Social Clown Learning Tour in Bali 2020 - POSTPONED

ClownCorps Social Clown Learning Tour in Bali

April 17 - 27, 2020 POSTPONED

March 15, 2020

Dear friends and clown community,

Thank you for your amazing support and generosity at our recent FUNdraiser!! We raised over $2000 for our ClownCorps trip to Indonesia and were able to share buoyancy and play in this difficult time. We are deeply grateful for you joining us - from near and far - and for your help in bringing laughter and connection to our communities here and abroad!

As you know, the landscape has been shifting rapidly with updated information about the coronavirus and how best to protect and prevent the spread of the disease. Due to the latest declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and recommendations issued by the CDC and the WHO, ClownCorps has decided to postpone our trip to Bali until next year.

Our partners in Bali share our concern and are in agreement on postponing this year’s tour, and they are eager and committed to partnering with us next year. Your amazing generosity this year will help make next year’s tour happen!

While this has been an incredibly hard decision to make, our number one priority is to do no harm and to protect the communities we clown with in Bali and here in the Bay Area.

That being said, as clowns, we passionately believe it is our role to bring laughter and play to help build resilience and community in tough times. We are busy planning ways for ClownCorps to engage this pandemic through clowning actions and support here in the Bay Area as well as online content to address what is happening in the US and internationally.

Please stay tuned for updates and actions, and we look forward to playing with you soon!

With deep gratitude,

ClownCorps

What?

ClownCorps will partner with the Balinese organization YKIP (Humanitarian Foundation for Mother Earth) to tour rural communities on the Indonesian island of Bali in April 2020, offering free-of-charge interactive performances and workshops in clowning, acrobatics, and circus.

Who?

Join us for a deep, full throttle learning and play experience that will cultivate listening, vulnerability, humility, and empathy in your performance and bring social impact to your clown work! This tour provides a noses-on, guided learning experience for clown performers to apply training in social and therapeutic clowning, performance, and circus in a social context, all while providing laughter, relief and education for youth in rural villages of Bali.

Open to graduates and alumni of the Clown Conservatory Professional Program, professional clowns, as well as other performers who have previous intensive clown, theater, circus or performance training

Why?

The program has two major objectives:

1) to provide a noses-on learning experience for clown performers to apply training in social and therapeutic clowning, performance, and circus in a social context.

2) to offer laughter, relief and education for youth with less access to resources in rural villages of Bali through performance, play, and workshops.

The performances and workshops will be offered completely FREE of charge in April in partnership with YKIP. YKIP is a foundation committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in Bali through educational support and services. Poverty is common in Bali, particularly in remote communities beyond the reach of tourists. Our clown tour will reach children and communities experiencing economic hardship throughout Bali, from Pemuteran in the far north west, Singaraja in the north and communities in Karangasem in the east, with many from around Ubud in southern Bali and Munduk in the high mountains.

Clowning and circus challenge youth to use their bodies and minds creatively and playfully. Our performances and workshops cultivate teamwork, persistence, mindfulness, and positivity, all through heightened emotional and physical engagement, laughter, and play. The clown gives permission to play, to laugh, and to engage fully with the world. This type of whole-hearted engagement inspires self-confident, committed, and passionate young people who will one day be leaders, artists, and change-makers in their communities.

Itinerary and Details

April 17: Arrive in Denpasar, Bali and transport to Ubud
April 18 and 19: Show creation and exploring Ubud
April 20- 26: Performance Tour TBD
April 27: Depart Bali

Program Cost: $2095

Cost does not include airfare/extras - see exclusions below

Deposit/Trip Sign up Deadline - January 1, 2020: $500
Payment 1 - February 1, 2020: 50% of remaining cost
Payment 2 - March 1, 2020: 100% of remaining cost

Students are responsible for the entire cost of the ClownCorps program. ClownCorps will provide resources for fundraising, but is not responsible for raising the necessary funding for any clown to participate. All fees must be paid by the above deadlines. We are unable to provide refunds for paid cost.

Inclusions:
• 10 nights lodging in Ubud, Bali
• Breakfast each morning and some lunches on tour
• Water at hotel
• Transportation while on tour (April 20 - 26)
• All classes, rehearsals, and training
• Tour expenses
• On the ground support, guidance, and
guided experience
• Farewell Dinner!

Not Included:
• Airfare
• Additional meals and beverages
• Incidental expenses
• Costumes
• Transfers to and from the airport

This is not a vacation, it is a working volunteer trip. Our days will be full with rehearsals and touring. When you are not performing, you may be responsible for other work such as photography, logistics, interviews, communication, etc. You may have some time during the project, especially in the evenings, to explore Ubud and local Balinese culture and food, and attend ceremonies and performances. If you are interested in adding on additional training or sightseeing in Bali, you will need to schedule time after the trip.

Student Traveler Testimonials:

“Going to Bali with Clown Corps was an unbelievable experience. It completely exceeded any expectations I had. What a wonderful chance to create, play, listen, and connect with an amazing performance troupe as well as an amazing community in Bali. Joan and Hannah are exceptional leaders and put some much intentionality and heart into this trip. Their leadership and commitment created a safe environment to explore, struggle, fail, and ultimately grow tremendously. I distinctly remember during this trip, thinking to myself: “This is it. This is the work. The work is play and this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.” This experience will stick with me forever and has completely transformed me as a clown, educator, and overall person. ”