Workshops
Explore our journey of creativity, laughter, and connection through the art of clowning
Completely covering the face, this expressionless mask allows the body to speak. By questioning the body, the neutral mask invites us to explore and expand the potential of body language.
"The king's jesters made the court laugh while spitting out the truths of those days" -Francine Côté
A physical research space centered around the larval mask, a foundational tool in mask and movement-based theatre.
2025-2026 program has been sold out.
To get on the waiting list for next year's program, visit contact us page.
Immerse yourself in the world of clown artistry, explore the many facets of comedic performance, and develop a unique stage presence this is the essence of our professional clown program.
Designed as an immersive and comprehensive training experience, this program guides students through the six levels of clown.
The Four Classic Duos, created and supported by Pedro Fabião, will be taught by Jean Saucier.
“In clown art, the artist discovers his own sense of humor by developing different structures of comedy. This translates on stage through the gags, the comic situations and/or the dynamics of the relationships he has with his playing partners.” - James Keylon and Francine Cote
In therapeutic and health care clowning, the art of clowning is adapted to the specific conditions and needs of individuals in hospital, rehabilitation, palliative or hospice care.
Completely covering the face, this expressionless mask allows the body to speak. By questioning the body, the neutral mask invites us to explore and expand the potential of body language.
Initiation to Clown is for anyone who has an interest in the art of clown and who wants to be introduced to Francine Côté’s method, but who has little to no training or professional experience in theatre, circus or dance.
“Clown art is not a series of gags. The gag is just the punctuation at the end of a comic sentence. Rather, it is the sentence itself that is comical and contains the force of the laughter. ” -James Keylon
“In clown art, the real generosity of the actor is to offer the game to his partner when he is experiencing success.” - Francine Côté
This workshop gives participants the opportunity to start learning about Commedia dell'arte, a theatrical art of Italian origin that, according to many scholars, initiated what we now call professional theatre.
Slapstick is aimed at artists in good physical shape wishing to discover modern slapstick which is a physical humor taking place in a comic conflicting context.
"The king's jesters made the court laugh while spitting out the truths of those days" -Francine Côté
"You don't create your clown... you just let him come. Then, you accept him with affection and share him with others. A work of simplicity, sincerity, vulnerability and joy of play." -Francine Côté
Develop mime technique, body language, presence, and expressive clarity in this weekly session with Mario Diamond.
What happens when long-form improv crashes joyfully into the beautiful disaster of clown? In **ClownProv**, Isaak Kessler invites performers to explore a bold, physical, and deeply playful approach to spontaneous comedy. This workshop focuses on audience connection, physical impulse, rhythm, failure, surprise, and the joyful tension between structure and chaos.
Explore larval, full, and expressive mask work through physical preparation, character creation, improvisation, gesture, rhythm, and wordless theatrical play with Johanne Benoit.
