Playing, Pausing, and Stuff - a day of Clowning Around in response to objects/props/things

Join clowns and creative facilitators Iona May-zing and Mairi-Claire Traynor for this special day of human connection, play and taking time to pause in the 'here and now'. In this workshop you will encounter a range of simple, 'random' objects and get to experiment with what happens when you bring a clowny curiosity, imagination, and practicality to these encounters. When we are clowning around, a simple yellow hoop can transform into a halo, a portal, wings, etc, it can become part of a game that helps us to connect to our play-mates or to an audience, and it can help to practise staying present to see what unfolds, without having to come up with any 'clever' plans. 

Coming to this day of play offers you a chance to pause, notice what's going on around you, and see what happens next. As part of your object encounters, you will be invited into activities that help you to connect with yourself, with others, and with the space around you. These can involve movement, games, imitation, noticing, reflecting, and fancy hats!  There will also be the opportunity to do small clowning 'impros' in front of the other people in the workshop if you feel like it. What emerges might be poignant, engaging, ordinary, and, perhaps, extremely funny.

With a big emphasis on the importance of looking after yourself, we will support you in being guided by your physical and emotional experiences to play as much or as little as you want to. Group size will be limited to twelve to make a comfortable play space.

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to give it a go! This could be because you're curious about being creative through clowning around, because you want a chance to be silly, because you want to bring more play into your professional work or into your life, because you are a performer who is interested in exploring a different mode for being on stage, etc! There is no previous performance or clowning experience required.

I have some spaces available at a reduced rate. If cost is a barrier for you then please contact me via my website (www.clowningaroundworkshops.co.uk/contact-book).

About the Facilitators 

Mairi-Claire Traynor (she/her)

Mairi-Claire is a Scottish facilitator whose path into clowning opened a door she didn’t know she was waiting for. Through the work she rediscovered courage, curiosity, and the joy of being fully herself. She is now on a mission to support others to do the same.

Rooted in Scotland’s culture of humour, heart, and hame-ish connection, her work blends clowning, embodied play, and wellbeing practice. She creates spaces where laughter softens fear, where trying less reveals more, and where people can feel at home in their own skin again.

She is currently completing her clowning facilitator training with Nose-to-Nose and training in life coaching.

Iona May-zing (she/her)

Iona May-zing is a Clowning Around Facilitator and poet based in Norwich. She likes to provide opportunities for participants to play with being themselves, in front of an audience, and without a plan. She is always delighted to see the stories that emerge from play, as if by magic!

Clowning forms a big part of Iona's writing practice. Her poetry collection, 'Breaking Down Loudly' (Verve Poetry Press), uses clowning to talk about grief, family, and friendship and she launched this collection by performing a one-woman show based on her poems.

In another part of her life, Iona has been a Religious Studies teacher in Primary and Secondary Schools. Here, she learnt alot about playfulness, storytelling and providing a space where people are brave enough to 'give-it-a-go' (and often enjoy themselves in the process!). She is currently building on these skills through completing her Clowning Facilitation Training with Nose-to-Nose.

Clowning has brought Iona so much joy over the years and has helped her to get to know herself better. She is eager to share this feeling with others.