holly stoppit

Introduction To Clown Weekend - May 4th and 5th 2013 with Holly Stoppit

Sounds fun, but what exactly will happen to me?

Well, you will play and play and laugh and play and laugh and play all day for 2 days. And when the weekend is over, you will be a clown.

What sort of playing?

This is a 2-day group journey, where we will adventure together through games, laughter yoga, physical and vocal play, exploring authentic and playful connection with yourself and with other people. Our mission will be to find the joy and pleasure in everything we do.

My teaching style provides nourishment to grow confidence and courage to share everything that you are, moment to moment with an audience. Clowning is not something you put on, more a stripping back to a state of child-like wonderment, where pleasure and playfulness rule.

Once we've reached this state of clown, I will lead you through a tried and tested progression of technical exercises focusing on timing, rhythm and surprise, all geared towards releasing more laughter from audiences. You will have space to explore ensemble and solo improvisation in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

Who's it for?

This training works well for professional performers, fun-seekers and people in pursuit of self-development. There's something here for everyone.

Who is this Holly Stoppit?

Well, these days I'm a clown teacher, theatre director and research facilitator. I'm originally from a circus-theatre family. I moved deeper into clown in order to explore the connection with audiences. I've studied with many great teachers, the arts of clowning, fooling, physical theatre, acrobatics, improvisation, eccentric dance, laughter yoga, voice work, mindfulness and am currently studying for an MA in dramatherapy. Phew!

I toured as performer for many years, working in cabaret, street-theatre, circus, theatres and rural touring. My parallel directing career has taken me through solo semi-improvised clown-theatre (Ed Rapley, The Self Trilogy) to large-scale site-specific promenade circus-theatre (The Invisible Circus' Carnyville 2 and 4) and pretty much everything in between. For more details of my work, see my website www.hollystoppit.com

I've been teaching clown for about 6 years. I absolutely love it.

What the people say:

"… a wonderful exploration of letting go of ego! To simultaneously release fear of appearing foolish..., cultivate and sustain intimate connection with an audience, and support and be supported by others to follow what’s working, spontaneously and without attachment is an extraordinary practice. I’m not sure whether the wondrous curiosity and playfulness is another layer to the experience, or the only context in which it can possibly happen, and it doesn’t really matter – it just works, and is totally transformative when it does. And I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in two days in my life."

"Holly is a inspirational, passionate and very, very generous teacher. I recommend this course and would sign up for part 2 in a blink".

-Feedback from the last intro to clown weekender.

Where when how?

Where: Hamilton House, above The Canteen on Stokes Croft
When: 4th and 5th May 2013 10-6 each day
How much? £65-£85 pay what you can
Places are limited. Booking essential.
To book, email [email protected] or phone 07894 015 937

I'm running an introduction to Holly Stoppit-style clowning weekend on 6th and 7th October 2012.

But what will happen?

Well, you will play and play and laugh and play and laugh and play all day for 2 days. And when the weekend is over, you will be a clown.

What sort of playing?

There will be big group games, laughter yoga, playing with your physicality and voice and there will be many games designed to help you playfully explore the connection with yourself and each other. My style of clowning cultivates presence and grows the confidence to share everything that you are, moment to moment with an audience. Clowning is not something you put on, more stripping back to a state of child-like state wonderment, where pleasure and playfulness rule.

Once we've reached the state of clown, I will lead you through a tried and tested progression of technical exercises focusing on timing, rhythm and surprise, all geared towards releasing laughter from audiences. You will have space to explore ensemble and solo improvisation in a safe and supportive environment.

Who's it for?

This training works well for both professional performers (of any discipline), fun-seekers and people in pursuit of self-development. There's something here for everyone.

Who is this Holly Stoppit?

Well, I'm a clown teacher, theatre director and research facilitator. I'm originally from a circus-theatre background, then moved into clown in order to get closer to my audiences. I've trained in clown with Gerry Flannagan, Fraser Hooper, John Wright, Mick Barnfather, Julie Goell, Kevin Brookin, Sue Morrison, Jon Davidson, Jonathon Young, Aitor Bassauri and Amy Rose, I've also trained in fooling, physical theatre, acrobatics, improvisation, eccentric dance, laughter yoga, voice work, mindfulness and dramatherapy. Phew!

I toured as performer for many years, working in cabaret, street-theatre, circus, theatres and village halls. My parallel directing career has taken me through solo semi-improvised clown-theatre to large-scale site-specific promenade circus-theatre and pretty much everything in between.

I've been teaching clown for about 5 years. I love it.

What the people say:

"It’s been a wonderful course, met some wonderful people, felt very comfortable making myself look daft in front of them, and you’re a very fun and inspirational teacher! ... I’ll be back for more."

" I’ve taken part in clown workshops before and found this one very liberating, focusing on communication and spontaneity."

- Recent Folk House Clown School Participants.

Where when how?

Where: Hamilton House, above The Canteen on Stokes Croft
When: 6th and 7th October 10-5 each day
How much? £65-£85 pay what you can
Places are limited.
How do I book? email [email protected] or phone 07894 015 937

All aboard for an epic 2-day journey into the heart of clown, through ensemble play, voice work, body work and laughter yoga. Here is a rare chance to discover and celebrate what is uniquely funny about you.

Through games and exercises, you will:

• Explore laughter and how to extract more of it from audiences.
• Explore playful connection with other humans
• Learn specific clowning techniques (i.e. the mechanics of comic timing, rhythm and surprise) and have space to try them out in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Who is it for?

It's for anyone who needs a bit more laughter in their lives! It works for both professional performers wishing to improve skills and curious enthusiasts wishing to step into a world of laughter.

What previous participants have said:

"Fun, crazy, but educational… it felt really safe and easy”

“Silly, technical, freeing, hilarious, liberating, useful, fun, BRILLIANT!!”

“It’s like 10 years therapy in two days."

“It’s all a bit of a hysterical blur”

But who exactly is this Holly Stoppit?

Holly Stoppit is a professional clown, director and teacher. She grew up in the circus and went on to train with the finest clowns in the world. She performed for many years in circuses, cabarets, streets and theatres and now delights in teaching others everything she's learned along the way. She is also studying part-time for an MA in Dramatherapy.

Have a look at her Theatre Bristol profile to find out more.

When is it?

11th and 12th February 2012
10-5 both days

Where is it?

Hamilton House, above The Canteen on Stokes Croft

How much is it?

£75 / £60 cons

To book a place or request further info:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07894015937
Web page: http://theatrebristol.net/holly-stoppit

Introduction To Clowning Course with Holly Stoppit

As Part of City Of Bristol College's Leisure Short Course programme, Holly Stoppit will be running a 6 week Introduction To Clowning course.

Release your inner clown! Rediscover your desire to play! Learn to laugh at whatever the world throws at you! Celebrate your stupidity with others!

Who is the course for?

This course is open to every body, if you want to relax after a busy day, get to know new people and laugh for an evening why not come along. Holly Stoppit has been a clown all of her life, growing up in the circus and then taking over theatres and street festivals with her anarchic style of clowning, Holly welcomes you to the course and will guide you through the six weeks of Clowning.

What will I do on the course?

This 6 week taster course will introduce you to the world of clown - where mistakes are celebrated and playfulness rules. You will learn to play as part of an ensemble as well as having a chance at solo work.

Here's the link to info about City of Bristol course

http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/coursefinder/CourseDetails_pt.aspx?uiid=286&classid=160&subclassid=160

Here's the nuts and bolts:

Starts: 03/10/2011
Time: 18:30-20:30
Duration: 6 Weeks (half term 24th October)
Course Code: LBEK00747L
Location: Ashley Down Centre /
Fee: £53

To book, phone the college, 0117 312 5000

any questions get in touch with [email protected]

Holly Stoppit
07894 015 937
http://theatrebristol.net/directory/holly-stoppit

In this workshop we’ll explore:

* Laughter – Why do we laugh? How can we laugh more? How can we extract more laughter from audiences?
* Playfulness- How to side step the inner-critic and have more fun?
* Complicite – Learning to play together and support each other as an ensemble.
* Timing, Rhythm and Surprise – The mechanics of comedy.
* Connection – finding an easy connection with other clowns and with the audience.

There will be group games, structured improvisations, laughter, fun and learning. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to expand their skill-base.

“Holly is positive, intuitive, encouraging and treats her group as individuals and makes them all feel special, funny, supported, encouraged in a safe space.” - Sarah Fielding, The Invisible circus

LIMITED PLACES, BOOK NOW!

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07894015937

Webpage: http://theatrebristol.net/holly-stoppit

Holly Stoppit; clown, director and workshop facilitator will be running a 12 week Clown School at the Bristol Folk House on Tuesday evenings from 13th September- 6th December 2011 (half term 25th October).

Release your inner clown. Rediscover your desire to play, learn to laugh at whatever the world throws at you, celebrate your stupidity with others. With lessons in laughter, bewilderment and taking things too far, it’s time to take lightness seriously!

This workshop is ideal for both beginners and experienced performers wishing to explore and expand their skills.

Holly is a very experienced facilitator. She is originally from a circus family and has since taken further training in clowning, fooling, mime, physical theatre, eccentric dance, acrobatics improvisation and laughter yoga. She has worked for companies as diverse as The Invisible Circus (large-scale site-specific circus-theatre), Ed Rapley (solo theatre clown), Circus 2 Iraq (clowns who tour Palestine) and is co-founder of Ramshacklicious Street Theatre Company.

Holly’s work is process-led, responsive, challenging and fun, promoting self-discovery through creative play. Through structured games and exercises, Holly invites workshop participants to safely explore the chaos and beauty of their imaginations, celebrating their own unique creativity.

“Great atmosphere, really positive and supportive and safe”

“Silly, technical, freeing, hilarious, liberating, useful, fun, BRILLIANT!!”

-Recent 2-day Clown and Laughter Workshop Participants

“I loved it, and it was amazing how you managed to put everyone at ease and help us all get so much out of it. It has been brilliant for me both personally and professionally. I'm much more confident using humour and energy in my job, and so much better at engaging with my audience - very important when training and teaching potentially dry subjects. I'm also managing to be more creative for myself, and roll with the punches. You made the learning so enjoyable and easy I didn't notice I was doing it”

-Recent Folk House Clowning Workshop Participant

Limited places, book early to avoid disappointment.

Enrollment is through the Bristol Folk House

Course code:  D22

www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

0117 926 2987