Unit 2 - Theatre History
Module 2: Jesters, Tricksters and Fools
Lesson 3 - Clown Character

Introduction:
The keys to becoming a good clown are simple-
• have fun
• react to situations.
• respond to impulses.
This lesson will help each actor do all three through warm-ups and activities.

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Talking Circle: What do you think of when you think of clown? Many people only think of the "fright wig" clown, at children's parties making balloon animals. The idea of clown is really about a character - child-like in some ways (though not childish), innocent, capable of making us see the humorous side of life. The clowns job is to point out truths in life. Focus on character, not physical gags.

What is a clown? first recorded bout 2270 BC in Egypt comic spirit of clowning exists in every culture ancient craft speaks to that which is human in all of us many styles of clown and may know a variety of skills as a performer, such as: juggling, magic, contortion, acrobatics, story telling, puppetry, tight rope walking, singing and clever dialogue known by their ludicrous antics, distinctive costume, and buffoonery characterized by broad, graphic humour, absurd situations and vigorous physical action

Warm Up "Baby I Love You" Stand in a circle with one person in the center as "the lover". The lover can pick anyone in the circle to try to make them laugh. They can physicalize in any way they like (without touching the other person). They must keep eye contact and say, "Baby, I love you. Will you give me a smile?" The other person, keeping eye contact and a straight face, must respond, "Baby I love you, but I just can't smile". If they smile then they take a turn in the center as the "lover".

Activities:

Activity One - "Emotions" Stand facing a partner. Decide together on 5 different emotions to be played (for example: anger, happiness, fear, surprise and sadness). Begin by one person showing an emotion, the partner is to feed off their partner's energy and react in a similar fashion. At any point, transform the emotion into a new one. The other person must follow suit. So, the emotion may move from happiness to surprise to anger to sadness to surprise to fear .... etc. Do not speak during the exercise, but make noises, sounds and gestures with each emotion.

Clowns play their emotions larger than life. They are played out to the audience. On a scale of 1 to 10 - play it at 10.

Activity Two - Journal

	Write a journal that answers the following questions: What are the challenges of being a clown? What do you find the most difficult to do? How might you help yourself prepare to clown - to get into character?
Activity Three - Red Noses You will need several clown noses for the exercises described below and a variety of costume pieces and props available for use. You may be asked to bring in their own props and costume pieces (simple things such as a hat).

• play the emotion grand, huge
• play it out front to the audience, eyes make contact with the audience
• keep it simple - what does your clown want? Why can't they get it?
• incorporate a physical element
• think about involving the audience in some way
• don't try for laughs, just play your character straight, the audience will laugh
• know the character - then use it - play the situation
• the only thing you are allowed to exaggerate in comedy is emotion - worry becomes frenzied anxiety, smugness becomes unbearable complacency, and distaste becomes anguished indignation.
• Samuel West said, "It's overcoming a larger obstacle isn't it? Like if you're John Cleese in Fawlty Towers and you want a huge panic, your intention will be to have the menu typed in 15 seconds instead of 30, and the typewriter sticks. It's real, you see."
• don't be in a rush, take your time with the scenario