The Comedy Fix Episode 76 - Clown with Jon Davison
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Oct 5, 2023 
Join clown performer and educator Jon Davison as he shares his journey from actor to clown, revealing the rich tapestry of clowning's definitions shaped by culture and personal experience. He discusses the unique challenges of teaching, opting for exploration over certainty, and how values influence clown aesthetics. Discover the intriguing contrasts between clowning in LA and other cities, as well as the intricate dynamics of improvisation and ensemble work. Jon also reflects on the recent resurgence of interest in clowning, making this conversation both enlightening and entertaining.
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The Clown As The Performer Without A Job
- Davison defines a clown as a person on stage 'without a job' who is illegitimate yet can own the space and interact with actors in surprising ways.
- That instability between role and audience expectation is central to his understanding of clowning.
Teach As Exploration, Not Certainty
- Teach by exploring rather than pretending to have all the answers; run experiments and try things with students.
- Frame classes as guided exploration to give students usable experience instead of fixed doctrines.
Clowning Is Contextual And Plural
- Clowning's practices and meanings change by culture, history and individual values, so a single definition is limiting.
- Performers choose clown approaches based on their aesthetics, politics, and what they want audiences to feel.