Where the Clown Appears
A 4 day advanced workshop in clown and dance impro.
Ready to take your clown into motion?
If you’ve completed Clown 1-Courage to Be or a Level 1 Clown & Dance weekend, this is your invitation to go deeper.
We’ll dive further into Mettler Dance Improvisation, discovering new ways to move, listen, play and connect. We’ll explore new dance improvisations, with more opportunities for whole-group movement — allowing your own expression, impulses and creativity to flow.
No steps. No routines. No right way to move.
Just an openness to move, connect and discover what happens.
Where the clown appears: Dance can become a playful portal into the clown’s imagination — unlocking possibilities, surprises and connections.
Through unique clown improvisations that call on you to move and dance, you’ll have opportunities to set your clown into motion, develop presence and expand your clown’s movement repertoire.
Who is this for?
You’ll need to have completed Clown 1 – Courage to Be or an intro to Nose to Nose clowning or a Level 1 Clown & Dance weekend.
THROUGH Clowning
We connect to our playful spirit. We develop and sustain in ourselves and each other the courage to be who we truly are, to trust life and ourselves. We befriend the fears that block us from being fully present in the here and now. The path of the Clown is simple, vulnerable and naive reminding us to dance lightly through life.
ABOUT Clowning
Clowning is a state of playfulness that brings us to experience a child-like, naïve and vulnerable state of being. Paradoxically we grow, learn and are strengthened through reconnecting playfully with what makes us most vulnerable. This approach to clowning is not a technique (tricks, gags and routines) but a personal journey towards finding one’s own unique way of being a clown, by listening and being receptive, essential skills for any creative and imaginative expression. It is only when we let go our control over things that we begin to be surprised by the depth of what reveals itself to us.
Dance is for everybody: If you can move, you can dance!
Through dance improvisation, we learn to listen, and allow our dances to emerge organically from within ourselves. We never know what we are going to create, and that is precisely the point! There are no right or wrong ways to move and no steps to learn or remember – every dance is unique. Leaning on exercises developed by Barbara Mettler, we become more aware of the inner impulses that give rise to our movements. When we dance as individuals we listen to our bodies, giving form to what we feel inside. When we dance together, we surrender that individuality so we can listen to the ‘group body’, giving form to what we feel as a collective.
ABOUT Mettler based dance
Believing that dance is a basic human need, Barbara Mettler (1907 – 2002) explored new approaches to both the body as instrument and movement as the material of the dance. Her way of working emphasised individual and group improvisation as a means of cultivating the natural, creative movement resources which are in everyone. Mettler’s pioneering research, exploration and practice of large group dance improvisation is recognised as a ground breaking and unique contribution to contemporary dance. For more information on Mettler Based dance:https://dancecreative.org
Facilitators:
Ali Stockford – Clowning
Ali has been facilitating Nose to Nose Clowning workshops since 2016, teaching across the UK and, more recently, Europe. She holds this work in high esteem as the perfect grounding for all creative work exploring the power of fun, connection and our shared human experience as well as developing theatrical awareness
Drawn to what is authentically funny, moving, and true in each individual, Ali enjoys creating welcoming spaces where people can step into the present moment, take creative risks, and embrace a playful way of being.
A qualified teacher (Université de Lille, France, and the University of Reading, UK), Ali is a former Head of Performing Arts at St Mary’s Special School and College, Bexhill, and is fluent in English and French.
Alongside leading Nose to Nose Clowning Levels 1–5, she has delivered training for the Giggle Doctors at Theodora Foundation, Lis’n Tell Speech and Language Practitioners, Quantum Marketing, and medical students at the University of Bristol. She has also worked as a social clown and facilitator at events including The Imaginarium, ARU Cambridge’s Writers’ Conference, and the ANTITHESES Conference at St Hilda’s College, Oxford.
Beth Maiden – Movement and Dance Improvisation
Beth has always enjoyed dancing, but fell in love with movement improvisation in her 30s. At first practicing solo and in secret (“what is this weird thing I love to do?”) and then finding the courage to move with others (“wow, it’s even better when we do it together!”)
She is fascinated by the the magic that happens when we allow our bodies to move and communicate without judgement. Sometimes silly, sometimes profound, often both, Beth believes dance and movement are powerful ways to listen to those parts of ourselves that don’t get heard in everyday life.
Beth now considers dance improvisation central to her life and wellbeing, and is continually seeking out new approaches to dance to deepen her understanding of this practice. Among others she has studied with Nose to Nose, the School of Disobedience and Cai Tomos, as well as teacher training with Mettler Studios in the US.
Course fee: £440 – Tuition only
Deposit: £150
Accommodation and meals:
Accommodation can be booked directly with the Peredur Centre.
info@peredurcentre.org.uk
01342 312527
Please note that this course is self-catering. There is a pub serving food and a small shop at about 5 minutes on foot from Peredur Centre. The town of East Grinstead is about a mile away with its restaurants and supermarkets.
Date and times:
The course begins Sunday 06th June 2027– Gather at 6.45PM for A 7.30PM start
Ends Wednesday 09th June 2027 September –12.45pm
Venue: https://www.peredurcentre.com
Click here to book or enquire
To book a course follow the link Click here to book… above. You will see on the form whether there are available places. Submit the form with your details and we will let you know how to proceed with payment of your deposit. Your deposit is REFUNDABLE MORE than 2 months before the start of the course. There is a £30 admin fee for refunds. If the course is cancelled your deposit will be refunded in full.
Deposits are paid online.
NOTE: Your place can only be confirmed after we have received your deposit.
Once your deposit has been accepted, we will notify you to confirm your place on the course.
You are booked on the course ONLY when Nose to Nose confirms your place.
If you have questions, email us at nosetonoseoffice@gmail.com
If the course is full you will automatically be added to our waiting list. We’ll let you know when a place becomes available.
MORE INFO CONCERNING COURSE FEE…
Q: Can I talk to someone? A: Yes, just send an email with your phone number to nosetonoseoffice@gmail.com and we’ll call you as soon as we are free to do so.
Q: Are there still spaces available on the course? A: Just click on the link Click here to book… above. You will see on the form whether there are available places.
Q: Can you put me on the waiting list? A: Sure, just click on the link Click here to enquire and fill the form. We will put you on our waiting list and let you know when a place becomes available.