VAUDE_VISUALS

Audrey Crabtree relaxing in the studio.

Audrey performing at ‘tinydangerousfun‘ cabaret as her character “Graspy”.

Besides being a performer/director Audrey is the co-director of The New York Clown Theatre Festival.

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DIXON PLACE

The new home for The New York Downtown Clown Revue.

More commissioned work and a variety of eccentric clowns.

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Audrey Crabtree

was ask to create a work based on a Thanksgiving dish of Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmellow Topping.

Her act was with one of her fun character ‘Graspy‘.

Arriving on stage with her suitcase and some rough manners.

Once she realizes there is an audience she begins dispersing her ‘home cooked’ meal.

A little coaxing from her gets the audience to give her their possessions.

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The Amaziny Amy

was commissioned to create a 5 minute act of gratitude and transformation. The act was to follow the guidelines.

Walking on stage with a cane and serious physical discomfort.

After taking off her outdoor garments she loses the head band and tries to pick it up.

Amazing Amy gets herself tied up like a pretzel.

Physical acts of amazement are her trade.

Off the stage with her chair prop and cane.

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Jonathan Kaplan

performed his whimsical  ”Le Fleur” act.

Growing out of the seed into the flower.

He turns into a full fledged ‘rapping’ flower.

“Le Fleur” has an audience member on stage performing. (Anna Zastrow)

A psychedelic ending to a ‘bravura’ performance.

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New York Downtown Clown INTERN ENSEMBLE

Performing routines created from their classes at the  ’Slapstick Dojo’.

Summer the Clown flexes her clown muscles.

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The host Christopher Lueck introduces another act.

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Mr. Fromage Meets Coccina

A wonderful duet with Peter Daniel Straus and Carol Sirgo.

Mr. Fromage plays the music and makes flowers magically appear.

He has to communicate with Coccina that he doesn’t want to read the letter she has for him.

After reading the letter he realizes it was really bad news and he can’t take it.

Coccina cleans up while Mr. Fromage meditates on the ‘best friends’ last banana.

Finally we discover that his friend (the monkey)isn’t dead. But there are many other wonderful discoveries to be had.

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Rob Torres

A delightfully simple and funny piece of clowning by Rob Torres finished the evening off.

Greeting the audience was his first task. No problem!

He tied the knot in the rope without touching the rope.
Taking notes on an audience member’s technique on putting on a tie.

Then he proceeded to follow the instructions and tie the tie without touching it! Amazing skill.

Taping up the box with a string attached to make it work the way he wanted it to.

The final moments of a very funny act.

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Christopher Lueck pops open a bottle of champagne to toast the evening’s talent.

Everyone gets a glass of champagne to celebrate the work.

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Come and see next Month’s Revue.

Check here to see what is going on.

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All Photographs are ©2010 Jim R Moore

tinydangerousfun

In a ‘tiny’ basement at the Sycamore Bar there is a variety showcase that is quite ‘dangerous’ and really ‘fun’.

The show’s hosts are eccentric performer/clown John Leo and multi-talented (musician,juggler,comedian etc) Andy Sapora.

To start the show off they presented a young man who has been in South America studying clown for some time.

BRYCE PANIC (from Argentina)

With audience participatory music and eccentric dancing.

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A story teller that reveals some insane details about her babysitting experiences.

EMILY KENYON SCOTT

A babysitting story gone awry.

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Look what the hosts found in the back alley.

AUDREY CRABTREE

Wondering where her daddy is?

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A music piece with several complications.

OLIVIA LEHRMAN

Nice music stand.

Playing music can sure be a twisted thing sometimes!

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A few audience members were selected to become the ’13th Act’. They called themselves F*CK YOU GUYS!

They were given a scenario about ‘Btizy’s audition for Cirque du So Lame in Gemany

With wigs and costumes found in the cellar closet they performed their ‘masterpiece’.

Upon completing their performance they were  all given parting gifts.

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A regular at the Cabaret steps up to fill in a spot in the lineup with her borrowed uke.

TANYA SOLOMON

“AND she plays the uke? She’s the Eye of the Tiger.”

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ANDY SAPORA

Has he got blue balls?

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A contest was in store for the evenings festivities and who better to start it up.

SOPHIE NIMMANNIT

Assisted by Bryce and Jonathan. Audience contestants race to identify Sophie Ninmannit.

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John Leo and Andy Sapora ‘go fly a kite’.

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One of the delightful shows from the NY Clown Theatre Festival was “Legs & All“

The show has been extended and one half of the duo performed this physical comedy piece.

SUMMER SHAPIRO

‘dangerous with her balloon.’

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The hosts of the show reminiscing.

John Leo and Andy Sapora.

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The other half of ‘Legs & All’ duet did a piece with another partner.

PETER MUSANTE AND OLIVIA LEHRMAN

“When the Doves Cry” by incredibly expressive finger people.

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NEXT MONTH ON OCT 26th COME AND HAVE SOME ‘DANGEROUS FUN’.

On Friday September 3rd The NY Clown Theatre Festival got off to a great start with the Clown Parade. Beginning in Union Square and moving to The Brick  Theatre in Williamsburg where the festival is presented. More than 100 clowns and admirers moved through the streets of NY and into the L train station for their fun trip to Brooklyn. I have posted a good selection of photographs from that adventure.

John Towsen was present at the parade. John and his performing partner  Fred Yockers were the producers of the First NY Clown Theatre Festival back in the 1983. He was happy to see the tradition continue under the guidance of Audrey Crabtree cofounder with Eric Davis.

Audrey Crabtree muscling in to the picture.

Jeff Seal will be performing with his partner Chris Manley at the Festival

Lilli Sukula-Lindblom(l)  hangs on to Gabriela Munoz (c) and Sabine Choucair(r).

Gabriela and Sabine are perfoming at the festival in ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Quizas.’

Jonathan Kaplan will be performing in the festival in ‘Le Fleur’.

Center in the platform is Audrey Crabtree giving advice to the passengers.

Nick Trotter as ‘Ferdinand the Magnificent’ taking a well deserved rest

Peter Musante is performing with Summer Shapiro in “Legs and All“.

Eric Davis -shooting photographs at the parade.

Butt Kapinski with a handcuffed friend looking proud.

Once the crowd arrived at The Brick Theatre it was only a matter of time until the ‘Pie Throwing Contest’ got started.

First the referee had to lay down the rules and then all hell broke lose!

If you want to see more Clown Theatre that will bring joy to your bones and laughter to your soul…

go here and buy some tickets to the shows!

FERDINAND SAYS “COME AND SEE SOME SHOWS!”

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I will be posting more photographs from each performance I shot in the upcoming weeks.

Stay tuned or subscribe in the upper right hand corner!

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All Photographs are © 2010 by Jim Moore