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Clown Week in Montreal, The Workshop

Clown Week in Montreal, The Workshop

I recently had the opportunity to attend a three day workshops, a clown festival, and a clown conference in Montreal. The experience was nothing short of exhilarating and eye-opening. I am always looking for ways to enhance my skills, connect with fellow performers, and stay updated on the latest with what's happening in the industry. I will mention more about the clown festival, conference, and other posts. Here, I will focus on the workshop I took the first three days of my week in Montreal.

Art, Clowning, ActingMeredith GordonMay 6, 2024Comment

Cool Fool School in ATL!

Cool Fool School in ATL!

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

Clowning, Afro-American Issues, Hospital Clowning, Racial IssuesMeredith GordonMarch 3, 2024Comment

Clown Workshops with Emory University Woodruff Scholars

Clown Workshops with Emory University Woodruff Scholars

I've done this trick many times before. This time, however, I'm doing it in front of about 100 full-ride scholarship college students from Emory University. I asked them to count from 10 to 1 in a language they chose. As the students count down, I balance a chair on my face for their entertainment.

Art, ClowningMeredith GordonJanuary 16, 2024Comment

Squeeze goes to the Opera

Squeeze goes to the Opera

Over the past few months, I've enjoyed playing in a different playground. I got the clown around with the Atlanta Opera. Doing this work was a special treat for me. It was my second opportunity to work with the Atlanta Opera.

Clowning, Art, MusicMeredith GordonNovember 15, 2023Comment

Who let the dogs in the hospital?

Who let the dogs in the hospital?

At first glance, she looked like she is in her 60s. She was lying in her bed with a look of stoic unease. I often see this look on the faces of adults in a way that I don't see in children. A sense of fatigue and weariness is unique to adults. dr. tiny, and I carefully approached

Art, Clowning, Hospital Clowning, MusicMeredith GordonJuly 14, 2023Comment

CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS USA, TURKEY EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR TOUR DAY 5 OF SHOWS

CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS USA, TURKEY EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR TOUR DAY 5 OF SHOWS

After another show today, a group of young girls began to crowd around me. Music was playing, so I took out my spoons and started playing them on my hand and leg. As the girls saw this, they began to step closer to me.

Art, Clowning, Clowns w/out Borders, MusicMeredith GordonMarch 27, 2023Comment

CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS USA, TURKEY EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR TOUR DAY 4 OF SHOWS

CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS USA, TURKEY EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR TOUR DAY 4 OF SHOWS

The older folks sat on the sidelines and laughed and smiled. The young adults sat closer to the children to tend to their needs. The children paid close attention to the show and quickly interacted with us.

Clowning, Clowns w/out Borders, MusicMeredith GordonMarch 26, 2023Comment

I will not go quietly.

I will not go quietly.

Clowns are known for not following the rules. It's one of the things we expect from clowns. Following this tradition is something we do in the hospital constantly. As medical clowns, we take the medical aspects of our work seriously. We are trained to function in the hospital as we do our work. That said, we are still clowns. We still find some norms to break as we follow medical regulations.

Clowning, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonFebruary 7, 2023Batch 3 Comments

Remembering Vincenzo

Remembering Vincenzo

Vincenzo Tortorici, a friend, and clown, passed away 10 years ago this August. He was an actor, musician, clown, and overall wonderful artist. Looking back on his passing, I can't help but ponder how so many things are different now compared to how they were when he died. I'm also aware of what remains the same.

Clowning, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonAugust 30, 2022Batch 3 Comment

"It's All Right"

"It's All Right"

I'm always looking for new material to perform in the hospital. Usually, some of the better musical material are things right under my nose, everyday things, or songs I grew up with. It's just a matter of finding the right piece and seeing the opportunity to use it.

Clowning, Afro-American Issues, Hospital Clowning, Racial IssuesMeredith GordonJuly 21, 2022Batch 3 Comments

Onward, Sudden and Suspended at HCIM

Onward, Sudden and Suspended at HCIM

The room was full of bodies moving, of people responding to the cues I gave them. They moved eagerly, without reservation. They followed the cues I gave them, each person interpreting the instructions in their way. It was like a room full of people doing the same dance, yet each person had a unique version of the movement. We were suddenly moving together. Suspended in a moment where all that mattered was our movement. We moved, experienced, learned, and shared our experiences.

Art, Clowning, Clowns w/out Borders, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonJune 2, 2022Batch 3 Comment

From our clown rounds in Columbus

From our clown rounds in Columbus

In the morning dr. tiny and I approached one of the hospital rooms. Inside the room were an eight-year-old girl and her mother. Seeing us, the girl called out. She said, "Hey, are you clowns"? We, of course, said, "yes." The girl was surprised to see us, and she asked if we were "really clowns."

Clowning, Art, Hospital Clowning, MusicMeredith GordonMay 27, 2022Batch 3 Comments

Teaching a Workshop

Teaching a Workshop

I was so happy when I looked at the screen. There were about 25 small squares on my computer. Each square had a person waiting to take the class. Some looked back at me, waiting to begin. Others were going about their business eating, stretching, or playing on their computers, It was an early Monday morning, and I wanted to start with something energetic

Clowning, Acting, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonApril 8, 2022Batch 3 Comments

Trailblazers

….Sydney Poitier and Helen Donnelly were trailblazers creating new paths, moving us forward to a new normal. Both authentically shared their work with us. We are better because of their art and their lives.

Art, Clowning, Afro-American Issues, ActingMeredith GordonJanuary 8, 2022Batch 3Comment

Blast from the past… looking forward to the future.

My nostalgia has led me to stumble across some pictures of our work. Mainly photos with Vincenzo Tortorici. Vincenzo was with me when I began as part of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit. He was instrumental in helping us establish hospital clowning in Atlanta. I always enjoyed working with him…

Clowning, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonSeptember 8, 2021Batch 3Comment

Clown Time at the Hospital

A few notable moments from my most recent day clowning at The Children's Hospital Piedmont in Columbus, Georgia, with dr. tiny, a.k.a. Ron Anglin. Ron is doing an excellent job of organizing and maintaining our clown presents in Columbia. …

Clowning, Hospital ClowningMeredith GordonAugust 25, 2021Batch 3Comment

The Music Continues.

Healthcare clowning has always been close to my heart. Over the years, I've watched some programs begin working with adults and eldercare populations.

Eldercare clowning is especially close to my heart because of my experience with my mother, Florence Gordon. Mom played the piano at church. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom playing the piano at church in my hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee. I would sit in the pew during church services and watch mom…

Art, ClowningMeredith GordonJuly 29, 2021Batch 3Comment