Clowning Workshop: Play and Presence

What you'll learn

The Fool’s First Step: Clowning, Play and Presence

Learn clowning, embodied communication and improvisational performance techniques with our performing arts short courses in Sydney!

“The fool is the part of us that steps forward without certainty yet is open, responsive and willing to be seen.” — Alicia Gonzalez

Contemporary clowning isn't about circus tricks, costumes, or telling jokes. It's a playful and engaging practice that uses movement, improvisation, curiosity, and genuine human connection to help you become more present, responsive, and confident.

In this highly interactive Clowning Workshop: Play & Presence, you'll explore how to communicate more authentically through movement, develop confidence in the unexpected, and discover the creative freedom that comes from responding honestly in the moment. Guided by an experienced tutor, you'll participate in a series of enjoyable physical and improvisational exercises that encourage curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Drawing on techniques from physical theatre, improvisation, and contemporary clowning, you'll develop practical skills in presence, timing, listening, collaboration, and embodied communication. Along the way, you'll learn to embrace mistakes as opportunities, strengthen your awareness of others, and discover how play can unlock greater confidence both on and off the stage.

Whether you're interested in theatre, public speaking, facilitation, creative practice, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, this workshop offers a welcoming and supportive environment in which to explore, experiment, and have fun.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Clowning Workshop: Play & Presence, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

Developing presence through movement and physical awareness
Building confidence through play and improvisation
Responding spontaneously and authentically in the moment
Strengthening listening, observation, and communication skills
Understanding the foundations of contemporary clowning practice
Working collaboratively through improvisational exercises
Developing greater awareness of rhythm, timing, and audience connection
Exploring vulnerability, curiosity, and creative expression in performance and everyday communication

Course content

What will be covered in this clowning, play and presence workshop?

Session 1: Arriving in the body

grounding and awareness exercises to support presence
introduction to play through physical exploration
establishing group connection and shared attention

Session 2: The clown state

working with openness, vulnerability and responsiveness
noticing impulses and responding without pre-planning
developing sensitivity to rhythm, timing and audience awareness

Session 3: Improvisation and interaction

responding in real time through movement and gesture
simple improvisation structures focused on clarity and connection
listening and reacting to others with precision and awareness

Session 4: Expression and presence

developing embodied communication and stage presence
working with stillness, timing and focus
short solo and paired explorations with feedback

Session 5: Integration and reflection

consolidating key principles through practice
translating awareness, timing and responsiveness into communication contexts
closing exercises and group reflection

Intended audience

Who is this Clowning Workshop: Play & Presence for?

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and requires no previous acting or performance experience.

It is ideal for anyone interested in theatre, improvisation, creativity, communication, facilitation, public speaking, or personal development. It also offers valuable skills for performers, educators, presenters, and professionals who would like to become more confident, responsive, and engaging in their interactions with others.

Course venue

ReadyMade Works, Ultimo

Course materials

What to bring to class

Comfortable clothing suitable for movement
Closed-in shoes
Water bottle
Notebook and pen (optional)

Learning materials

All activities, exercises, and learning materials are provided during the workshop.

Additional information

Please note the following:

This is a highly interactive, movement-based workshop involving physical participation, improvisation, and group activities.
No previous acting, dance, or clowning experience is required—just a willingness to participate, experiment, and embrace play in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Course tutors

Alicia Gonzalez

Alicia Gonzalez is a Sydney-based performer, director, and facilitator specialising in contemporary clowning, physical theatre, and movement-based performance. She trained at the internationally...

View Alicia Gonzalez's profile

Classes Online Courses

Clowning Workshop: Play and Presence

Sat 1 Aug 2026

1 session, 6 hours total

10am - 4pm (UTC+10:00)

ReadyMade

Alicia Gonzalez

When	Time	Where	Session Notes
Sat 1 Aug 2026	10am - 4pm	Default - ReadyMade

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Clowning Workshop: Play and Presence