We’re all a part of it, (yes, even you) but what are we going to do about it? Come watch as a bunch of clowns try, and keep trying, to come together as things fall apart. This show explores how we attempt to build community and how we deal with our own mess and other peoples’. How do you keep trying even when you’re so dang tired? There will be music, singing, dancing, and silliness performed by individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, and yes, quite a bit of mess.
Inspired by our explorations during the Fall 2021 Examining Clown Lab and devised in residence at Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre in the Spring of 2023. Performed April 6 and 7, 2023 at the cell theatre.
Running time: one hour. For audiences 13+
Production photos by Sean Barry
Devised by Ania Upstill, Aya Tucker, Julia Cavagna, Julia Proctor, Kevin Allen, Lex Alston, Nadav Wiesel, Rachel Resnik, and Sophie Amieva
Performed by Ania Upstill, Aya Tucker, Julia Cavagna, Julia Proctor, Kevin Allen, Lex Alston, Nadav Wiesel, and Rachel Resnik
Sound Design by Lex Alston
Stage Managed by Francesca Piccioni
Kevin Allen (he/him) is a New York City-based actor & writer. He’ll co-star as Principal Isaacs in the upcoming feature film, Fakes. Kevin was the understudy for Dad/Obama in the national tour of Jabari Dreams of Freedom. As a writer, Kevin is a member of the Writers Guild of America, a Black List quarterfinalist & a Big Apple Film Festival semifinalist. When not writing or performing, Kevin teaches Iyengar Yoga to adults & children. Kevin would like to thank his fellow ensemble members, Clown Gym, his wife, Brooke, as well as his family & friends for their love and support. kevinjallen.com
Lex Alston (any) is a NY based performing artist and teaching artist. Lex has the honor of being a Laugher League pediatric healthcare clown, a member of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Clown Alley, and a circus arts instructor with Bindlestiff’s Cirkus After School. A longtime Clown Gym fan, Lex is so honored be a supporting member of the clown gym team.
Sophie Amieva (she/her) Praised by the New York Times for “display[ing] a fine talent for comedy” Sophie is a physical actor and Butoh dancer. She has performed with renowned companies like Philippe Genty Company, N.T.U.S.A, International Wow and was a member of La Grappe Bouffon Company ( Street theater collective). She has been teaching Bouffons and Physical Theater internationally and as adjunct professor at NYU Tisch for 15 years. Sophie is the director of notAmuse Theater whose mission is to debunk mythologies and narratives used for over 4,000 years to control bodies and behaviors.
Julia Cavagna (she/her) is an Argentinian actress, director and dramaturge. As a director, she released: O.Y.A., Sentimiento González is da Bomb! (Undiscovered Countries, Boog City), MALALA (NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival) and Prácticas Materiales (JACK Artist Residency at Governors Island 2021). In 2016 she was part of Patrice Chéreau’s Elektra and in 2023 she worked with Simon McBurney’s Die Zauberflote (Metropolitan Opera). She co-founded: Lampazo Group, Las Pibas Theater Company, and THEATER TO THE PEOPLE. She is member of Broken Box Mime Theater.
Francesca Piccioni (they/she) is a graduate of University of the Arts (Acting ’13) and has performed in both theatre and film. They fell in love with clown through the lens of Pochinko and connected with Clown Gym in 2019. In the last two years, they have taken a break from performing to pursue a career in personal training. They love stage managing and supporting the artists of Clown Gym.
Julia Proctor (she/her) is an educator, collaborator, and community builder. She is the Founding Director of Clown Gym and a Co-Founding Producer of PhysFestNYC. She loves devising, directing, and performing smart, funny, and innovative theatre. Training includes Middlebury College BA, the Academy for Classical Acting MFA, Ecole Philippe Gaulier, The PIT, and an apprenticeship with Christopher Bayes. Julia’s a member of Actors Equity and has performed at The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, Synetic Theatre, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, among others. Julia teaches Physical Acting at NYU’s New Studio on Broadway and was Beanie Feldstein’s personal Clown Coach for the Broadway revival of Funny Girl.
Rachel Resnik (she/her) is a producer and comedian who has toured her solo comedy shows internationally. She holds a certification in physical theater from The School for Theater Creators, based in Padova Italy where she studied under the late, great Paola Coletto. She has also trained with Phillipe Gaulier. In addition to Production Managing for Clown Gym, she is a former Board Member of The Pack Theater, and is currently the Vice President on the board of Hub City Opera.
Aya Tucker (she/her) holds an MFA in Lecoq-Based Actor Created Theatre. Her original clown act, Kiki and Ted, was nominated for The NY Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards (Audience Choice Best Clown Act). She has performed in London and NY, including Hold Music (Sightline Arts; The NY Innovative Theatre Awards nominee for Outstanding Performance Art Production). Aya is a certified Lucid Body instructor and a healthcare clown for Laughter League. Originally from Japan, her mission is to make acting/clown training accessible to all, with self-care, compassion, and playfulness.
Nadav Wiesel (he/him) is a NY based Israeli multidisciplinary theater artist, composer, lyricist and performer. Wiesel has performed in Scurry at Lincoln Center, and the Emperor’s New Clothes with New York’s Children’s Theater. He has toured with a cabaret of his music, Funny Little Heartbreaks in the US and Israel. As Composer-Lyricist, his works have been staged in Israel, New York and across Europe. His works include The Femme Fatale Show, The House by the Lake, and One Night in the Palace Escorial. Nadav is an advanced member of the BMI Musical Theater writing Workshop and a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Theater Arts department.