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In an era where individualism often overshadows communal bonds, the Clown Chorus Ensemble Lab held earlier this month in Sydney aimed to offer a refreshing perspective on the delicate balance between selfhood and collective identity. This lab didn’t just explore theatrical performance; it challenged our understanding of how unique individuals emerge from and contribute to the collective. The questions posed in this lab weren’t merely academic; they were deeply relevant to contemporary society in 2024. Redefining heroism and community Activist Emma Goldman's poignant challenge to "be oneself and yet in oneness with others" resonates profoundly in today's fragmented world. The Clown Chorus Ensemble Lab was an experiment in rediscovering this balance. By creating a collective flow (aka the chorus) only to intentionally disrupt it, we were able uncover the unique "clown" within each participant. This joyfool disruption isn't just theatrical; it’s a metaphor for societal change. Who is our modern hero? In our quest to identify modern heroes, the lab proposed that today's stereotypical heroes are not the traditional strongmen or flawless figures but those who, like clowns, embrace vulnerability and imperfection. They are individuals who can stand apart from the collective, question it, and yet remain an integral part of it. In this light, the clown becomes a symbol of resilience and truth in a world often obsessed with superficial perfection and lies.  The lab's approach to building and breaking collective flow highlighted an essential truth: genuine progress often requires disruption. This perspective challenges the notion that harmony and conformity are always desirable. Instead, it suggests that the most profound truths and innovations emerge from the cracks in the collective facade. The clown, by daring to be different, exposes these cracks and invites us to confront uncomfortable realities.
Ethical and universal connections As I observed the lab participants in choral formation it reminded me of the power of communal performance. It’s not just about moving in sync; it’s about connecting deeply with others, society, and the universe. This connection is ethical in nature, urging us to be conscious of our movements and their impact on the collective. It’s a return to the roots of theatre, where the chorus was not just a group but a representation of societal conscience. Clown as a mirror Naturally, the clown’s role in this lab was not merely to entertain but to act as a mirror to society. By embracing perceived inadequacies (cracks in our personas), the clown challenges the observer or audience to reconsider their definitions of normalcy, success and how one should behave. The clown’s perpetual rise after every fall is a poignant metaphor for resilience and the human spirit’s triumph over adversity. The clown teaches us that true bravery lies in the ability to rise repeatedly like the tallest sunflower. It’s not about wallowing in despair but about using it as a catalyst for creating meaningful connections and understanding. The clown, by existing within this tragic space, bridges the gap between individual pain and collective empathy. In the end, the two-day Clown Chorus Ensemble Lab was more than an artistic experiment; it was a call to action. In urging us to embrace our vulnerabilities, joyfully disrupt the status quo, and find the sweet spot in our collective humanity. By reimagining the roles of the clown and the chorus, maybe we can redefine heroism, adopt deeper connections, and create a more resilient and compassionate society. Who knows, perhaps in the laughter and tears shared through this journey we call life; we may find the true essence of what it means to be a funny old human.
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This is one of my all time fave quotes and moments in a film. It sums up for me the profound sentiment I have following a clown workshop; it’s a feeling of stupefaction and awe at each person’s capacity to share something usefool with the world. The Fool: I am ignorant, but I read books. You won't believe it, everything is useful... this pebble for instance. Gelsomina: Which one? The Fool: Anyone. It is useful. Gelsomina: What for? The Fool: For... I don't know. If I knew I'd be the Almighty, who knows all. When you are born and when you die... Who knows? I don't know for what this pebble is useful but it must be useful. For if its useless, everything is useless. So are the stars! - Excerpt from La Strada As I get ready to run a morning weekend clown workshop I watch new students roll in donning their adulthood overcoats. When they arrive some hang back politely happy to make small talk sharing timid smiles, there’s the slightly perplexed face of ‘somebody who doesn’t know’, and others who are excited raring to go.
One of my greatest pleasures is observing the loosening of the presentable and acceptable version of adulthood into disarming playfulness within minutes as we engage in one of our first games called ‘Soul Train’. Music is a fabulous motivator; I’ve seen some jaw-dropping situations. There are particular songs that transform us even if it is for just a moment – they can make us strong, brave, sexy, completely savage, etc… and the best part is that it’s totally okay if that’s what we think we’re being at the time! We play these types of games not to prepare you for an audition on The Voice or to demo what an accomplished professional dancer or singer you are, rather it’s to discover something about yourself and ultimately about your clown. It’s a real joy to watch a person’s willingness to crack open their bodies, voices and hearts and trumpet their unabashed creativity alongside a bunch of strangers elevating their stupidity to the next level. It’s a reciprocal ride of generosity and tuning in to one another, what French acting instructor Jacques Lecoq coined during his pedagogic journey as ‘complicité’. There is a shared understanding and a real sense of connectedness in the room; everyone’s rooting for you and there’s a desire for one to succeed. Let’s face it adulting can be pretty combative and pressurizing sometimes; ‘get a job’, ‘stand up straight’, ‘eat with your mouth closed’, ‘love me!’ and so on, and clowning is one way to flip that on its head. It’s like a huge empathetic boost inviting us all to unleash our fun on and anarchic ways. A shared laugh is a shared feeling after all. It is the end of the morning weekend workshop, as people say their goodbyes and thank yous it’s plain easy to see that some of us are reluctant to take our adulthood overcoats back home. I’ve realized I teach others in order to learn myself. It is tricky to identify as a teacher, in fact, I am simply there to guide and shine the light in the direction where your clown wants to go. It’s a process of mutual discovery and I’m very fortunate because it is one of the finest ways to learn about the human condition, which I find usefool. I don’t know for what but it must be useful. Be honest. Be Stupid. Be interested. Play. Be vulnerable. Play. Play. Play. |
AuthorAlicia Gonzalez is a clown and coach living the beautifool life. Archives
January 2025
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