Nose to Nose Clown (Level 1)

Clowning is much more than red noses and laughter. It is a practice of authenticity, vulnerability, creativity, and presence.

This Level 1 course invites you to “take heart” - to discover the courage required to be fully present in the Here and Now. Through guided exercises, improvisation, and playful exploration, you will:

• Reconnect with your natural spontaneity
• Let go of expectations and judgement
• Build confidence and emotional presence
• Explore your creativity with openness and curiosity

Level 1 provides the essential foundation for the entire Nose to Nose approach to clowning and is a required prerequisite for progressing to all advanced levels.

Clowning is accessible to everyone - no prior experience is required.

It is ideal for:

• Creatives & performers wanting to deepen emotional expression
• Educators & facilitators seeking new tools for meaningful connection
• Therapists, carers & healthcare professionals developing presence and empathy
• Business leaders & professionals improving communication and adaptability
• Individuals on a personal development journey seeking authenticity, confidence, and joy

All you need is curiosity and an open heart.

Clowning is a transformative practice that enhances both personal and professional life.

During this course you will:

• Re-discover joy through play and reconnect with your natural sense of wonder
• Build confidence by embracing your unique self
• Strengthen connection with yourself and others through honest, heart-led exploration
• Enhance presence and spontaneity through creative mindfulness

This course creates a safe, supportive, and compassionate space to meet yourself and others with authenticity.

Daily Rhythm:

• Begins: 18:15 on the first day (with supper)
• Ends: 14:30 on the final day (after lunch)

Training Includes:

• Group improvisation
• Clown state exploration
• Movement and embodied presence
• Creative play and spontaneity training
• Partner and ensemble exercises
• Witnessing and reflective practice

This immersive programme builds the foundation upon which all further Nose to Nose clowning levels is based.

Facilitators:

Vivian Gladwell

Founder and director of Nose to Nose, Vivian has led hundreds of workshops internationally since beginning clowning in 1978.

He trained with Bataclown in 1990 and later joined their team as a modern-day Court Jester (Clownanalyst).

He established:

• Nose to Nose UK (1990)
• Nose to Nose North America (2006)
• Fool View, the Social Clowning group

Vivian continues to train facilitators worldwide and research clowning in fields such as education, medicine, conflict transformation, intercultural work and ecology. He holds clowning as a social playground for exploring shared humanity.

Allison Stockford

A facilitator with more than 20 years’ experience in Drama and Performing Arts across mainstream education, specialist settings, and community groups.

Her background includes:

• Café-theatre in Lille
• Street theatre
• Theatre in Education

Alison speaks English and French and sees clowning as a deep practice of creative grounding and personal trust.

Fee (tuition only)

£555

Bursaries

To ensure as many students as possible can attend, Emerson College offers bursaries in some circumstances. If you would like to apply, please complete the bursary form when submitting your course application.

To complete this application, you will need to upload:

• A copy or scan of the information page of your passport (the one with your picture on it)

Completion of Level 1 allows participants to progress to:

• Clown Level 2
• Clown Level 3
• Facilitator pathways within Nose to Nose

Participants often experience:

• Increased confidence and creative freedom
• Deeper interpersonal awareness
• Stronger presence in professional and personal life