The Sacred Source / Secret Sauce

This episode explores the sacred and transformative nature of clowning, tracing its origins to ancient and tribal traditions. It highlights how clowning, deeply rooted in communal and spiritual practices, serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery and connection. Drawing from "The Sacred Source," a unit from the eight-week course The Clown Connection, the discussion examines the roles of sacred clowns in Native American and European rituals, emphasizing their unique ability to navigate the balance between light and dark energies.

The episode delves into themes like the cultural significance of shame, the influence of secret societies, and the importance of facing fears to unlock the deeper essence of clowning. By revisiting these traditions, modern clowns are encouraged to engage with their communities and foster a sense of balance and authenticity in their craft. Ultimately, this introspective conversation seeks to inspire performers to rediscover the transformative and communal power of clowning, offering insights to enrich their artistic and spiritual journey.

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Books and articles cited:

Barbara Babcock. "Arrange Me into Disorder: Fragments and Reflections on Ritual Clowning." Rite, Drama, Festival, Spectacle: Rehearsals toward a Theory of Cultural Performance (1984) pp. 102-28.

Lucile Hoerr Charles. "The Clown's Function." The Journal of American Folklore 58: 227 (1945) pp. 25-34

Peggy Beck, Anna Lee Walters, Nia Francisco. The Sacred: Ways of Knowledge, Sources of Life. 1990.