Who?

Barnaby King is a performer, teacher, and researcher, specializing in clowning, comedy, and improvisation. Originally from the UK, he completed an MA in Theatre Studies at Leeds University in 1998, and spent eight years working as a professional theatre director, actor, and teacher at university level. He is currently completing a PhD in Performance Studies at Northwestern University, where his research focuses on clowning practices in Colombia as transformative social performance, in political and economic contexts as well as cultural. He performs and directs regularly, both inside and outside the academic context, as well as teaching workshops. He is also founding director of “Clown Encuentro,” an annual international conference and festival of clowning. His research interests include humor and laughter as political tactics, theatre for development and social change, subversive and transgressive performance forms, politics and culture of Latin America, transnational traditions and histories of clowning.

What?

I create new clown performances, which are relevant, contemporary, and intimately connected with the audience.

I offer workshops which provide an inspirational and transformational journey into the world of the clown, both for experienced performers and complete beginners.

I develop and promote clowning across the world, bringing it to new audiences, and working collaboratively with other artists.