CLOWNING & NONSENSE

with Daniel Maseda

Description

Some clowns don’t speak. Others can’t help but run their mouths. In this experimental clown workshop, we will explore absurd language as an avenue for play and discovery. Through clowning games and improvisational exercises that use invented words, dubbing, translation, babbling, and sound effects, we will explore what special kinds of fun can emerge when we turn our legibility down to level zero while keeping our dignity turned up to level 10. How fun can it be to make no sense?

Open to performers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Participants will be given on-the-fly feedback throughout the workshop, while also being asked to work quickly and embrace moments of uncertainty—so the more ready you are to dive in, the more we can play, fail, and discover together as a group. Come mess around!

Bio

Daniel Maseda is a performer and teaching artist from Washington, DC who makes ridiculous work. He is currently touring his show “BE GOOD!” WITH PAULETTE, which played at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe (★★★★, Pick of the Fringe) and was awarded the inaugural Fringie for best Clown performance at the 2025 Philadelphia Fringe. He is a graduate of École Philippe Gaulier.

Info

Date: Sat 1/31/2026

Doors: 10:30am

Time: 11am-3pm

Cost: $60/70/80

Capacity: 10-15 participants

Ages: 16+ due to potentially explicit language

Elevator Entrance: Enter the street entrance for The Rockwell / Saloon – Before going down the stairs, THERE IS A DOOR ON THE RIGHT that says “ELEVATOR ENTRANCE” in small white letters. Enter into the mailroom and there is an elevator. Take that to “B” for BASEMENT. Proceed out of the white and wood foyer past the coat racks to the HOST STAND. Proceed right for The Rockwell and left for Saloon.