Ever wonder how alt-comedians like Sarah Squirm, Nathan Fielder, or Eric Andre build bits that are both absurd and successful? Do you want to command a room with ease and win over any audience? Clown, a foundational form of physical comedy, is a tool that can elevate your performance into the next dimension.

In Clown Level 1, you’ll unlock the mechanics of physical comedy and learn to perform without a fourth wall. We leave the red noses and makeup behind, focusing instead on building a grounded stage presence and an authentic audience connection. Whether you are a stand-up refining consent-forward crowd work, an improviser building bigger worlds, or a storyteller seeking deeper vulnerability, clowning is the secret ingredient for making a performance that is uniquely yours. By revealing your true self on stage, you’ll turn your personal vulnerability into a universal connection.

Through playful games inspired by Lecoq, Gaulier, and Lucille Ball, you’ll learn to bomb joyfully, take bigger risks, and find brilliance in the mess.

In this class, you’ll learn more about:

Instructor Bio: 

Alice Gillette is a performance artist and clown who’s known as one of the artists making Denver “an incubator for new work” in alt-comedy (Colorado Public Radio). She’s the co-founder and producer of Idiot Theatre, Denver's first indie clown show, and has performed her solo show, Meat Show in Space, all over the United States, including most recently at the Elysian Theater in Los Angeles. Her work has been described as a standout example of absurdity by Denver Westword, and a force to be reckoned with in alt comedy by Out Front Magazine. As a director and instructor, Alice works with people to make things with brave absurdity. This approach focuses on taking what makes you special on the inside and using play to radiate it outwards to the audience. She teaches that owning the stage means showing your true, vulnerable self, which is one of the most grounded ways to connect with the audience and create immense joy for others.

Alice’s process is consent-forward, ensuring every student explores their boundaries with respect and at their own pace. Her methodology is informed by her training with The Idiot Workshop, Cassie Ahiers, Chad Damiani and Anne Zander.

Financial Assistance

We understand that financial circumstances can sometimes make participation challenging. Please know that your presence, voice and contributions are valued here, and we are committed to making our programs as accessible as possible.

We have a few ways to help folks experience our classes. First off, all of our volunteers can take up to one full level class every term. Our volunteers learn positions at the theater and agree to a regular schedule at either our box office, tech booth, or our HM position which helps get the shows started on time. If you have a skill or trade or item that could be of benefit the theater, we're open to talking to you about it. We also offer payment plans for more flexibility, look into them at check out.

If those options aren't helpful, we offer an inclusion scholarship that will help Rise best reflect Denver. If you feel that you have a perspective and experience that Rise could benefit from we offer scholarships each term for our leveled classes. Apply below.

Link to Scholarship Program: https://risecomedy.com/rise-comedy-inclusion-scholarship/

If you have circumstances beyond these options or would like more details on any of them please reach out to [email protected] with the subject "Financial Assistance"