Clown and Jewish Dramaturgy Consulting

As a clown performer and Jewish educator, I offer specialized dramaturgy consulting to help theatre and film projects develop authentic representations of clown characters and Jewish cultural themes.

Jewish Clown Dramaturgy for BROIGUS

I had the pleasure of serving as a Jewish clown dramaturg for UK-based theatre maker Lauren Silver on her 2023 project BROIGUS.

Lauren was interested in exploring the history of Jewish women as performers and sacred fools, and I provided research and materials to help inform the Jewish cultural context of her piece.

I shared a presentation on Jewish Women and Movement, highlighting women dancing and performing at weddings, holidays, and in everyday life. This included information on:

  • The Women's Dance on Simchat Torah

  • Female wedding entertainers like the badchanit Judith Berg in the Yiddish film The Dybbuk

  • Biographical background on vaudeville performer Sophie Tucker and her iconic song "My Yiddishe Momme"

  • The complex roles Jewish immigrant women played in early 20th century American vaudeville

Additionally, Lauren and I had an email exchange where I provided her with my research materials through a PowerPoint presentation and recorded lecture I had developed for a course on Judaism and Clowning.

Collaborating with Lauren and supporting her exploration of Jewish clown history and culture was a pleasure. I'm looking forward to seeing how my contributions helped shape the final presentation of BROIGUS.

Clown Dramaturgy for Upcoming Film Project

I've had the pleasure of serving as a clown dramaturg for director Lewis Rose on his upcoming feature film project, providing guidance on integrating Jewish culture and clown themes.

While specific details are confidential during the production process, I can share that I've assisted Lewis with research on the history of clowns and humor in Jewish tradition. This has included sources ranging from Biblical texts to rabbinic stories to Yiddish comedy and beyond.

My role has been to help the creative team think about ways to organically incorporate these cultural elements into the film's narrative and aesthetic. For example, I've suggested scenarios that allow the main character's clowning pursuits to intersect with experiences of their Jewish upbringing and community.

Additionally, I've advised on framing and executing key clown scenes in the script. Drawing on my own clowning background, I've provided ideas on everything from costuming and makeup to performance style and comedic rhythms. My goal is to help lay the groundwork for scenes that are authentically clownish yet aligned with the film's tone and message.

It's been an engaging process helping translate clowning artistry from stage to screen through a Jewish cultural lens. I look forward to seeing the final results and hope my contributions enrich the film's exploration of this subject matter.

Bring your stories to life!

My dramaturgical consulting services include:

  • Research on relevant subjects including Jewish texts, folklore, comedy history, clowning styles, and more

  • Guidance on integrating Jewish and clown elements into narratives, characters, and aesthetics

  • Advising on best practices for depicting clown performances, dynamics, and comedic sensibilities

  • Brainstorming creative choices and problem-solving to heighten projects' cultural authenticity

  • Providing feedback to strengthen artistic interpretations and dramatical impact

  • Custom tutorials on Jewish and clown cultural context as needed

I take an engaging, collaborative approach to dramaturgy, aiming to help creative teams realize their vision while deepening the meaning and integrity of the work. My experience as both a clown and Jewish educator allows me to draw on extensive knowledge to enhance projects across mediums. Past clients have valued my ability to consult on nuanced cultural details in ways that organically align with their creative goals. Whether it's a stage play, film, or other format, I enjoy helping bring stories to life through thoughtful clown and Jewish dramaturgy.

I offer flexible consulting packages tailored to each project's needs. My collaborative approach combined with expertise in clowning and Jewish culture makes me well-equipped to enhance narratives across mediums.

Contact me today to discuss your project and how I can help bring your stories to life through thoughtful clown and Jewish dramaturgy consulting.