WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 AT 6PM-9PM

The Auguste Roost, 250 Cumberland St, Rochester, NY, 14620

At the heart of clowning is play! A state of openness, curiosity, and discovery that allows everything else to unfold. In this workshop, Gordon Neill guides participants through games and exercises that unlock creativity, spontaneity, and joy. Whether you’re new to clown or deepening your practice, you’ll explore the essential foundations of the art form: finding freedom, connection, and laughter through play.

In 2013 Gordon Neill was a NOBODY. Just a run-of-the-mill bond trader trying to get into the fast-paced world of pension portfolio management. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his personality was bad. Real bad. He learned this DURING AN INTERVIEW when he was told "We really like you, but your personality..." Anyone with a good personality would have NOT TAKEN THAT JOB, but not our man Gordon, he took it and ran with it. Until his first performance review where he was offered a choice: fix your personality or GET OUT OF DODGE. Unwavering in his own self worth in the face of the ultimate ultimatum, he decided to take an improv class which IMMEDIATELY FIXED HIS PERSONALITY.

With a new verve and informed confidence Gordon SOLVED IMPROV and took a walk down the road least travelled, CLOWN. Not only did he start learning the art, but he founded Sweet Action Theatre Company. Most people stop at the name "Theatre Company", but Gordon didn't know you could do that. So he BUILT A FULL ON CLOWN THEATRE replete with lights, cameras and SWEET CLOWN ACTION. The community flourished and there was much rejoicing. And the kicker: he built this theatre 14 months before a once-in-a-several-lifetime global pandemic. That's CLOWN BB!

$60

Sliding Scale Available

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27 AT 10AM-1PM

The Auguste Roost, 250 Cumberland St, Rochester, NY, 14620

Find the funny and reconnect with your play and beautiful stupidity.

Using physical games and improv- we’ll explore le jeu (the game), pleasure, flops, our relationship with an audience, and much much more! Together we‘ll let free our imagination, take risks, confront doubt, and find what truly makes us funny.

This clown workshop is for everyone at any experience level who is looking to expand their comedic practice and understanding in a supportive environment.

Madeleine Rowe (they/them) is a clown, teacher, and local Medieval knight. They are the creator and performer of solo shows Knight, Knight and Honey, I'm Home. Other theatrical credits include Orpehus in the Underworld (Spymonkey, Vienna Volksoper), as well as shows with Four Humors, Clarence Brown Theater, and Yellow Tree Theater. Madeleine's training includes work with renowned clown teacher Philippe Gaulier, acclaimed British comedy troupe Spymonkey, and MFA actor training from the University of Tennessee.

$60

Sliding Scale Available

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 & 28 AT 2PM-5PM

Two-day Workshop

The Auguste Roost, 250 Cumberland St, Rochester, NY, 14620

Eccentric Performance is one of the most personal and paradoxical of theater forms: It can be ingenious or dim-witted, skillful, or blundering. It can have sharp verbal wit or be completely silent. It can be extremely silly while also pointing out the failures of society. Above all, Eccentric Performing is funny!

This two-day introduction to the world of Eccentric Performance is open to performers of all experience levels.

In this workshop you will learn how to:

Create rapport with the audience

Use your breath to increase your comfort and heighten the emotional impact of your performance

Use problem-solving to create comedy out of ordinary activities

Turn any audience member into an exceptional volunteer

And much more

What are Avner’s Eccentric principles?

Find out what other students have said about Avner’s workshops.

Must attend both days!

$150

Sliding Scale Available