Contemporary clowning

Clowning is highly visual with an extensive use of costumes, makeup and props that are largely absent from the other popular styles of live comedy performance of improv and stand-up. In addition, clowning is notably less verbal than stand-up, improv or sketch with a notable use of silence as a technique. Clowning is distinctive for its lack of a fourth wall, featuring high audience engagement. Clowning also emphasizes vulnerability as a way for the performer to connect with the audience, as well as the development of the performer's individual voice. Some performers have cited they were drawn to clowning because of the flexibility and lack of rules in the experimental form, in contrast to improv or sketch, which have become more rigid in format as the disciplines have matured. ==Schools==

While traditional clown schools like École Philippe Gaulier in France have drawn students from around the world for decades, regional programs like the Lyric Hyperion, The Clown School and the Idiot Workshop have made Los Angeles a regional hub for clown education. ==Notable performers==

in 2024 Many of the top awards and nominations at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have gone to clown performances in recent years. Among the fringe winners is Natalie Palamides, who won a Total Theatre Award in 2018 with Nate: A One Man Show that was later produced for Netflix by Amy Poehler. Many alumni of the École Philippe Gaulier have become notable actors, directors, and comedians. Alumni practicing as clowns include Masli, Zach Zucker, and Phil Burgers. Clown and performance artist Alex Tatarsky has toured their solo clown shows Sad Boys in Harpy Land, which ran at Playwrights Horizons in 2023, and Americana Psychobabble, which had stops at the Edinburgh Fringe and at Jacob's Pillow. Tatarsky was included in the 2024 Whitney Biennial. == References ==