professional course

This course offers a broad training ranging from the pleasure of play, of life, which is the driving force of Clown, to the creation of Clown numbers in the final performance. We will work through the various stages of the Clown process: openness, pleasure, humility, freedom, craziness, ridiculousness, imbalance, status, generosity, the flop, intelligence and types of intelligence or stupidity, sharing with and giving to the audience, the mirror effect, the relationship with other clowns (solos/duos/trios/ensembles) and with the audience, admiration, sincerity, focus, surprise, energy, failure and success... How to speak as Clown? How to dress as Clown? How to think as Clown? Ways of creating a Clown number: from improvisation to a script, with text or without, traditional or contemporary, with or without music, with or without props. What is the difference between performing for adults and children, in the street and in the theatre? How to work from your own personality and knowledge in order to create a number. The rules of humour. The Clown and other disciplines (music, dance, circus, etc., according to the student’s interests), and theoretical studies (history, analysis, theory).

There will be rehearsal space and time outside of the hours of class, and during the weekly free day. The course is designed as a whole, and the teachers work as team, meeting regularly to assess the development of the students as a group and individually.

The classes are given by a team of teachers directed by the founders of the School, Clara Cenoz (Director) and Jon Davison.

This is a course that offers the possibility of understanding the Clown from the initial stages up to what is the aim of all clowns who wish to work independently: the creation of one’s own numbers, which will provide a basis for beginning and continuing to work prfessionally. Our objective is for the student to complete the course with their own criteria on what is Clown, having experienced a variety of contexts and teachers of differing styles, and feeling able to generate their own work and adapt it to a range of professional demands, whether in theatre, street, hospital, etc., and to different types of audience.



	Next course dates: 2-month Professional Courses: 12th April - 4th June 2010 25th October - 17th December 2010 The Professional Clown Course is a residential course with a total of 288 hours of classes, spread over a 6-day week. Course Fees Tuition: 1,500 Euros Full food and board: 1,500 Euros Total cost: 3,000 Euros 1-month Intensive Courses: 2nd - 29th August 2010 The Intensive Clown Course is a residential course with a total of 144 hours of classes, spread over a 6-day week. Course Fees Tuition: 750 Euros Full food and board: 750 Euros Total cost: 1,500 Euros	Introduction to the Course Programme of Studies About Staying at “Cal Clown” Admission Process Course Fees How to Register
	This course offers a broad training ranging from the pleasure of play, of life, which is the driving force of Clown, to the creation of Clown numbers in the final performance. We will work through the various stages of the Clown process: openness, pleasure, humility, freedom, craziness, ridiculousness, imbalance, status, generosity, the flop, intelligence and types of intelligence or stupidity, sharing with and giving to the audience, the mirror effect, the relationship with other clowns (solos/duos/trios/ensembles) and with the audience, admiration, sincerity, focus, surprise, energy, failure and success... How to speak as Clown? How to dress as Clown? How to think as Clown? Ways of creating a Clown number: from improvisation to a script, with text or without, traditional or contemporary, with or without music, with or without props. What is the difference between performing for adults and children, in the street and in the theatre? How to work from your own personality and knowledge in order to create a number. The rules of humour. The Clown and other disciplines (music, dance, circus, etc., according to the student’s interests), and theoretical studies (history, analysis, theory). There will be rehearsal space and time outside of the hours of class, and during the weekly free day. The course is designed as a whole, and the teachers work as team, meeting regularly to assess the development of the students as a group and individually. The classes are given by a team of teachers directed by the founders of the School, Clara Cenoz (Director) and Jon Davison. This is a course that offers the possibility of understanding the Clown from the initial stages up to what is the aim of all clowns who wish to work independently: the creation of one’s own numbers, which will provide a basis for beginning and continuing to work prfessionally. Our objective is for the student to complete the course with their own criteria on what is Clown, having experienced a variety of contexts and teachers of differing styles, and feeling able to generate their own work and adapt it to a range of professional demands, whether in theatre, street, hospital, etc., and to different types of audience.

	Programme of Studies Play Improvisation The Flop/Failure The relationship with the audience White-face Clown/Auguste/Status Solos, Duos, Trios and Ensembles Circus Clown: Traditional, New and Contemporary Street Clown Theatre Clown Clown and Text Props and Objects Costume and Make-up Traditional Numbers Creation of Original Material Clown and other disciplines – dance, music, circus, magic Hospital Clowning Clown Theory – theories and definitions of Clown, laughter and humour; journalism and criticism Clown History – intercultural studies; circus and theatre history; contemporary movements Video Analysis Other Course Languages: Catalan, Spanish, English. About Staying at Cal Clown The fact of living 2 months together with people that initially do not know each other but who have shared interests is, we believe, both an enriching experience and a challenge for the student, a challenge that we think is positive for anyone who wishes to live and know Clown. Students will be provided with all that is necessary to enable them to concentrate exclusively on their training. The cost of the course includes all expenses during the 2 months except drinks at the bar and any costs that students may want to incur on their free day if they choose to leave the school premises. There will be one free day per week when you can stay or leave the school. Those who wish to stay may use all the facilities and will have the usual 3 meals provided. The student will be required to bring: Comfortable clothing for class work, warm clothing in the case of courses in winter and bathing costume in summer, a large towel (we provide small towels and communal shampoo and soap), any medicines or food supplement taken regularly, a torch, gloves, paper or notebooks, computer if you wish to work with one (the School ha a computer with internet connection which students may use), camera or video camera if you wish, and any items of clothing with which you would like to experiment, as well as any props or instruments you may think useful. If you play any instrument or practice any circus techniques, etc., it would be a good idea to bring your material with you. Please also bring any video or graphic material of your own or others' shows that you may think will be of interest to share with the group, as well as DVDs of comedy films and TV series (of any period or country), or books on the subject of humour, comedy and clown. The School has two bicycles that student may use (the nearest village is 20 minutes away by bike), but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. On your free day we can take you to Figueres by car if you wish to take a train to visit cities such as Girona or Barcelona, and we shall also make some group trips to both cities in order to see shows and to find material for the course, and to do small performances when appropriate, as well as in the towns of Bàscara and Pontós. During the course it is very important to respect a basic code of conduct. The bedrooms are shared and it is essential to allow all the group to rest and sleep in order to be in good condition to work. The times to be silent at night and to get up in the morning should be respected. All students will take on a variety of responsibilities, on a rotating basis, ranging tasks of organization to chopping firewood with your red nose on. We strongly believe that this is a highly recommendable course, as much for the life experience it entails as for the training that it offers. Meals at Cal Clown are vegetarian, with some fish dishes for those that wish. Admission Process Admission is by a short interview (by telephone if necessary) to get to know the student. The basic requirements are: the commitment and interest necessary to complete the course. No previous experience is necessary. The minimum age of students is 18. We admit up to 16 students to the course. How to register for the course Please send us an email indicating your interest. We will let you know if there are places available, and contact you for an interview. To reserve your place, you will then need to please pay a deposit of 1,000 Euros before the 20th March 2009. The remaining 2,000 Euros must be paid before the beginning of the course. The school’s account number is: 2038-8919-20-3000047202 (Caja Madrid). Please include your name as a reference. If you are paying from a non-Spanish account, please ask us to send you details for international transactions.