Diversionary Werks!
Upcoming Dates
In-person* (at Diversionary Theatre)
* You must be vaccinated and boosted to attend. Refer to our updated Covid-19 policy here. Please arrive early to check in and find parking.
Please check back soon for WERKS programming updates!
PAST WERKS PROGRAMMING
Photo: Matthew Gregory Hollis
2 Day Immersive Clown WERKshop with Danielle and Skyler
Workshops: Saturday, April 23rd-Sunday, April 24th,
Final Performance on Monday, April 25th
Location: Diversionary Theatre
Reuel K. Olin New Play Development Center. (NPDC)
-FREE-
Calling all eccentric humans who would like to explore the building blocks of comedy, and then share some new material on our Clark Cabaret Stage for our first ever VARIETY NIGHT!
Apply to join us for this FREE two-day clowning workshop that will allow you to unlock your comedic potential, infuse joy and creativity into your life, find the rhythm of play, connect your body to your mind, open up your imagination, and create a community of celebration. We’ll be adapting clowning techniques from traditional (Commedia dell’arte) and newer (Jacques LeCoq, contemporary clown teachers) teachings and practices so that we may learn, play, fail, and wonder together. At the culmination of the workshop, you’ll start to develop a clown character and have the opportunity to pick from a variety of routines that you will learn and share on the Clark Cabaret stage on Monday, April 25th.
No previous clowning experience is necessary, all humans are welcome. We will be accepting applications until April 13th
For the workshops, please bring/come prepared with:
* Comfy, easy to move clothes
* A water bottle for hydration
* Your full attention
*You must be fully boosted to participate, and show proof of your booster if it has been six months since your last Vaccination.
Please be sure to refer to our up-to-date covid-19 policy here: https://www.diversionary.org/covidprotocol
Meet Your Instructors
Danielle Levsky (she/her) is a Post-Soviet, Jewish, queer, and feminist clown, writer, educator, and producer. During quarantine, she explored the possibilities of live-streamed art by writing, performing, devising, teaching, and producing literary work and physical theatre. She was also certified as a clown teacher through the Los Angeles-based Clown School.
From May through September 2021, she produced and hosted two monthly events in Chicago: Corona dell’arte with Silent Theatre Company, a vaudeville-style variety show hosted by clowns, and Moon on Fire, a full moon ritual, salon, and open mic evening for artists and by artists. Currently, Danielle is working on growing community in Southern California, hosting a virtual monthly Clown Watch Party, teaching clown workshops, writing a full-length clown show, and wiggling in and out of headstands in yoga teacher training class.
She has trained with teachers of various clown traditions and backgrounds, including Misha Usov (Cirque de Soleil), Shannan Calcutt (Cirque de Soleil), David Bridel, Jeremy Aluma, Stefan Haves (Humble Clown Summit/Cirque de Soleil), Marc Frost (Theater Unspeakable), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Leah Urzendowski (Neo-Futurists), Aretha Sills (Viola Spolin workshops), Antonio Fava (Commedia dell’arte master), and Dan Berkeley (Ringling Brothers). Learn more about her and her work: criticturnedclown.squarespace.
Skyler Sullivan
Director of Arts Education and Outreach
(He/Him/Theirs)
Skyler Sullivan is an actor/director/ and arts educator transplanted from New York. While in NYC, he worked with The New Victory Theatre for ten years as a veteran teaching artist, where he honed his skills as a curriculum developer and facilitator. Other NYC teaching credits include: The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, the Professional Performing Arts School, and on-set coaching on two P.B.S. shows: Sesame Street and The Electric Company.
Skyler is thrilled to be working with Diversionary Theatre as it continues its tradition of arts education and outreach. Currently, in San Diego, he also teaches for The Old Globe and The La Jolla Playhouse. Skyler also works as a therapeutic clown with Healthy Humor, a nonprofit serving chronically and terminally ill kids and their families. Education: B.F.A. in acting Emerson College, M.F.A. in Acting Brooklyn College.
Comedy Workshop with Mina Hartong
Friday, November 5th, 2021, 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Diversionary Theatre
Reuel K. Olin New Play Development Center. (NPDC)
FREE
So you think you’re funny? Join us! Award winning comedian Mina Hartong ( she, her) will facilitate a Stand Up comedy/ Storytelling workshop, no experience necessary. We will cover an overview of the comedy business, joke structure, drama games and how to use our personal stories and transform them into laughter, healing ourselves and the audience. Please prepare a 2-3 minute personal story or anecdote to share to get us started. You will leave this workshop with a three minute set, and you will be on your way to the next open mike.
See you on stage!
Please be sure to refer to our up-to-date covid-19 policy here: https://www.diversionary.org/covidprotocol
Meet Your Instructor
Mina Hartong (She/Her)
Award winning comedienne Mina Hartong (Ladies of Laughter Finalist, Curve Magazine One of America’s Funniest Lesbians) has been performing and touring for over twenty years. Favorite shows and venues include Don’t Tell Mama’s, Provincetown, Montreal Fringe Festival, and headlining at Iceland Pride, where she marched in the Pride parade next to the mayor.
Mina also loves to Emcee galas and fundraisers (Cipriani’s, Silver Hill Hospital) and produces her own comedy show Lez Out Loud. When she is not on stage, Mina enjoys teaching Acting and Stand up Comedy and developing new comics. She taught Theater in the New York City public school system for 21 years, so now basically she can do anything!
“Mina is laugh out loud funny. Biting and sharp, but with warmth and humanity. Nothing better. She can so easily nail and slay all of us with her hysterical observations of life’s craziest moments. She brings everyone in.”
Michael Ross, Managing Director
Center Stage Baltimore
“ Mina lights up a room and brings great energy to everything she does.”
Lynn Travers, Director of Development, Silver Hill Hospital
Recent appearances include The Palm Springs International Comedy Festival and sold out shows at Palm Springs Pride. She looks forward to performing at the brand new Clark Cabaret space at Diversionary Theater in San Diego. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @hartongmina.
About Our Arts Education Programs and Outreach
Arts Education is thriving at Diversionary Theatre, and our programs spread the seeds of understanding and tolerance around our unique mission as the third oldest LBGT theater in the country. Watch this video to learn more about each of our education programs.
By sharing LGBTQ stories with our community we bring stories that need to be told, directly into people’s lives. We provide a safe place for all students, and we are excited to extend a lifeline to our LGBTQ youth who may not have the support at home or at their school. We are giving people permission to be who they are, and for many this might be a life saving experience.
Make a Difference
All of these programs are only made possible by the generous support of our donors and our community.
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