About this Event
How deep are you willing to explore your most primal impulses? And once you find something that excites you, how can you use it to connect with a crowd?
Chad and Kira have completely different theatrical philosophies. But they both share the same goal. To make work that alters an audience‘s perception of reality — either through nonsense or narrative — then create a visceral shared experience.
This two-day intensive (and class show) will show students how to combine Chad and Kira’s approaches to generate unique and dynamic material. In each session, deep physical work is accompanied by live direction and notes.
We are looking for clowns from interesting and diverse backgrounds and perspectives. To be considered for enrollment, please fill out the following Google form:
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CLASS:
Saturday 10/8 from 10 AM - 2 PM
Sunday 10/9 from 10 AM - 2 PM
CLASS SHOW:
Monday 10/10 at 6 PM
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Chad Damiani is one of the pioneers of LA’s modern clown scene – where he’s been innovating approaches to devise and improvise clown work for well over a decade. Besides teaching at the Elysian, he runs and performs in CLOWN ZOO (last Saturdays) – which features an ensemble of some of the best performers in LA. He also hosts and live directs STAND UP AND CLOWN (last Mondays) – where he takes well-known stand-ups and runs them through a grueling gauntlet of silent clown work. Chad also works regularly on clown-inspired TV projects and music videos, performs various clown acts at stand-up shows (including America’s Got Talent) and freelances for the circus company Spiegelworld.
As a teacher and performer, Chad focuses on physical play, audience psychology and giving gravitas to your dumbest and most joyful impulses. His approach to the work is a reflection of his unique entertainment journey. His journey began over 25 years ago as an announcer for World Championship Wrestling – where he learned from the greatest physical storytellers in the world. He’s trained with some of the best clowns and improvisers in the world and also spent years working as a screenwriter – selling over a dozen films and TV shows to places like CBS, NBC, Sony, Fox and New Line.
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Over the past 10 years, Kira Nova has made 5 solo shows and curated a number of variety theater productions. Among which was a show she created with Michael Portnoy and Reggie Watts — “Alligators! Experimental Comedy Lab”, presented in The Netherlands and Belgium.
Nova has presented her breed of one-woman shows at such venues as MoMa PS1, MET Breuer, The Kitchen in New York; Center Pompidou in Paris, Royal Academy Theater in London, Art Basel in Basel among many. While as a comedian Nova performed in many venues around NY, which include The Box and House of Yes.
For the past 10 years, Nova has been leading workshops and teaching at many North American and European Art Academies: Columbia University, Banff Center for the Arts (Canada), among many. Since 2013 Nova works as a professor at Lunds University (Sweden).
COVID-19 POLICY: Please be aware of the following COVID-19 safety protocols, including a proof of vaccination requirement. Note that guidelines are subject to change as local, state, or federal guidance may evolve prior to the event.
- All guests must be fully vaccinated (two weeks post-second dose for Moderna or Pfizer, or two weeks after the single Johnson & Johnson dose).
- You will be required to show proof of vaccination at event check-in. Guests without the required proof of vaccination will not be permitted at the event.
- Acceptable forms of proof include: your physical vaccination card, an app that shows your vaccination status, or a picture of your vaccination card.
- Please bring photo ID matching the name on your proof of vaccination.
- Masks are not required but guests are encouraged to wear a mask when indoors, unless actively eating or drinking.
- If you or anyone within your group has or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, we ask you to please stay home to ensure the health and safety of our attendees and staff.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Elysian, 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, United States