Clowning for engineers

Clowning for engineers - 1 June, 7 - 9pm

Clowning for engineers is a brand new, online course we've created to build confidence in presenting and creativity in design by rediscovering play. To deliver this course I am teaming up with director, performer and clowning practitioner Robyn Hambrook. Over two hours Robyn will lead us through a series of clowning training exercises to help us develop a more playful approach to our work and our interactions. I will then help us contextualise these exercises and reflect on how to introduce these ideas into our daily practice as engineers.

More info and booking

The discovery of clowning

I didn't know much about clowning until 2016. But then I signed up to a four-hour clowning taster workshop and the experience blew my mind. There were no red noses or shoes in sight. Rather we were immersed in a safe space where we could restore fascination in the world around us and confidence in how we interact with other people. I felt like I had developed super powers!

The lost art of playfulness

Play is often thought of as something frivolous. Playfulness goes against everything we have been taught in our engineering education and in the behaviour that is expected of us. But if work becomes more playful then it becomes more pleasurable. When we are enjoying ourselves new possibilities emerge. We see opportunities that had been hidden. We are more willing to give things ago. Play is intrinsically motivated exploration - a highly engaged way to work.

Presenting with confidence

At heart the clown plays for an audience, so learning about audience interaction is at the heart of learning to be a clown. The presentation techniques I picked up in that 2016 taster workshop I attended have probably been the most valuable training I have ever had. I think about them everytime I stand up to present. They have encoruaged me to open up, to take more risks. Ultimately clowning reminds us that the people we are working with also human beings, who in their hearts want us to succeed.

A safe space to explore

Robyn and my aim in this workshop is to create a safe space in which you can use elements of clown practice to explore playfulness and presentation and use these to find skills and ideas that you can take into your work. We are limiting the workshop to twelve places so we can groups small and develop a supportive working environment between the paricipants.

We really help you can join us.
Best wishes,
Oliver.

Book your place now

Got any more questions?

You might be reading this and thinking, sounds good but I'm not sure. If you've got any more questions then don't hesitate to drop me an email.