Join us for "The Heart of Performance," a one-day workshop where we celebrate vulnerability and authenticity to unlock your most magnetic stage presence. Through an immersive exploration of the fun and real aspects of performing, participants will not only hone their comedic skills but also leave empowered to captivate and connect with their audience like never before.
Natasha Mercado is an actress, director, producer, writer and theatre arts educator— but always a clown. You can see her on Adult Swim, Amazon, HBO, TBS and stages across LA. She created “Send in the Clowns”, the first monthly clown show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and is touring her award-winning solo show “Tree” —which was called “one of LA’s Top Ten Shows” and “a must see” by Stage Raw and the Times Colonist. She is also a teaching artist for the Unusual Suspects who's mission is to champion those most needed to be heard by mentoring youth to write and perform their stories by using theater. She has virtually taught adults and children at Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre along with a workshop called “Playful Mindfulness” sponsored by the National Alzheimer’s Association to implement improv into the world of caregiving. In 2020, she was named an “Emerging Content Creator” by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. She was a director and producer for branded events at UCB and brought customized comedy programs to groups across the country including improv, sketch, storytelling and public speaking intensives.
Student reviews:
"Natasha’s Soft Clown™️ challenged me and began the process of liberating my most genuine inner artist. She has an uncanny ability to foster a beautiful, curious space, while also facilitating folks to take risks and explore the depths of their vulnerability/ humanity in genuinely playful ways. Equipped with the tools to bridge the gap between audience and performer, I left the workshop with a short clown piece I’m proud to put up and continue to devise."
-Alyssa Klein
Anytime clown comes into conversation, I find myself immediately raving about Natasha Mercado and recommending The Soft Clown Workshop. It was my first experience clowning and I left the two-day intensive feeling reinvigorated as a performer/ comedian/ clown/ person. And as a highly sensitive person, I really loved the soft approach. I mean, I have thick skin, but I am still veryyyy in touch with my thin skin. Natasha creates such a fun environment where it feels safe to be vulnerable and silly or whatever you want to be. Learning from Natasha, I’ve become a more connected, confident, and curious performer. I could go on and on, and I will if clowning comes into conversation.
-Chad Fisher
