June 14 - 19, 2026

Clown Create

Instructors: Michelle Matlock, Julie Douglas

Clown Create is for those students who have some clowning experience and want to go deeper into the study by creating pieces in duos and trios. Do you have material you want to work on? Are you looking for more opportunities to create with other clowns? Use your ability to embrace the unknown, the vulnerable, and the ridiculous in order to create longer bits of clown performance. This is a generative intensive that will culminate in a showing in the Carlo Theatre for the final teacher, the audience. Be prepared to create and play ferociously! Participants can track directly from the Clown Core into Clown Create.

Who Should Apply

This intensive is designed to build upon the fundamentals by creating and refining clown acts.

Schedule & Classes

Roughly 36 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.

“I learned more than I could have imagined. Take risks. Follow the fear. Make bold choices. Acknowledge failure. On and on... more importantly, Dell’Arte is a place to come to learn, expand, play, grow and be supported!”

— 2024 Clown Student

A group of people wearing red clown noses and smiling for a group selfie, with some showing excited and happy expressions.

PAYMENT & LOGISTICS

  • Tuition & Fees: $760  

    20% off Early Bird (by April 5):  $608

    10% off Early Bird (by May 10):  $684

    A full payment will be required to secure your spot in the intensive. Links for all payments will be emailed to you upon acceptance.

  • Two partial scholarships are available for students of the global majority (those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color). These are for a 50% reduction of tuition. Qualifying applicants may request a partial scholarship in the admissions application.

    Other scholarships and payment plans are negotiated on a case by case basis. Please email our School Coordinator at schooladmin@dellarte.com if you have further questions before proceeding.

  • 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 in writing to the program administrator.

    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.

  • For information regarding appropriate attire, school policies, and other logistics, see our frequently asked questions page. Still have questions? Contact the School Administrator at schooladmin@dellarte.com or by phone at +1 707-502-2276.

    For information about housing options and travel, visit this page.

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