Clowning: Play, Presence, and the Poetry of the Ridiculous

No experience required.

Step into the world of clown through the lens of physical theatre. This class invites participants of all backgrounds to explore their playful, spontaneous, and authentic selves. Rooted in movement, improvisation, and le jeu (the game of performance), we’ll awaken the body’s expressive potential and cultivate a heightened sense of presence.

Through ensemble play, rhythm, and a deep investigation of timing and vulnerability, students will develop their clown characters organically—learning not to be funny, but to reveal what is already human and hilariously flawed. Guided by the belief in the body as the primary storyteller, we’ll embrace failure, listen to the audience, and celebrate the poetry of the ridiculous.

This is a space to take risks, build confidence, and rediscover joy through physical exploration. Be ready to move, laugh, and surprise yourself.

Classes every Wednesday, August 20th - September 24th from 7:00-9:00pm.

The course will culminate in an optional student show on Saturday, October 4th at 12:30pm.

Please read our and before signing up for a class or workshop.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTE:If you have questions, need assistance, or require any accommodations, please email us at [email protected].

INSTRUCTOR: Katie Rebich

Katie Rebich (they/she/he) is a clown, teacher, and physical theater artist based in Durham, NC. Her work is rooted in contemporary clowning, where play, presence, and vulnerability drive the connection between performer and audience. She trained formally at Aloft Circus Arts in Chicago, IL, where she was part of the Full-Time Training Program, majoring in rope ladder (a self-designed apparatus) and minoring in stilt dance.

Katie has studied clown intensively, with foundational training from Dody DiSanto of The Center for Movement Theatre (Washington, D.C.) and Giovanni Fusetti of Helikos (Padua, Italy). Her approach to clown blends physical precision with emotional openness, drawing from Lecoq-based pedagogy and an ever-evolving exploration of the absurd.

Whether onstage or in the classroom, Katie is passionate about creating spaces where play, failure, and joy are celebrated.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

American Underground, 201 W Main St, Durham, United States