UI theatre students shed inhibitions as they step into the world of clown

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Written by: Taylor Edelle Stuart
Image Gallery

"Follow the nose," Professor Paul Kalina says to advanced undergraduate acting students in the course Movement Styles: Clown (THTR:3160), which offers insight into and experience in the art of clowning. 

Easier said than done, this process takes students on a unique journey that involves diligence, introspection, and failure in order to uncover their own clown personas. Students were surprised to find that this course is not “all laughs"; sometimes the process of fighting inhibitions and discovering what will engage an audience is excruciatingly frustrating. 

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Clown class in a circle around professor Paul Kalina
Professor Paul Kalina at the center of a circle of theatre students.
Colorfully dressed theatre students dance as Paul Kalina, dressed in black, observes.
Theatre student in a bright blouse wearing a red clown's nose dances.
paul kalina moving during class
Student dressed colorfully and wearing a bright red nose laughs.
Professor Paul Kalina laughs at two students presenting a mimed clown skit.
Theater clown movement class