Physics of Play:
A Physical Comedy Masterclass
with Summer Shapiro
Sat, April 26 / 11 AM - 2 PM
$125 + early bird discount at $100
What happens when you stop worrying about doing it "right" and start letting the intelligence of your body play?
This 3-hour masterclass explores the physics of play—the nuts and bolts of physical presence, attention, and playfulness - and how to use it to create aliveness in a room. Rooted in the principles of clown and physical comedy, you'll learn the foundational mechanics of comedy: physical authenticity, beginning comedic timing, structures for stage-play, and how the clown's relational awareness—connecting to scene partner, audience, space, and self—generates authentic comedy and compelling performance.
Through structured exercises and playful exploration, you'll get a chance to feel how physical comedy works: the rhythm of a comedic beat, the delight of contrast and the power of being present. You'll practice the core skills of the clown—presence, vulnerability, and the courage to fail beautifully—while building confidence to take risks and let go of perfection.
Whether you're a seasoned performer crafting your next act, an artist looking to unlock more freedom on stage, or simply someone curious about what happens when you let go and lean into the moment, this workshop creates a space to learn fundamental physical skills, and have fun!
You'll explore:
The fundamentals of clown: presence, relational awareness, and vulnerability as technique
The building blocks of a joke: timing, contrast and status
Using your body as an instrument: how to get out of the mind, and into the body (and trust it)
The courage to fail beautifully—and why failure is the clown's greatest tool
Who Should Attend: Clowns, actors, performers, and any human seeking to sharpen their presence and relational instincts through play
About Summer Shapiro
Summer Shapiro is a physical comedian, actor, and director whose work blurs the lines between comedy, movement, and pathos. She began her career creating comedic physical theater in San Francisco and New York, collaborating with artists such as John Gilkey of Cirque du Soleil and Peter Musante of Blue Man Group. During a decade of touring her clown-theater productions, she shaped an expressive, body-centered approach to performance that remains heavily focused on audience play.
Her collaborations with musicians have appeared on screen in Sara Bareilles' iconic Brave music video (directed by Rashida Jones) and Jeff Desom's The Key (shot in Luxembourg for composer Hauschka). Across mediums—stage, screen, and classrooms—Summer aims to uplift, disarm, and reconnect us to the profound mystery and humor of being alive.
Quotes on Summer’s clown work:
“This masterful, sweetly-scathing performer conspired to make the entire audience fall at her feet.”
-Chloe Veltman, lies like truth
“Deft physical comedy.”
-San Francisco Bay Guardian
“A relentlessly charming, overwhelmingly beautiful piece of art.”
-That Sounds Cool, NY
"A brilliant translation of the details of conversant life."
-San Francisco Bay Times
"a kinetic poem"
-Cultural Capitol, NY
Awards Received
Festival Favorite Award Frigid New York
Best of The Best Bay Area Theatre, SF Bay Times
Ticketholder Award for Best Performance, Entertainment Today
Festival Favorite Award Vancouver Fringe
Email Programs@ChurchOfClown.org for code after registering for your first class, or for scholarship/payment inquiries.