November 8, 2026

Circus Clowning – Filling Big Shoes

With Circus Smirkus’ Josh Shack

Taught by Smirkus Alum and Teaching Artist-in-Residence, Joshua Shack, this workshop is for students who are interested in exploring the playful and eclectic style of clowning celebrated in the Circus Smirkus ring for nearly 40 years.

Through group and individual exercises, students will explore character development and movement, principles of comedy, and storytelling through physicality and expression.

PS: Want discounts on multiple workshops (plus some other cool things)?! Get a Vermont Circus Festival Pass for 10% off all workshops!

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More Details

When:
Sunday | 12:30 – 2:30 pm

Where:
Landmark College Theater
19 River Rd S.
Putney, VT 05346

Cost:
$10 – $30 sliding scale

Prerequisites:
This workshop is for students ages 14-adult with performance experience in clowning, circus, or theater.

Ages:
14 and up.

About the Coaches

Joshua Shack decided to become a clown when he was just three years old, and at age nine, he began performing his solo show at many local events. As a teenager, he toured for four summers with Circus Smirkus. He then toured nationally as a clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

He is a co-creator and performer of The Piccolini Trio and directed their critically acclaimed stage show Circus in a Trunk. Other directing credits include Out of Orbit at The Theater at Saint Peter’s in New York City; Nothing but Nonsense, a variety musical comedy at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI; the Circus Smirkus 2024 Big Top Tour The Imaginarium, and 25 productions for Theater in the Open in Newburyport, MA. He served as creative consultant for Cirque Us, and The King Stag at Boston College, and Associate Director of Pagliacci by Opera Vermont.

He is a teaching artist-in-residence for Circus Smirkus, and has served in a dozen different roles with the company, including Production Manager, Director of Programming, and Associate Artistic Director.

Register Here Get a VTCF Festival Pass

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