The Clown Core 

Instructor: Michelle Matlock


Group 1: July 24 - July 28, 2023 [FULL]
Group 2: July 31 - August 4, 2023 [FULL]

Schedule
Classes: 10am–6pm, with a 90 minute lunch break .
Creation/rehearsal time to support class learning estimated at 1-2 hours/ night

The Workshop
The Clown Core is an exploration into the essential tools used to discover the unique clown that is already inside of each participant. Michelle will lead the group through a series of exercises and games that will reignite your impulse to play, find your pleasure of being present and expressing emotion, while taking clown action. Acting exercises, improv games and clowning techniques, will be used to identify when the pleasure is gone, celebrate debacles &  triumphs, accept your own ridiculous stupidity,  develop connection with the audience and sharpen your ability to embrace the unknown in order to create something new. 

This intensive is designed to meet participants wherever they are in their clowning journey. New and experienced players are welcomed.

Tuition & Fees: $400 plus $25 processing fee
Discounts: Partial scholarships for Humboldt County residents and for BIPOC students are available at checkout.

Registration is now full for GROUPS 1 & 2.

Occasionally a spot will open up. Contact our School Adminstrator (tawny@dellarte.com) to get on the wait list.

Michelle Matlock 

 Adjunct Faculty - Clown

A performing artist, producer, teacher, director and creative coach. Michelle has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 25 years and had the honor of being the first African American person to create a main clown character for Cirque du Soleil. Michelle toured with Cirque's big top show OVO for close to 10 years. Currently Michelle resides in Washington State and is the founder of Circle Up Productions, a live entertainment and performing arts education company, a creative team member of Puget Sound Revels and recently directed Seattle’s Intiman Theater’s Starfish Project. Prior to Cirque du Soleil, Michelle spent 15 years living and working in New York City. During that time, she toured their critically acclaimed solo show The Mammy Project across North and South America and had the pleasure of working in the downtown NYC theater and circus scene, playing with Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, Circus Amok and The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Michelle grew up in Tacoma, WA., studied theater for 3 years at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. and is a Graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City.