IN PERSON Classes

SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES: CLOWN 2

Class Type Intermediate
Dates October 26 thru December 14, 2025
Times 6-9.30pm, Sundays ONLY
Location The Stomping Ground, 5453 Alhambra Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90032
Instructor David Bridel
Cost $449 (discounts available for previous Clown School participants)

Clown 2 offers an amazing opportunity to explore clown archetypes. Bring your vulnerability and playfulness to the Auguste, the clown at the very bottom of the ladder, and the Joey, also known as the boss clown, the clown that wins! The class brings incredible transformations, a deeper connection with your clown, and the joy of creativity in this beautiful discipline.

Ages 18 and older.

Prerequisite: Clown 1 or Intensive

MONDAY NIGHT SERIES: COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE 1

Class Type Open
Dates November 3 - December 22, 2025
Times 6 - 9pm, Mondays only
Location JJ Gym, 6232 Mary Ellen Ave, Valley Glen, CA 91401
Instructor David Bridel
Cost $399 (discounts available for previous Clown School participants)

“I want to tell you how much your class meant to me. I came away from that experience with such a greater understanding of what I wanted to accomplish as an actor.” KC, Los Angeles

The greatest challenge you could possibly face! Commedia dell’Arte teaches improvisational skills, mask work, character study, musicality, rhythm, acute listening, spatial awareness, routine building, status, approaches to language and text, and comedy, in the context of a theatrical experience that encourages both historical understanding and a totally contemporary rendering. It is the most extraordinary work-out for the actor, comedian, director, creator, and adventurous soul. It is at one and the same time profoundly challenging and profoundly liberating. Come and study this rare and beautiful art with David, who brings his unique understanding and completely original curriculum to the studio.

Ages 18 and older.

Prerequisite: None

SPECIAL WEEKEND WORKSHOP: LARVAL MASK

Class Type Open
Dates November 15-16, 2025
Times Noon-5pm
Location Madilyn Clark Studios, 10852 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, California 91601
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $299

The Larval Mask is the “baby clown” of the theatrical world - and so much more. A manifestation of total innocence, the mask offers up a beautiful, profound, and highly unusual experience for the performer, who has to forget everything and start from the most basic prompts in order to unlock the treasure in each mask. The enlightenment of simplicity follows!

Ages 18 and older.

SPECIAL WEEKEND WORKSHOP: THE DYNAMICS OF PLAY

Class Type Open
Dates December 6/7, 2025
Times Noon-4pm
Location Madilyn Clark Studios, 10852 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, California 91601
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $299

The concept of play lies at the heart of everything in the clown and theatrical universe. Join David for this deep dive into play, complicity, game, structure, and sensitivity, opening up new revelations about the performer’s process and offering amazing moments of joy and excitement. In particular, watch out for a completely original version of the children’s game Hide and Seek, which David has translated into theatrical form with remarkable results…

Ages 18 and older.

SPECIAL ONE DAY RETREAT: CLOWN-PALOOZA

Class Type Open
Dates Saturday December 20, 2025
Times 10am-6pm
Location Sane Living, 316 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023
Instructors David Bridel
Cost $150

The Clown School invites you to take a day out of your life and join us for our long-awaited, first-ever retreat! Refresh, revitalize, and inspire yourself in the magical surroundings of the Sane Living Center in beautiful Ojai, California. Our series of exercises in movement, ensemble work, foolery and clowning offer a transformational experience, filled with connectivity and laughter, that will cleanse the palate and treat the soul around the Winter Solstice.

Ages 18 and older.

No prior experience necessary.

Book your place now for the astounding Clown School Winter Intensive at The Clown School in January 2026. Welcoming participants from all over the country and all over the world to Los Angeles, the Intensive is rigorous, irreverent, playful, personal and profound, with a unique and transformative clown curriculum that can’t be found anywhere else! From vulnerability to a relationship with an audience; from levels of energy to physicalization and imagery; from emotional connection to archetypes and routines; this comprehensive exploration of the beauty and wonder of clowning offers a breakthrough experience for performers, comedians, artists, professionals, the curious, and the seekers of all stripes. A rare opportunity for newcomers and returners alike to go big and go bold - and release parts of the self into the creative process that have, until now, remained blocked.

SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES: CLOWN 3

Class Type Advanced
Dates January 11 - February 22, 2026
Times 6-10pm, Sundays ONLY
Location The Stomping Ground, 5453 Alhambra Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90032
Instructor David Bridel
Cost $449 (discounts available for previous Clown School participants)

“Incredibly transformative! Clown School taught me truly life-altering skills!”CSH, Los Angeles

For participants who have come through the Clown progression, the chance to make a Clown show together. Enjoy the thrills of your clown character making material and creating beautiful routines. Everything culminates in a presentation for friends and family. Don’t miss this totally unique opportunity to be a part of a fabulous adventure!

Ages 18 and older.

Prerequisite: Clown 2

MONDAY NIGHT SERIES: MIME 1

Class Type All Comers
Dates January 12 - February 23, 2026
Times 6-9pm Mondays ONLY
Location JJ Gym, 6232 Mary Ellen Ave, Valley Glen, CA 91401
Instructor David Bridel
Cost $399 (discounts available for previous Clown School participants)

A glorious opportunity to explore the art of mime as it relates to the world of clown and physical comedy. Learn isolations that help you to articulate your physical movements; beats, phrasing, punctuation, and sub-divisions to develop the grammar and language of mime; and develop hilarious and poignant scenes that test and stretch your compositional abilities. Perfect for performers who want to practice silent story telling as a unique, magical, and exciting art form.