I had been looking forward to the Clown trough mask workshop for a long time. I had only little idea what exactly to expect.
The day before the workshop I traveled to Hamburg by train.
I shared an apartment with another workshop participant that was given to us. The owners were on vacation.
The first day of the workshop started slowly. We got to know each other and became familiar with the location. In addition to the organizer, Verena Lohner, two young women, Rashmi and Dani, also assisted.
I thought it was really special and great that right at the beginning of the workshop we were asked not to hold our hands in front of our mouths when yawning. Instead, we were supposed to give ourselves over to yawning. I took that to heart and yawned with my whole body.
In this video here Verena gives an interview about the course:
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On the first day of the workshop, we even inadvertently finished an hour earlier.
I had already noticed before the course that it could sometimes go on until late at night.
On the second day, we started the practical work. We made masks. At the end of the workshop, each participant had finished and painted six masks.
Getting there was a very intuitive process with a lot of visualization.
In addition, this process was very comprehensive and included many steps. I won’t reveal what we did in each step here. Future participants should be able to benefit from the surprise effect of the workshop process.
Before each morning and afternoon session, we played a game. For me, the games were the highlights of the workshop.
A name game to get to know each other was followed by a special highlight. We played a game in a circle that involved the sequence of gestures. What was done in each round was freely selectable.
One person started with something. For example, a wink with a slight cough to another person. This person then passed the impulse on to the next person. In the first round, everyone raised their hand. When they received the impulse, they put their hand down. This made it clear which person had not yet been involved. My favorite gesture in the game was the farting Buddha. With your hands you formed a small roof over your head. By bending both knees to the side, you squatted slightly. To do this, you made a farting noise with your mouth. The game became really fun and hectic when several gestures were passed on at the same time. The aim of the game is to let as many gestures as possible run around in a circle at the same time. The name: “Game of Many Things” is appropriate. The first days of the workshop were manageable. The workshop ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In a creative process, we developed the basis for our masks. Due to the extensive basic work, the first days were structured in a similar way. After a few days, another step was added to the production of the masks.
This meant that the days also got longer.
My longest day lasted until about one o’clock in the morning.
Two of the participants ended the workshop early. An appreciative group bond developed among the other participants.
Twice most of our group went out to eat together in a restaurant. And twice we prepared something in the small kitchen in Wiese eG, which we then ate in the back yard.
We also went to an improvisational theater show by Steife Brise together. Steife Brise organizes the Clown through mask workshop. They also offer improvisational theater shows and courses.
As the course progressed, the masks were gradually completed. A turn was developed for each mask. So it was actually a two to three minute performance as a clown.
However, the longest turn we had lasted over 9 minutes.
During my first turn I wanted to spill water. Because I thought I couldn’t wet the floor, I pantomimed water. Much to my surprise, Verena wanted me to use real water.
One lesson was that pantomime is synonymous with lying.
At first I was very reluctant to wet the floor. But after the instruction I did it. And that was great fun. Being a child again and getting everything wet without inhibitions. The assistants came straight away with towels to dry it off again.
Three days before the end we had finished all the masks. The last turns were also done.
From then on the workshop relaxed again.
In the meantime, some participants were busy for several hours before and after the workshop.
With a ritual, the five of us participants were born as clowns. We had finally made it. Now we were real clowns.
We celebrated with cake and snacks, of course.
Now we were ready for our birthday party.
Each of the participants performed at least one routine.
In the video you can see my routine at the birthday party.
The audience were former clown course graduates. Relatives and friends could also be invited.
We ate and drank together. Music and a fun game in a circle were also not to be missed.
The next day marked the end of the clown through mask workshop.
You can read more about me under “About me”.
I would be delighted if you shared your thoughts on this article or your own experiences in the comments!
I would also be delighted if you shared what moves you, what resonates with you or what comes alive in you when you read these lines.
To round up the morning we did a little bit of exercises, mostly in pairs.
Especially I liked the drawing with the flashlight (see above in the center) that made it very clear. Also I liked the triade in the morning. Three people came together and shared about everything what is in their mind and body right now or which important things came up. The verbal taboos (above on the right) made me aware much more of the wording that I use. Especially the word “but” I used far too often.
