In this 4 week class, we play with the red nose as a means to discover the world of clown. Together we will embark on the very serious work of how to be profoundly stupid. The red nose is a “small mask”, a poetic tool that amplifies every move we make and compels us to play, make huge choices, and be radically seen on stage, This class is perfect for those interested in unlocking playfulness, becoming more aware of how they are perceived by an audience, and anyone interested in clowning or developing solo work. For participants: Each week please wear dark-colored clothing that you can move in, without patterns or logos. No flip-flops or heels, please. You are welcome to go barefoot. We will be looking at the way the body moves, so we don't want the eye drawn to or distracted by the clothing or the way you walk radically influenced by your footwear

INSTRUCTOR(S): Kristen Schier & Emily Newton

DAY / TIME: Sundays 1:30 - 4:00 PM (2.5 hours)

DATE RANGE: 4 weeks. 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11

LOCATION: 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, OR 97214

PREREQUISITE: Level 1 Improv (at Kickstand or elsewhere)

ABOUT KRISTEN SCHIER
(She/Her)

Kristen Schier is an actor, improviser, teacher, and clown. She has extensive improv teaching, directing, and performing experience. She holds a BFA in Theater Arts from the University of the Arts where she also taught Acting for Non-Majors, Improvisation for the Actor, and first-year Acting Studio.

She has toured all over the country, teaching and performing at various festivals such as the Seattle Festival of Improvised Theater, Chicago Improv Festival, Vancouver International Improv Festival, Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam, and more. Kristen is the former Co-Artistic Director of Curious Comedy in Portland Oregon and former Improv Producer at the Philly Improv Theater. She has studied improv at Second City, Magnet Theater, and Annoyance. Kristen has also studied Physical Theater, clown, extensively with Pig Iron Theater company and Movement Theater Studio.

ABOUT EMILY NEWTON
(She/Her)
Emily June Newton is an international comedic performer. Originating from Australia, she now resides in Portland, Oregon. Emily has performed both nationally and internationally with companies including Terrapin Puppet Theater (AUS), Oregon Children’s Theater (OR, USA), CoHo Productions (OR, USA), The Children’s Art Theater of China (Shanghai, CHN) and Dell’Arte International (CA, USA). Newton is interested in creating/performing comedic, fully embodied characters that live in direct contact with an audience. Her work reflects an ongoing interest in exploring the boundaries between performer and audience. Emily is best known for her characters 'Frank' (the world's most entertaining entertainer), 'Pat McKensie' (Australia's Cultural Ambassador for Australia (self-appointed)), ‘The Rat King’, and ‘The Bard’ (Mike Bennett Studios). She has been described as 'comedic gold' by Broadway World and a 'standout clown' by The Mercury PDX. Emily holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Ensemble-Based Physical Theater from Dell’Arte International CA, is the co-artistic director of the CoHo Clown Cohort (PDX) and is a faculty member of the Institute of Contemporary Performance in Portland, Oregon.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL, AND NO REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR CLASSES   

The policies below are essential to Kickstand's mission. Everyone must agree to uphold them while being part of the Kickstand community.  Please be familiar with our policies before beginning classes at Kickstand.  You can find these policies listed on our website. We have also linked  to them below.

Thanks again for your interest in classes at Kickstand! We cannot wait to meet you!