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| Drawing by Paul MacDonald |
The Courage to Be
An Introduction to Clowning
ONE-WEEK INTENSIVESpring Valley NY
co-facilitated by Vivian Gladwell and Blondine Maurice
4 SESSIONS PER DAY
9:30-11:00 11:30–1:00 2:30–3:45 4:15–6:00
(Beginning Monday at 9:30am and ending Friday at 2:30pm)
Clowning is a state of playfulness that allows us to experience a child-like, naive and vulnerable state of being ... and paradoxically we grow, learn and are strengthened through playfully reconnecting with what makes us most vulnerable. This approach to clowning is not a technique (tricks, gags, and routines) but a personal journey towards finding one's unique way of being a clown, by listening and being receptive, essential skills for any creative and imaginative expression. This course is about freeing ourselves from the "shoulds" and "should nots" that constrain our natural capacity to be playful and free.This course establishes the foundation for all our work and is an essential first step before going on to more advanced courses such as Social Clowning and the Facilitators Training planned for 2011. Class size is limited to 12.
Please register early.
Course fee - $490***
***The first three bookings get a reduction of $90, the next three, a reduction of $60 and the next three, a reduction $30.
You can book this course by paying your deposit. Click on Add to cart below and proceed to checkout.
You receive a $50 reduction on the tuition, if you do this course as part of the two-year clown training.
Let us know if you need accommodation - we can put you in touch with participants offering accommodation.
To reserve your place or write to us - click here
Since 1988, Vivian has worked internationally as a modern day Court Jester and facilitator. He performs at business events and conferences. He is the founding member of Nose to Nose (see www.nosetonose.info) and Fool View, the Social Clowning group. His teaching has introduced many to discover the transformative power of play and humour.
His particular interest has been into how to apply the insights of clowning to different professional field such as medicine, teaching and business practice. Vivian creates an atmosphere in his workshops that enable all participants – from whatever walk of life – to enter into unfamiliar and challenging exercises. Having completed Vivian's workshops, previous participants have felt an enhanced openness and attentiveness, a heightened sense of empathy, a higher degree of presence, increased improvisational skills and a confidence to apply these across all areas of their life. Vivian's students say that the course gave them 'permission to be playful again,' and 'an understanding that every little incident has significance.
You can read some testimonials about Vivian's courses below:
“From the very first minute of Vivian’s presence one had the feeling of being accompanied by a good spirit. So all the exercises we did – although they required us to overcome certain inner obstacles – were a step on the way to free oneself from hesitation and inner burdens. L.B. English Week 2004 (f)”
“I must say Vivian did very well and made us all feel very comfortable in the group and in doing these strange things we had to do. I would never have believed someone could make me play a square or a toy sword or whatever, but in the right setting I was able to do so. C. B. English Fortnight 2000 (f)”
“I found it remarkable how quickly Vivian managed to create an atmosphere for all the participants in which one not only felt well, but also safe enough to try things out that one wouldn’t normally trust oneself to do. For me as a person and a teacher it was an extraordinary valuable experience to see how one can wholly captivate an “audience” when one is fully present. [vollkommen bei sich]. M.B. English Week 2005 (f)”
Other comments from previous course participants:
Dr Deon van Zyl
This was the single most transformative and life-changing programme I have ever attended.
Sharon Olivier
The most refreshing insight was learning how to relax, tune in and respond to the moment. The facilitation was top class! I gained so many insights and skills that will benefit my training and speaking career.
Blondine MauriceSince 1969 the film of Jean Louis Barrault, Les enfants du Paradis, the theme of the Fool has refused to leave her heart. Blondine has trained with world class international talents in clowning.
1977: Finding her personal clown (one of them anyway) with Kaf Warman in California
1999 onwards: There is No Turning back, inspired by...
* Cheryl Cashman see Pocninko, Nelson
* Grindl, clown and dancer, Toronto
* Ian Wallace aka Nion, Vancouver
* Facilitator Training with Vivian Gladwell founder of Nose to Nose, Europe
Blondine has raised 7 children and been a Waldorf Early Childhood teacher since 1980. These experiences granted her many opportunities to find the humor in everyday life.
Assisting for 5 years in various transformative workshops and Body Mind Therapy training has helped Blondine to develop ease in holding space, listening and creating a safe environement for emerging clowns, all the while creating a lifetime journey towards her business: The Heart Nose and the healing power of laughter.
