A local clown collective in Chico aims to spread joy and show that clowns can offer more than handing out balloons from sewer grates.
Small Town Clowns is bringing its improvised comedy show “Welcome to Clowntown” to Mulberry Music Station on April 25.
Created by Sierra Hall and Emily Einspar, the show is an interactive theater experience that they hope will attract other clowns in the area to collaborate on the art form they fell in love with.
“I'm really just hoping that people are able to open their eyes to this really beautiful, absurd art form, and to kind of restructure what they think even a clown is,” Einspar said.
The idea for the clown collective was sparked by Hall’s and Einspar’s involvement in community arts performances. And they say it’s been in the works for years.
Both Hall and Einspar attended the Church of Clown in San Francisco, a nonprofit theater organization that was founded by experienced director and teacher Dan Griffiths.
Training at clown school showed that the primary objective of clowning isn't necessarily comedy, but rather a focus on the spirit of play, Hall said.
“I think people can have an intuitive sense that they are a clown, but maybe have never known how to channel that,” Hall said. “So I want to say, if you're a clown, come on down to Clowntown.”
“Welcome to Clowntown” hopes to shift perceptions that clowns are only associated with horror movies and children’s birthday parties. Members of the audience don’t need a red nose to join in on the fun, but it’s encouraged.
The show includes art installations, a variety hour and a late-night DJ lineup for dancing.
“I think the kind of clowning that we do is a very unique interactive experience,” Einspar said. “And I'm just really excited for the people of Chico to kind of get to experience it.”
Hall and Einspar expressed gratitude to the community members who helped create this process, including local performers Cassandra Partain from Atalanta Productions, The Nerve's improv instructor Dana Moore and Photographer Troy German.
Those looking to dress up will also receive a discount on the ticket price.
