Clown 100: The Foundations of Clown Play with Mick Holsbeke

Step into the playful world of Clown! Explore presence, vulnerability, and joyful failure through ensemble play and laughter

Welcome to the world of clowning! This foundational class invites you to step into the playful, unpredictable, and joy-filled realm of Clowning with other folks. Through a series of dynamic exercises in presence, play, rhythm, tension, emotional expression, and ensemble play, participants will explore what makes Clown so hilarious and contagious. Embracing vulnerability and the fine art of making mistakes, we’ll turn failure into laughter and endless comic gold. Whether you’re new to performance or a seasoned artist, this series will help you build confidence, take creative risks, and refine your Clown instincts. Come ready to play, surprise yourself, and find the fun in the unexpected!

Class Details

Dates: 3/5/26 thru 4/9/26; Six (6) Thursday classes

Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: The Clown Garage at Improv School Eastside Issaquah

1315 NW Mall Street, Suite 4 Issaquah, WA 98027 (next to the Gaslamp Bar & Grill)

Maximum students: 16

Ages: 18 plus

Cost: $320

Prerequisite: None

Teacher Bio:

Mick Holsbeke is an internationally-renowned Clown with a ravenous appetite for the ridiculous! His unique perspective on clowning, exuberant physical acting, and circus expertise were developed at the École Nationale de Cirque in Montréal and, later, at the Hangar des Mines in France. Mick garnered multiple prizes at the Festival Mondiale du Cirque de Demain in Paris and performed with international companies such as Cirque du Soleil, the 7 Fingers, Cirque Plume, and Teatro Zinzanni, bringing hilarity and comic innovation to hundreds of thousands of spectators around the world.

In 2024, Mick launched The Clown Garage, a school for theatrical Clowning, physical theater, and circus arts, empowering individuals and teams to embrace creativity, play, improvisation, and vulnerability as sources of strength, leadership & joy. Mick's deep knowledge of performance, event production, and leadership development earned him the nickname the "Nimble Rogue" from his peers, a badge of honor that Mick humbly wears with pride.

Note: Attendance at the first session is mandatory, as it sets the tone and foundation for the entire quarter. If you know you will miss the first class, please register for a future session.

What students say

"Mick was such a kind and welcoming teacher. His positive authentic self inspired me to open up more and try new things with techniques." —Tanisha Medina

"Mick is a phenomenal facilitator and educator. Very funny and approachable, creating a safe space for everyone." --Austyn Farrell

Cancellation policy

There are no refunds.