About Our School & Philosophy
At RED NOSE UNIVERSITY , we train performers to create performances that can make people laugh, cry and feel about their character on a deep level – much like we feel when we watch a good movie. A good movie engages all of the emotions and somehow in the process we learn something about ourselves..
Traditional circus clown doesn’t go there. The early silent film comedians sometimes take us there but for a contemporary audience there is a disconnect. Most of Chaplin’s films are a commentary on the time in which he was living, which any good art should do. Although, with today’s present economy, Chaplin films begin to take on a fresh perspective. We like what Cirque Du Soleil is doing with their clowns (at times mysterious, sad, thoughtful and funny) but no real character development.
At RNU we create physical comedy and clown theatre that brings all these elements together, may have no spoken dialogue, and yet captivate an audience. This is one big reason why Red Nose University exists. We feel there is a need today to speak into the troubled times in which we live - enter the Red Nose University performer. They know they are important and have something to share that can change the mind and heal the soul… clown poetry in motion; connecting to both the young and old.
ABOUT FOUNDATION CLASSES
Foundation classes are for mastering physical comedy skills. They may be taken out of sequence. But they are recommended for a robust foundational training for all comedic performance. Without these gained skills the Clown or Comedic Actor is limited in communicating clearly with an audience in their performance. These 6 foundational categories of classes all work together to lay a foundation to build on no matter what performance discipline you apply them to. You can choose to focus on one of these discipline class tracks as there will be multiple class offerings throughout the year or use them all to build your skills as a foundation for Clown Theatre or as a Comedic Actor – which we recommend. Either way we guarantee you will have buckets of fun and laughs learning in these classes.
The 6 Performance Discipline Tracks Are:
MIME
Can be used for a performance discipline unto itself but it is also invaluable skill building in physical comedy, clown theatre and Improv Comedy performance. Mime uses the whole body and reflects emotions through facial expression. Used for actor, comedy improv and clown theatre training.
MASK & MOVEMENT
Can be used for a performance discipline unto itself. It can be performed serious or comedic. We believe it is a foundational skill that trains for body awareness and body expression with out the use of the actors face; for all types of acting and comedic performances.
IMPROV COMEDY
A comic performance discipline unto itself also used for clown and actor training. It can be used to generate new performance material and script writing ideas as well. Think: the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway.
CLOWN THEATRE
An approach to clowning for performance on a stage, street or circus. Mostly performed with no dialogue. We explore, in clown language, “dilemmas”. Clowns solve dilemmas, big and small, humorous and poignant in non-traditional ways. Think: Cirque Du Soleil, Mr. Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Harpo Marks.
PHYSICAL COMEDY
Acting emphasis is placed on the body to move and respond to situations in a comedic way to tell a story. Classes in this discipline track are technique driven emphasizing the very demanding physical side to comedy. Think: “Slap-Stick”, The Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy, Key-Stone Cops and the Marx Brothers.
COMEDIC ACTING
An acting performance discipline unto itself that involves acting with scripts. Think: sketch comedy such as Saturday Night Live, comedy movies, plays and TV Sit-Coms.