About this Event
Discover the hidden logic of the stage and unlock your ultimate comedic presence.
Led by an international physical theater master, 10-year star of Cirque du Soleil, and creator of his own acclaimed original solo act, Misha Usov leads this intensive 3-day workshop is designed for actors, dancers, comedians, and performers of all disciplines who want to break their physical habits, master audience connection, and find total freedom on stage.
Why The Invisible Clown?
Because true improvisation is impossible without it. Before you can genuinely create on stage, you must step out of your everyday identity, strip away your mental habits, and enter the sacred state of the Invisible Clown. This unique method teaches you how to drop your social defense mechanisms, allowing brilliant, unpredictable comedy to flow through you naturally.
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The 3-Day Intensive Program (9 Hours of Deep Practice):
DAY ONE: Tuesday, 7/21: 9:30am-12:30pm
The Power of Timing (The Clock of Comedy)
In comedy, being funny is an exact science. If you react a second too early—it’s not funny. A second too late—the magic is gone. This day is dedicated entirely to mastering the absolute precision of timing. You will learn how to detect the exact, microscopic moment to deliver a movement, a look, or a reaction to trigger explosive, live laughter.
DAY TWO: Wednesday, 7/22 9:30am-12:30pm
Character Archetypes (From Greek Mysteries to Commedia dell'Arte)
We will dive deep into physical expression by exploring the 7 core body types rooted in ancient Greek mysteries and their historical connection to the archetypes of Commedia dell'Arte. You will discover how shifts in body weight, centers of balance, and physical structures instantly unlock rich, complex, and deeply human comedic characters.
DAY THREE: Thursday, 7/23 9:30am-12:30pm
The State of the Invisible Clown (Where True Improvisation Lives)
What is this state? Where does it come from, how do you attain it, and how do you "earn" it through physical practice? On this final day, we explore the precise boundary between standard acting techniques and the transcendental state of the Invisible Clown. This is the exact space where your ego disappears, your body takes over, and absolute, genius improvisation becomes possible.
Every participant will get a special "Meet & Greet" opportunity and personal professional feedback based on The Invisible Clown methodology.*
Cost: $325 for the full three days
Limited spots available to ensure individual attention for every performer.
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QUOTES ABOUT MISHA USOV:
"Smartly funny." — The New York Times
"Mikhail Usov's fishing boat idyll is a comic gem." — San Francisco Chronicle
"One of the world's best clowns." — Stuttgarter Nachrichten
"Ingenious comedy." — Frankfurter Allgemeine
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS & AWARDS:
- 10-year Star of Cirque du Soleil (Created the iconic "Fisherman" character for the touring show 'Totem').
- Featured on The Tonight Show (USA), BBC (London), and Le Plus Grand Cabaret Du Monde (France).
- Gold Medal Winner at the International Clown Festival (Ostend, Belgium).
- Two-time Silver Medal Winner at the International Circus Festival (Saint-Paul-Les-Dax, France).
- Author of the acclaimed book "The Invisible Clown" and founder of the Invisible Clown Institute.
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Please be advised:
The Newport Theater is up a flight of stairs with no elevator, but access to a Genesis portable mobile stairlift (rated up to 400 pounds) is available. Please email [email protected] advance of your arrival to coordinate entry and sign a waiver (required by our landlord).
There are four single-stall non-gendered restrooms available onsite.
All entrants must comply with the Newport Safety Policy
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Newport Theater, 956 West Newport Avenue, Chicago, United States
USD 325.00
