Beyond the Fourth Wall

with Josh Matthews (They/He)

Introduction to interactive performance, audience participation and Clown:

January 26, 2025

1 pm-4 pm

Workshop fee $100

The clown's relationship to the audience is at the heart of what makes this theatrical style vibrant and powerful. Audience participation and interaction is rarely focused on in clown training and this element of performance is so valued when well done. Oftentimes audience engagement is under rehearsed because it is hard to simulate. In this workshop we will explore techniques, methodology and practical skills of working with audience participants, creating interactive characters and creating effective gags, games and bits that use the audience as partners in your performance.

Whether you are looking to bolster your strolling characters or get comfortable working with an audience participant in an act/show this introductory workshop will help in finding connection and laughter while working in the audience.

Attire: Clothing you feel comfortable moving in.

Josh Matthews (They/He) is a teacher, actor, and clown/circus performer. He has traveled around the world with his theater company, Under the Table, performing original physical comedies. Josh Has performed at The Lincoln Center (NYC), The Big Apple Circus (NYC) and Third Rail Projects (NYC) to name a few companies. Josh has been a teaching artist and guest lecturer for the past 25 years, some of the organizations Josh has worked with have been the New Victory Theater, Word For Word theater company, American Conservatory Theater,  Occidental College, Sarah Lawrence College, and New York University. Currently Josh serves as a lead clown and artistic program director for Medical Clown Project.