This workshop helps actors and fools alike reignite their joy, spontaneity, and physicality by experiencing how clowns approach text. Many times we try to get it “right.” This workshop reminds you that there’s no right or wrong way to play a part. There’s simply your way—unique, bold, outrageous, and honest!

By playing roles in a wide range of scripts, you will discover the magic that happens when you truly play in the moment. When you get out of your head and play from your heart. When you admit the mistake, instead of hiding or denying it. When you cast aside technique, research, and methodology and simply pretend to be the Jester, the Dragon, the Queen, or even the Glorious Throne upon which Her Majesty sits. When the ending is as big a mystery to you as it is to the audience.

Participants will be assigned various roles to play in scenes by writers such as Travis Alabanza, Samuel Beckett, Leah Cherniak, Christopher Durang, Charles Ludlam, Daniel MacIvor, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross, Peter Shaffer, and even William Shakespeare.

Experience as an actor or clown is required. We ask each participant to upload an artistic resume or CV, as a PDF, when they register.

ABOUT SHANNAN CALCUTT

Shannan Calcutt is sought after globally as a show creator, performer, instructor, director, and writer. She has played an eclectic range of venues from Saskatoon’s Wash ‘n Slosh Pub to the Sydney Opera House. She is best known for performing her iconic breast implant routine —Scotch Baggies±for millions of spectators at Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity. Currently, audiences can catch Calcutt’s signature shenanigans as a featured comedic performer in Cirque du Soleil’s latest Vegas production, Mad Apple. One of the world’s leading instructors in clown and play, her work is profiled in the book Clowns: In Conversation with Modern Masters. Calcutt has designed and directed comic acts for Cirque du Soleil, Spiegelworld, and Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast. She is the director of Spiegelworld’s Superfrico, associate director of The Hook and was resident director at The Atomic Saloon Show from 2021–2024. Shannan is fluent in English, sarcasm, and sophisticated silliness. More about her here at shannancalcutt.com.