Queens, Clowns and Fools is an introduction to pathways for new work creation that address, invokes, or involves an audience’s presence directly into performance.

As taught by multi-award-winning drag clown Justin Miller (aka Pearle Harbour), this class aims to equip its participants with the skills to tear down (or at least peek around) the fourth wall, tap into their impulse and imagination, and open themselves up to the risk, surprise, and love that can arise when performer authentically listen to their audience, and respond urgently to hug the calamity in the room. Using tenants of Pochinko clown, bouffon, direct address, cabaret, commedia dell’arte, butoh, and contemporary drag, participants will tap into a presentational form that is both ancient and entirely in the moment.

This class is ideal for actors, drag queens, comedians, clowns, storytellers, solo- and interdisciplinary performers,lecturers, anyone who has the courage to stand in front of someone else and entertain with both their wits and their heart.