Finally returning to my roots after 3 years of writing, workshopping, rewriting, performing, rewriting, taking on the road, rewriting, and finally licensing my one man one act Christmas play The Santa Class to the New York production company Entertainment Events Inc... I am now available again for teaching at Alley meetings, seminars and workshops. Here is a current listing of topics I would love to share with clowns, ballooners and family entertainers. Oh... what the heck, if you are not one of these and need a fun speaker for your business or civic group function... give me a call.
The CLOWN Star- This lecture highlights the main points from the book The Clown Star. The presentation includes 5 points (the star) that lead you toward continual progress in clowning; no matter if you are a beginner or an old vet, all the points continually apply. Serious clown entertainers often ask how they can get better, and how to keep it fun and alive and continually a challenge. This lecture (and the book) specifically address this desire with 5 points of continual progress.
SMILE: The essence of Clown Character Development- Much like the structure of The Clown Star, this lecture covers the 5 major areas of work... and I do mean work!... that need to be addressed in the development of a unique, compelling, comic character that will command attention from loving audiences.
Musical Clowning- How to add music and song and dance to your comedic performance even if you can't play anything other than a radio, sing like a bullfrog, and move like a wounded duck. Truly, the epitome of clowning... always with you, and entertains all ages. The Alphabet Variations- Taught like a choral class... I teach (time permitting) up to 10 variations of the alphabet. Come prepared to sing and laugh and learn... there will be plenty of all 3 to go around. WARNING: No sitting back and watching allowed! Participation is mandatory! These bits are sure attention and laugh getters and require no props, instruments, musical knowledge or even a good singing voice. Actually, having a really lousy voice is funnier!
Magical Evolution- First, I teach the most "exposed" magic trick in the history of magic and then teach how to perform it as a fresh perplexing trick, and then teach variations of the exact same trick that will fool even those who know (or think they know) the trick. Every hospital clown who visits teens should know this trick! The "evolution" is taking a simply understood trick and seeing it evolve into something of real fascination. There are further evolutions of this trick that are separate magical products... but the simplest application of the trick is good for 99% of situations.
How to make YOU more valuable than your balloons- I have presented this lecture to hard core ballooners in the centers of serious ballooning, the Millinneum Jam in Belgium as well as at Twist and Shout in California. The first question is "Why." Why you need to be more important than your balloons. This is for people who take seriously the art of balloon performance and get frustrated with being stuck in a corner as a balloon machine for an unquenchable demand. Techniques, Tips and Tricks Of The Trade- This is one of the most successful balloon classes I teach because it gets to the heart of all the little things that prevent progress in learning and doing ballooning. Covers a wide variety of topics and nobody leaves until all the specific personal problems are addressed. This is where I get the most grateful, thankful students... and that is a fabulous feeling!
10 Balloons every ballooner should know- 3 categories of Quick and Impressive balloons taught here 1) balloons they think they know how you are going to do it but you make it better than they imagined. 2) balloons they ask for but don't think you can do it, and 3) balloons that get laughs, praise and admiration. NOTE: This is designed as a hands on 3 hour class. It can be a quicker class with less hands on time. NOTE 2: I have a video of this class available for sale afterward for those who like to relax during the class... and you know who you are!
Singular Sensations!- The best things I make using one (1) 260 balloon. One! You won't believe just how much one balloon can do! WARNING: This is not a lecture for beginners! In order to get the most you can out of one balloon you have to have full command of the basics of balloon twisting. There are some advance techniques involved!!! The designs include (time permitting) a frog, a cobra, a hippo, a koala, a tiger, a bird, a squirrel, a brontosaurus, a rhino, a pig, an elephant, and... the only balloon I will make for very little kids.. an unpoppable caterpillar. NOTE: I have a video of this class available for sale afterward for those who like to relax during the class... and you know who you are!
{Fill In The Blank}- What do you want me teach? Ask! I've taught a lot of other lecture titles over the years depending on the specific requests. There are some things that I absolutely do not teach, and I have no problem declining. Got a question? Drop me a note!
Prices upon request and depend on travel and lodging variables unique to each locale. Contact: 919-682-3288 (Durham, NC) or e-mail: mrrainbo1@aol.com