2024-10-31

I'm often asked for recommendations for books about clown, mask, and physical theater.

by Keith Johnstone

This is typically the first book on theater I recommend.

Keith's insights into how we play are simply brilliant, and almost every title on the topic that has come since has either built on or stolen from his foundational work.

The sections on "Status" and "Trance Masks" were particularly formative for me.

by Tony Montanaro

The book describes itself as a portable workshop, and it's an accurate feeling. Like the legend, the pocketable edition of Tony's mind is hilarious, full of stories, and will seed ideas which will make you crave phyical exploration.

The concept of "Premise" may be one of the most important ideas in performance.

by John Wright

My sole hesitation in recommending this book is its breakdown of the mechanics of humor is so effective that, like with many dissections, you'll lose something vital and alive in the process of achieving understanding.

by Ton Kurstjens

There's so much good here. Especially memorable is the idea of the difference between "Magnetic" and "Electric" charisma.

Note: This title must be ordered directly from the author. Be smarter than me and remember to ask for a signed copy!

https://www.clownerie.nl

by Tristan Remy

While a somewhat dry read, the introduction includes an excellent history on the origins of what we now know as clown.

by Ezra LeBank and David Bride

This is a collection of interviews with many of the "Kings of Clown", including several of my teachers.

by Sonja Lang

Language is a terrific toy, and we like to play with toki pona in my workshops.

I wrote this about the language's value to the clown:

The reason for an alternate language for clown is that we need something that
is outside our thinking if we are going to allow thoughts from outside
ourselves to happen.

We have to trick ourselves into believing in magic.

People are very rooted in their words. By unsettling that, we get to see the
world differently…as a foreigner.

With toki pona there is also the value in intentional ambiguity.

Much of comedy is built around misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

As is poetry.

by Matthew Butterick

Available online: https://practicaltypography.com

The entire book preaches simplicity, clarity in presentation, and making sure the format always enhances the work. I brought these ideas into my theater lab, and they were well received. They also reinforced the value of seeking out ideas from other sources.

One thing that stuck with me was about reader attention. Butterick said that when you lose reader attention, people put down the book.

When I brought this idea to the theater lab, I joked that, in contrast, when you lose a live audience they can't put you down and walk away in the same way. You essentially become a terrorist, and the audience becomes your hostage.

I told them dramatically, "Don't be a terrorist."