So it’s an auspicious moment to announce our next class for 2012: THE SHOW MUST GO ON, running March 25 to May 13 2012, taught by David Bridel. Using the principles of clowning, participants will be guided in the creation of several original solo pieces, to be performed in the classroom over the course of the 7 week session. For those who love improvisation, never fear – every session, and even the original pieces themselves, will be filled with plenty of spontaneous thrills and spills, and the ever-present beauty of making stuff up on the spot. THE SHOW MUST GO ON aims to unleash the creative spirit in each participant, and to demonstrate that desire, commitment, and a love of the audience are the true ingredients of memorable performance.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to work on your self, your material, your sense of humor, and your courage, all under the roof of one of LA’s most successful new studios. “Working with David,” wrote a recent Clown School participant in Beijing, “a miracle happens.”

Meanwhile, Orlando Pabotoy, The Clown School co-founder, is planning to return to Los Angeles to teach for us, July 1-8, 2012. Orlando’s work is increasingly in demand, and his choreography for Classic Stage‘s sensational production of The Cherry Orchard, starring John Turturro, has received overwhelming critical acclaim. Watch this space for more details on Orlando’s visit.

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, The Clown School

Class The Show Must Go On
Dates March 25 – May 13, 2012
Times Sundays (only) 5pm – 9pm
Location Hollywood, Los Angeles
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $495 (discounts available for previous Clown School participants)

Using the principles of clowning, participants will be guided in the creation of several original solo pieces, to be performed in the classroom over the course of the 7 week session. For those who love improvisation, never fear – every session, and even the original pieces themselves, will be filled with plenty of spontaneous thrills and spills, and the ever-present beauty of making stuff up on the spot. THE SHOW MUST GO ON aims to unleash the creative spirit in each participant, and to demonstrate that desire, commitment, and a love of the audience are the true ingredients of memorable performance.

Book your place

Many thanks to our friends at Artist Upgrade for the beautiful “makeover” to our website. Take a look around – you’ll found all our usual info, plus a new Productions page with information about the latest shows involving David or Orlando – and exciting news as The Clown School begins to produce original material.

Come and join us in January, or let us know how we can serve your clowning needs!

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, The Clown School

In China, he will lead masterclasses in the techniques of The Clown School at the Beijing Institute of Fashion and Technology (Animation Department), the National Theatre of China, the Beijing Film Academy, the China Traditional Performance Art Academy, and the Central Drama Academy. In Hong Kong he is guest speaker at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he lectures on “The Sweet Smell of Failure: How Theatre Helped Me Express My Weakness.” It’s going to be a busy fortnight, and much clowning will ensue.

There’s still plenty of time to sign up for David’s next two offerings in Los Angeles, Private Coaching and Red Red Nose. Come and join us!

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, The Clown School

If you’re working on a clown show, sketch comedy, physical comedy, or comic monologues, why not book a session with David and take your work to the next level? With PRIVATE COACHING, you can choose how often you would like to meet, from a one-off hour long session, to several sessions spread out over the available period. All Coaching Sessions take place between the hours of 4pm and 9pm on Sundays, and bookings are made on a first-come first-served basis.

The next in our series of acclaimed clown classes, RED RED NOSE, begins on January 22, 2012. Lauded by LA Stage as “a truly spectacular and unforgettable class”, we are proud to offer you one of the most challenging, incisive, and rewarding classes in town. There’s no escaping the joy and the terror of finding your clown, embracing your whole self, and making comedy out of the truth! So many students have loved this work and reaped its benefits – just take a look at our Testimonials page and see what they have said about it!

Finally, if you are in New York and seeking to clown, you must check out The Funny School of Good Acting, brainchild of Christopher Bayes, one of the leading clown teachers in the USA, and inspiration to us at The Clown School. Studying with Chris is a joy!

To make your booking with The Clown School, contact me at administrator@theclownschool.com, or follow the links in this website.

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, The Clown School (formerly Studio Six)

Class Red Red Nose, a Clown class
Dates January 22 – March 4, 2012
Times Sundays (only) 5pm – 9pm
Location Hollywood, Los Angeles
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $495

Plunge in to the world of the clown with our classic class that leads from the most basic improvisations to the wildest of routines. RED RED NOSE offers a disciplined physical and emotional training that profits all performers who pursue of a deeper sense of play in their work. The class demands honesty, commitment, and courage, and rewards the participant with a powerful understanding of the clown and how clowning can be applied across disciplines. Reference points include the Commedia dell’Arte, the silent films of Chaplin, Keaton, and Harold Lloyd, and modern clowning such as the stage work of David Shiner and Bill Irwin, or the screen persona of Sasha Baron Cohen. For actors, clowns, comics and performers who wish to investigate the philosophy and practice of presence, and who seek inspiration in their creative lives – this class is for you.

Book your place

Class Private Coaching
Dates October 23 – December 4, 2011
Times Sundays (only) 4pm – 9pm (choose the length of your own sessions)
Location Central Los Angeles
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $80 an hour solo; $100 an hour for duos; discounts available for previous S6 participants

PRIVATE COACHING can be custom designed for you! Whether you are creating new material, working on auditions, looking for ways to develop your clown or your comic routine, or seeking direction, David will work with your objectives and help you to take your work to the next level! You can book a one-off session or a series of meetings – it’s entirely up to you. David is available between the hours of 4pm and 9pm on Sundays from October 23 thru December 4.

Book your place

“I have never had such a magical experience in a class…”

Come and see what we’re all about.

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, Studio Six

4 Clowns premiered at the 2010 Hollywood Fringe Festival and won the Award for Best in Physical Theater and Dance and was nominated for two other awards in its short five show sold-out run. Come and see what the madness is all about!

Who:  Produced by Alive Theatre and the Long Beach Playhouse
What: 4 Clowns conceived and directed by Jeremy Aluma
Where: Long Beach Playhouse @ 5021 E. Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA, 90804
When: Friday, March 4 – Saturday, March 19. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm.
Why: Laughter is the best medicine.
How: $10 for everyone at www.lbplayhouse.org or www.alivetheatre.org
Press Contact: Jeremy Aluma      562.508.1788      jeremy@alivetheatre.org

“Aluma may be saying that human pain is at once particular and universal; what’s certain is his cast is gifted…” GO! – Amy Nicholson, LA Weekly & Backstage

“The playful, troublemaking 4 Clowns offer a night out you won’t soon forget. The 4 Clowns are thrillingly unique, and you could possibly leave asking, ‘Did that really just happen?” – Stephanie Forshee, Campus Circle

“WARNING: Do not hire these clown for your 5-year-old’s birthday party. But definitely go see 4 Clowns (sans the little ones, of course). The archetypal clowns (Nervous, Mischievous, Angry and Sad) go through the stages of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and death. Not necessarily a morality play, it does leave the message that even though life is horrible- I mean really f***ing horrible – at least we can laugh our way through the pain. Each clown is an honest, albeit exaggerated, version of humanity, expertly crafted and directed by Jeremy Aluma and his quartet of brilliant clowns. A mixture of classic clowning techniques with singing and improvisation – this is definitely a must see. You’ll be sure to cry…from laughter.”  – Ashley Steed, LA Theatre Review

We are currently taking bookings for ADVANCED CLOWN, which is now scheduled to run from March 20 thru May 8 (with no class on April 10). ADVANCED CLOWN promises more madness and mirth – and more challenges for the performer – as David leads clowns into character creation and the wild, theatrical celebration of our juiciest flaws.

For more information, or to sign up, contact me at administrator@studiosixlosangeles.com.

And remember, all previous Studio Six participants are eligible for a discount if they return to study with us again!

Isabella Fratellini

Administrator, Studio Six