The Vulnerable fool: Clowning and Embodied Play

£450.00 £500.00

A 4 day residential workshop in the Polish mountains with Henry Maynard and Matej Matejka

Dates :

16-21 September

16 arrival, 21 morning departure

Location:

Dom Rzeźbiarza w Gaju - Google Maps

Description:
This workshop invites performers, movers, and seekers of authenticity to explore the delicate and powerful intersection between clowning, physicality, and vulnerability. Co-led by renowned clown practitioner Henry Maynard and movement director Matej Matejka, the workshop offers a rich environment where playfulness, presence, and emotional honesty converge.

Through a blend of clown technique, ensemble games, and deep somatic explorations, we will awaken both the inner child and the witnessing body – cultivating spontaneity, relational awareness, and the courage to be seen.

Core Themes:

Embracing vulnerability as a creative force

Accessing playfulness and naïve presence

Clowning as a path toward healing and authenticity

Building ensemble trust and mutual support

Embodied exercises to connect with emotion, impulse, and imagination

Led by:

Henry Maynard (clowning masterclasses, solo and duo work, direct audience interaction) Bio here

Matej Matejka (physical theatre, breath and awareness work, somatic integration, ritual structure) Bio Here

Workshop Structure :

Day 1-4: Awakening & Encountering

Body activation and arrival (guided somatic awareness, grounding, playful stretching)

Ice-breaking games focused on presence and spontaneity

First steps into clowning: “The Look” – learning to be seen and not to hide

Day 2–3: Clown & Audience

Clown exercises with Henry:

Chair Game (status and reaction)

Group Storytelling with Audience Hands Raised (learning to listen and adapt)

Working with failure, flop, and staying present

Individual stage time: embracing risk, developing the authentic clown state

Parallel Threads with Matej:

Physicality labs: movement improvisation, internal landscapes, breath, impulse

Reflective practices: journaling, silent walking, body-mapping of emotional states

Duo and group movement: cultivating trust, empathy, and connection

PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LINKED HERE

by purchasing a ticket you are confirming that you have read and understood them

A 4 day residential workshop in the Polish mountains with Henry Maynard and Matej Matejka

Dates :

16-21 September

16 arrival, 21 morning departure

Location:

Dom Rzeźbiarza w Gaju - Google Maps

Description:
This workshop invites performers, movers, and seekers of authenticity to explore the delicate and powerful intersection between clowning, physicality, and vulnerability. Co-led by renowned clown practitioner Henry Maynard and movement director Matej Matejka, the workshop offers a rich environment where playfulness, presence, and emotional honesty converge.

Through a blend of clown technique, ensemble games, and deep somatic explorations, we will awaken both the inner child and the witnessing body – cultivating spontaneity, relational awareness, and the courage to be seen.

Core Themes:

Embracing vulnerability as a creative force

Accessing playfulness and naïve presence

Clowning as a path toward healing and authenticity

Building ensemble trust and mutual support

Embodied exercises to connect with emotion, impulse, and imagination

Led by:

Henry Maynard (clowning masterclasses, solo and duo work, direct audience interaction) Bio here

Matej Matejka (physical theatre, breath and awareness work, somatic integration, ritual structure) Bio Here

Workshop Structure :

Day 1-4: Awakening & Encountering

Body activation and arrival (guided somatic awareness, grounding, playful stretching)

Ice-breaking games focused on presence and spontaneity

First steps into clowning: “The Look” – learning to be seen and not to hide

Day 2–3: Clown & Audience

Clown exercises with Henry:

Chair Game (status and reaction)

Group Storytelling with Audience Hands Raised (learning to listen and adapt)

Working with failure, flop, and staying present

Individual stage time: embracing risk, developing the authentic clown state

Parallel Threads with Matej:

Physicality labs: movement improvisation, internal landscapes, breath, impulse

Reflective practices: journaling, silent walking, body-mapping of emotional states

Duo and group movement: cultivating trust, empathy, and connection

PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LINKED HERE

by purchasing a ticket you are confirming that you have read and understood them

LOCATION

Nestled in the serene Kłodzko Valley, at the foot of the Golden Mountains, this retreat offers silence, peace, and a deep connection to nature—perfect for recharging your energy and sparking creativity.

ACCOMMODATION

The cozy and stylish house features dormitories with rooms accommodating 2-10 people, several bathrooms, a spacious dining room, and a welcoming common area. Enjoy the dining and relaxation terrace, a charming sauna wagon, and the breathtaking natural surroundings. For our training and creative process, we have one indoor space, an outdoor tent, and the open beauty of nature to inspire and support our work.

FOOD

All food will be provided for your stay (please indicate on the form you receive after booking if you have allergies or dietary requirements)

TRAVEL

You will need to make your way to the residency space under your own steam, the nearest Airport is in Wroclaw a taxi to the space from there could be shared between 4 and would cost £75 alternatively a train from Wroclaw to Kłodzko Miasto for around £10

LANGUAGE

The workshop will be led in English. The practice is based on the platform of listening and communication through the body and intuitive experience, therefore verbal explanation might be sometimes reduced to possible minimum

Who is it for? 

This workshop welcomes participants of all levels and backgrounds, emphasizing personal growth and artistic exploration. Together, we’ll integrate individual skills, motivations, and interests, creating a shared space where your openness and determination become the foundation. In a diverse group, everyone brings and takes what they need, fostering a collaborative and enriching experience.

Need to ask questions? please contact us here