Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth organizes a professional course in clownery as part of the Red Pearl Clown Festival in March 2026.
Course information:
- 4 days (Sat-Tue) 21.3.–24.3.2026
- Classes every day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm* (1 h lunch break)
- Course fee: 235 €, invoices are sent by e-mail before the beginning of the course.
- Teaching in English.
Course takes place in Cable Factory:
- Sat: Zodiak’s B2 studio, 2nd floor (B staircase, access also from A staircase)
- Sun-Tue: Hurjaruuth’s rehearsal studio, 5th floor (A staircase)
*Tue 24.3. at 5 pm there is a possibility to perform in front of an audience. The showcase is held in the Turbine Hall stage in Cable Factory. The workshop participants and the teacher decide about performing. Hurjaruuth provides the stage and staff to the performance if needed.
Enroll in the workshop by filling in this form by Thu 26.2.2026 at the latest: https://forms.office.com/e/2bL9ehwAFb
Workshop participants are selected by the Red Pearl Clown Council.
CALL IT CHARACTER (DON’T CALL IT CLOWN) INTENSIVE
with Deanna Fleysher
Study clown and character with this international master, in this rare workshop!
Want to make your character unforgettable no matter what you’re doing on stage? Want to get laughs and love from the audience in a whole new way? Don’t call it clown, but between us, that’s what it is.
This workshop takes the participant through a journey based in clown and physical theatre to birth/hone an electrifying character rooted deeply in who you are. We will learn about your character’s unique connection to the audience, their mission, and their special brand of vulnerable ferocity.
Connect with your audiences like never before, and make them love you forever.
In this workshop, expect the following:
- The beginning, or the deepening, of a character that is uniquely yours and unstoppably lovable, and actual material you can take out of this intensive and onto a stage
- Personalized feedback (and plenty of it)
- Discovery and exploration of your character’s favorite games and physical/emotional ”sweet spots”
- More understanding of what “stage magnetism” means for you, and how to really harness your performative power
- A deeper connection to and understanding of your audience
- More wildness, more bravery, more vulnerability
- Interpretive Dance
- Laughing a lot.
This workshop is ideal for: Improvisers, clowns, stand-up comedians, actors, movers, and anyone who wants to find/hone their own magnetic, funny and brave personas to play through on stage.
About Deanna Fleysher
Deanna Fleysher aka BIG D (she/any) is an internationally-renowned American comedy artist, clown king, teacher and director. She was recently a semi-finalist on American TV’s KING OF DRAG, the first ever drag king reality competition show. Big D cultivates comedy that is interactive, magnetic and brave, and has toured extensively with the award-snatching solo show Butt Kapinski, new duo show Cineprixx, and has directed/co-created many award-eating touring solo and duo shows from around the world. Deanna’s workshops sell out all over the English-speaking world. She will eat your genius for breakfast. For more info, visit www.dontcallitclown.com and at instagram @houseofbigd.
Red Pearl Clown Festival 20.-28.3.2026, Helsinki
Festival program is published in January!
What participants have said:
”
Deanna is like a sculptor. She molds your talents, quirks and insecurities into a character you can play through.
Estela
”
Deanna creates an incredible environment of trust and honesty which allows you to really go there, to the depths, the weird, dark and zany places. She has a great eye and won’t let you hide or foster old patterns. Sometimes I feel like I’m a child in front of my siblings, free to go wild.
Krista
”
Deanna is uncanny at drawing genuineness and comedy out of every single person.
Andy
”
I am deeply impressed with Deanna’s ability to balance professionalism and organized classes with complete fluidity and a go-with-the flow atmosphere necessary for such intimate and personal explorational work. I just can’t say enough good things. She has an uncanny ability to support each individual’s personal work and journey in whatever way they need in the moment.
Paul