About The Clown Institute

​Nourished and inspired by the Jacques Lecoq® pedagogy, The Clown Institute is a very, very serious professional lab dedicated to nonsense; researching and delivering intensive workshops and regular classes in the art of clowning. It's led by clown and Lecoq alumnus Alicia Gonzalez. Her joy is in growing a community of people practicing the art of clowning across Sydney and beyond, empowering you to connect to your most creative, empathetic and playful nature. 

Founded upon the Poetry of Nonsense manifesto:​

• Discover your most creative self
• Live out your nonsensical whims
• Play and move with curiosity
• Experience a state of beauty, awe & wonder

Le Clown Coach

Hello, I'm Alicia Gonzalez and I'm a performer and coach specialising in clowning and the creation of original stories for stage and screen. I utilise physical training as central to the actor and clown. Inspired by the teachings of Lecoq®, my clown approach and research is focused on the poetry and the metaphors that traverse and express out of the clown to help us reach an absurd profundity, a deeper understanding of the human condition, of the universal that goes beyond the personal (that's a mouthful). 
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I've facilitated clowning and movement classes for actors and civilians at many amazing and reputable art centres, academies and theatres across Sydney and regional NSW, including Laugh Masters Academy, Riverside Theatre, Casula Powerhouse and Sydney Theatre School. I'm a comedy writer and performer for Choo Choo Troupe, theatre maker for Clockfire Theatre Company since 2012 and have performed at the Sydney Festival, and Melbourne Comedy and Adelaide Fringe festivals. Proud to be known as Dr Ding Dong, I'm also a medical clown doctor.
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I discovered clown in New York studying with Virginia Scott. I later trained in Paris, France at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq with the likes of Jos Houben and then later with Avner the Eccentric and Eric De Bont in Spain. When I'm not trying to find absurdity in the everyday idiosyncratic human condition, I enjoy eating hot, flaky croissants and cuddles with my little human.