teaching artist and guest lecturer for the past 25 years, some of the organizations Josh has worked with have been the New Victory Theater, Word For Word theater company, American Conservatory Theater, Occidental College, Sarah Lawrence College, and New York University. Currently Josh serves as a lead clown and artistic director for Medical Clown Project medicalclownproject.org.
REFUND POLICY
This policy is in place to ensure our ability to continue offering high-quality programs to performers near and far. Registered students faced with the unfortunate need to withdraw from a course for any reason may request a refund of tuition paid based on the following timeline:
Early Withdrawal (45+ days out): Requests made more than 45 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee.
Standard Withdrawal (44–15 days out): Requests made between 44 and 15 days before the course start date are eligible for a 50% refund of the tuition paid.
Final Deadline (14 days or less): No refunds will be granted within 14 days of the start date or once the course has commenced.
All refund requests must be submitted via email or in writing to the program administrator. schooladmin@dellarte.com
Exceptions may be made for documented medical emergencies or visa denials at the discretion of the School Director. In these cases, we may offer a tuition credit for a future intensive instead of a cash refund.
A note about our Ticketing Service Provider: Zeffy
We use Zeffy because it is entirely free for organizers and patrons, meaning more money directly supports the artists. Zeffy asks for a contribution towards credit card processing fees. They automatically suggest a 17% fee, but you can select "other" and enter any amount, or none at all.