Photo From the last day of the Cool Fool School

I was sitting in the clown workshop when one of the students glanced at me. She and her scene partner had just finished doing a scene for the class. They were at that part of the exercise where the performers discussed the scene they just finished. She paused to think as she looked at me, then pointed to me and said, "I was thinking of the Laban exercise that you mentioned yesterday. I was trying to put some of those ideas into the scene I just did". I smiled; I was pleased to see someone taking the ideas I discussed in the class I taught yesterday to heart. It was lovely to be in an environment where we could discuss these ideas as clowns. It's especially lovely for me because I got to be a teacher and a student this week.

This past week, I've enjoyed attending and teaching at the Cool Fool School in Atlanta, Hosted by the Laughter League. It's been an artistic highlight for me. I'm particularly grateful for the artistic challenge. The workshop challenged my assumptions and complacency, inspiring me to continue working hard to develop new skills and approaches. Attending these classes in a supportive environment with other artists eager to learn and try new things was excellent. This type of work requires a sense of safety and artistic support.

One of the week's highlights was to have so many other African American artists/clowns in the workshop. In the past, I was usually the only African-American artist in these settings. That dynamic sometimes leads to awkwardness when race, culture, and class issues arise. Our clown teams across the country have often been filled with talented people, almost all white. This can lead to a dynamic of a group of white artists working in the settings for those who are often primarily people of color. As a black man, I've always been aware of this dynamic. The Laugher League is being intentional to bring in more artists of color to help address this diversity in our work.

I'm grateful to work with Michelle Matlock over this week. I met Michele at one of the Big Apple Circus conferences around 15 years ago. During the COVID lockdown, I took several Zoom workshops and did a few Zoom shows with her. It was nice to work with her again IRL. I especially liked how the workshops with Michelle this weekend were challenging. It was not easy for me to do some of the things she asked me to do. Sometimes, I didn't do some exercises well; I didn't "get it." I would make mistakes. I'd make a choice I wish I hadn't made. With that said, that's one of the best things about learning and taking on new challenges. One of the best parts of learning is seeing where you need to grow and change. This experience of failure can point to new successes.

I had a great time with Cleo in her movement workshops. The Laughter League invited me to do my movement workshop this week. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share some of the experiences and knowledge I've accumulated over the past 25 years of hospital clowning. It warmed my heart to see some artists and teachers bring up some of the concepts for my workshop.

The past several years in Atlanta have been rocky for our clown team. This is the first page in the next chapter of clowning here in Atlanta. I appreciate the opportunity to teach a workshop.

Many of us know the sting of not being heard or knowing that you have something to offer, only not to have the opportunity to share your knowledge. I've had that experience. I'm incredibly grateful to Tiffany and Dick at the Laughter League for creating this opportunity. It is the first of more opportunities we hope to have to continue exploring clowning here. It was beautiful to have this week of clown optimism and a fresh new start.

Cool Fool School in ATL!