Clowns & Masks

In a world divided between red noses and full-face masks, difference can spark curiosity, attraction...or conflict. Created and directed by acclaimed maestro of clowning Eli Simon, this original work brings two wildly divergent theatrical tribes face to face: the vulnerable, unruly world of red-nosed clowns, and the strange, sculptural world of traditional full-face masks. What begins as an encounter with the unfamiliar quickly becomes a playful and poignant exploration of how we respond to those who navigate the world differently — and how easily fear can turn to conflict, or connection can turn to love. Simon — author of The Art of Clowning and Masking Unmasked and creator of Clownzilla: A Love Story, Clown Aliens and the international War of the Clowns saga — has spent decades using physical comedy, clowning and masks to explore and illuminate deeply human questions behind the laughter. In this newest collision of fantastical worlds, silliness and spectacle give way to something universal: when confronted with difference, do we build a wall...or fall in love?