The Clown School LA Is Opening Branches In Chicago & The Washington D.C.

THE CLOWN SCHOOL, the Los Angeles-based studio devoted to teaching and promoting the art of clowning and related physical theatre disciplines, is expanding its offerings nationwide. Beginning now and running through 2019 and beyond, The Clown School is thrilled to announce the official opening of new branches in Chicago (IL), Annapolis (MD) and Lorton (VA). The classes in Chicago will be taught by Jeremy Aluma. The classes in Annapolis (MD) and Lorton (VA) will be taught by Mike Funt. Additionally, the School is launching an Online Certificate Training in Clown - the first of its kind in the world.

"It's a great moment of growth for The Clown School," says founder David Bridel. "Our teachers are now living and working in other parts of the USA, and we are delighted to offer our classes in several new cities. In the past, our students and collaborators have had to travel to LA for our training - now they have the option to find our work all across the USA. And for those who can't travel, our Online Certificate offers a unique opportunity to begin the journey from home."

The Clown School offers the highest quality of clown training to clowns, actors, performers, comedians, and participants from all walks of life, including doctors, teachers, healers, film-makers, and students. Classes include three levels of Clowning, plus Mask, Commedia dell'Arte, the Jester, Clown and Music, Sacred Clown, and Divine Clown, as well as classes in Writing and Performance and the new Online Certificate. The School has successfully "graduated" legions of new clowns, including many members of the multi-award-winning company Four Clowns. The School intentionally fosters community and connections between artists and people from different backgrounds, and inspires collaboration and art-making outside of the classroom. The School's classes have been described as "truly spectacular and unforgettable" by LA Stage. Since its founding in 2009, the School has traveled to China, Australia, Turkey, the UK, Japan, and Brazil to spread the gospel of clowning.

"With dazzling joy, irreverence, and wild abandon, The Clown School taught me to be fearless in my work as an actress and composer. They have been able to capture the uncapturable: that thing that puts you in a place of play and wonder." - Helen Slater (actress, Supergirl, singer-songwriter)

"The Clown School truly was a game changer for me. I was pushed, prodded, challenged and playfully and lovingly teased into learning, growing, opening, becoming and being as authentic as possible. I was inspired to create and share from a place of complete freedom and abandon and experienced an abundance of thrills, joys and transformative moments. I witnessed first hand these same effects in my fellow students. I recommend these classes to humans of all shapes, sizes and ages."- Jon Monastero (clown, Cirque du Soleil)

"I cannot offer high enough praise for The Clown School, it's like being hit with a warm pie in your soul and will make you not just a better clown but a better human."- Matthew Gray Gubler (actor, Criminal Minds)

Visit www.theclownschool.com for details, or contact