Come create laughter, joy, and fun while integrating the skills and techniques used by the Clown and Comedic Performer. This class will draw from Circus and Vaudeville, taking the student on a journey connecting with your inner Clown. Learn clown history, juggling, makeup, costume, object manipulation, slapstick, comedy routines, and much, much more! Be part of the Fun! Be part of the Laughter! Be part of the Joy of the Clown!!

This is an 8 Class Workshop

Select Mondays & Wednesday in May and June. (May 19, 21, 26, 28, June 2, 4, 9, 11)

Time: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Registration required. Ages 55+ only.

BUY THE WORKSHOP

Pay What You Wish!

Our “Pay What You Wish” pricing structure allows everyone full access to this Lifetime Learning Workshop, with an option to contribute more if you are able. Your extra supports helps us make these workshops possible! You may select from the following price levels:

Level A - $200
Level B - $80
Level C - $25
Scholarship - free

About the Instructors

Karen Bell
Karen Bell has had a 36-year career as a Professional Circus clown. She is the only female clown with a solo ring gag on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. As a ‘Producing’ Clown for Ringling, Karen created material to perform for herself and other clowns on the show. She has toured the world clowning with Ringing and the Department of Defense. In 2005, Ms. Bell moved to Florida to work as Outreach and Education Manager for The Circus Arts Conservatory and has been instrumental in expanding the Humor Therapy outreach program, to include “Memories…Lost and Found” a program to aid dementia and late stage Alzheimer patients. Additionally, she is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of The CAC’s Education Program. Creating and teaching circus curriculum for elementary and middle school students. Along with her partner, Robin Eurich, Karen has presented at the National Science Teacher Association’s STEM conference for two years in a row. One of Ms. Bell’s proudest accomplishments has been being a part of an amazing team that has created circus curriculum for Sarasota High School’s Circus Arts Magnet program and Booker Middle Visual and Performing Arts Circus Magnet program. Karen coaches clowns for the Sailor Circus Academy.

Ronald J. Hoffman
Ronald J. Hoffman received his Theatre Arts degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo North Dakota. He performed with Orchisis Dance Company and The Little Country Theatre in productions of A Flea in Her Ear, Really Rosie, and The Miser. Ronald moved to New York and danced professionally with The Humphrey Dance Ensemble, and the Harbor Island Dance Theatre. He performed in productions of Oklahoma The Bells are Ringing, and Carnival. Ronald attended Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Clown College. He toured with RBBB for two years as a Clown and Physical Comedian. He continued his physical comedic performances with The Hudson Vagabond Puppeteers. He has appeared on Television and Movies. He is co-founder of Two Left Feet Dancing Duo, a comedic dance troupe. He has performed Internationally in China, Mexico, Scotland, and South America. Ronald has danced with the Concrete Canyon Cloggers, and won a Gold Medal in the Cultural and Arts Events of the 1994 Unity Gay Games.

He had choreographed and directed original shows for Off Broadway, Touring Companies and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Clown College. His productions are still performed in repertoires internationally. Ronald performed with The Big Apple Circus Clown Care, a performing based program working with medical staff to help achieve specific medical requirements using circus performing techniques. He was Supervisor of two CCU Programs in NYC and one in Miami. He also was named a Creative Staff Associate where he mentored, trained, audition, and conducted continuing artistic workshops for the BAC-CCU. Ronald holds a Dance Teacher Certificate from City Center’s Teaching Artist Training Program. He has developed and conducted many curriculum-based workshops and programs using circus skills, performance techniques, and dance movement to demonstrate the concepts and principles of Science, Math, Language Arts, and Geography. He continues to work as a Teaching Artist in Education.

Please note: As part of our Lifetime Learning Program, this workshop is intended for persons age 55 and above. If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to the Program Manager at [email protected].