June 21–27, 2026

Intro to Healthcare Clown

Instructors: Michelle Matlock, Julie Douglas, Jeff Raz

The Clown’s great capacity for buoyancy and presence through the unknown holds great power off the performance stage as well. In this 7-day intensive, participants can investigate how to use those skills for humanitarian purposes in places of healing.  Expect a skills-based focus with exercises around presence, listening and awareness. Participants will learn about how clowns engage in various care facilities (such as nursing homes and hospitals), as well as receive instruction about practicing emotional hygiene and self-care in this work.

Who Should Apply

Previous participation in Clown Core, Clown Create, or experience in the following is required: clowning, play, drama, art or kinetic therapy, improv, teaching artistry.

Schedule & Classes

Roughly 38 Hours of instruction time over the course of 7 days, plus a few hours for engagement outside of class. The session will conclude with a site-visit of a local partner healthcare organization. A typical 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 overlapping Baduwa’t Festival in Blue Lake.

“Michelle, Julie, and Jeff all brought incredible skills to the program. They provided well-rounded insights into the profession of medical clowning. They were all supportive faculty that made this program life changing.”

— 2024 Intro to Medical Clowning student

PAYMENT & LOGISTICS

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