Next Step Workshop

The Goal:

This workshop helps clowns with platform ministry presentations, to gain control and understanding of their physical communication, to improve their connections with their audience, to deepen their understanding of character and the art of clown, and to help them present strong messages combined with comedy concepts. This is a physical mime-based workshop that will help clowns better share truths through effective movement, timing and clear communication. We will focus on these topics: mime technique, advanced character development, physical comedy & communication techniques, portraying emotional content, writing comedy routines with messages, music & performance, writing and performing “Flash Theatre”, and more. Attendees will be encouraged to share a presentation piece each day for a coaching critique from the instructors. Other attendees listen to the critiques to learn along with the presenter. Various pieces will be practiced and then will be presented at the Sunday a.m. kid’s service at the church.

Staff:

Rev. Randy Christensen is the “Next Step Workshop” founder and your host. Randy began clowning in the Fall of 1980 while training for ministry at North Central University. Since that time Randy has taught and performed across the United States and in seven foreign countries. He was the featured performer at the 1999 Induction Ceremony for the International Clown Hall of Fame and is the current president of the World Clown Association. For more info. on Randy check out www.qualityprograms.net

Jeff McMullen is a college instructor, motivational speaker, and certified karate coah. Jeff is a distinguised graduate of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown College and, in his earlier days, toured nationally with the circus. Jeff also has represented McDonald's restaurants as part of its personality-based marketing programs. His work earned national recognition and was directly responsible for significant business gains in his assigned region. 

In 1989, he was asked to serve as an instructor/curriculum developer for the Clown College's history-making founding session in Japan. In 1991, he became the star performer and Director of Western Entertainment at Reoma World, in Southern Japan.

Today, Jeffrey "puts on the greasepaint" only to perform with some of America's finest symphony orchestras in special family programs, or in his role as a staff instructor at special events such as the annual, nationally known Clown Camp at La Crosse, Wisconsin. More information on Jeff at: http://www.jeffmcmullen.com

Rev. Ben Christensen is an award-winning performer who has been featured on cruise ships, camps, conventions, the “Fake-Off” television show, and circuses. He is a regular lecturer and performer for the I-Fest and Creative Ministry Solutions Festivals. He has a B.A. in Children’s and Family Ministries from North Central University. Ben also won the All-Around Clown competitions at the World Clown Association international conventions two years in a row and was awarded the honorary title, “Master Clown” by the WCA. More information on Ben’s ministry at www.BenComedy.com

Location

Hillside Church, 502 Victory Drive, Mankato, MN  56001

Make-up & Costume

We encourage you to bring your make-up and costume to wear as part of our Sunday morning presentations in the two kid’s services at Hillside Church.

Since “The Next Step” is intended to be an advanced training workshop, we assume that the attendees basic skills of make-up and costuming are already developed so we will not be offering any classes on these areas at this workshop experience. We want you to have your clown shoes, nose, hat and wardrobe, jacket or vest with you for some of our practice sessions and student demonstrations, but applying your actual make-up will only be needed for the worship services on Sunday.

Staff are willing to give feedback and advice in this area on a one-to-one basis during break times.

Time Schedule

We will start on time in the morning, after lunch and in the evening. We will not be pressured to end sessions on time though. Our desire is to help you work through various concepts and exercises that will really be beneficial. We’re not going to try to run on a rigid timeline. This is not a conference where numerous classes are beginning and ending at the same time. This is a time where we can spend some personal time together and really dig into some areas of clowning and ministry that we often don’t have time to focus on. We are offering an interactive participatory learning experience from learned instructors. 

We begin at 3:00 on Wednesday afternoon and conclude about 9:00 p.m. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will begin at 8:30 in the morning and conclude about 9:00 p.m. nightly.  Sunday will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m..

Meals and Housing
Attendees make their own hotel reservations at a local hotel (recommendations will be made.) Some choose to room with other attendees. Hotel expenses are the responsibility of the attendees.

The Next Step Workshop provides these meals:  Wednesday supper, Thursday lunch, Friday lunch, Friday supper, Saturday lunch, and Sunday lunch. These are "home-cooked" meals. Attendees are responsible for all other food arrangements.

Professional Mentoring

Besides the intensive schedule combining over 37 hours of instruction, involvement and performance, you may request an additional three hours of personal mentoring with our instructors in a one-on-one advisory session. This additional coaching is tailored to the clown to help with business planning, show development, skill development, goal setting systems or other requested advice. This three hour session will be placed prior to the Next Step workshop (i.e.Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning) or following the conclusion of the workshop (i.e., Sunday afternoon, evening, or Monday morning). The additional fee for this professional mentoring is $100.

Registration

Only 15 registrants will be allowed. “First come, first served.” The cost of the workshop is $375 per person. To hold your position you may send a $75 deposit. The rest would be due upon arrival for the Next Step. Your position is not “saved” until the deposit is received. If you need to cancel your reservation, you will be refunded the entire amount up until one month prior to the start date. After that, only ½ of your registration will be refunded.

There is a $75 registration discount for any previous Next Step alumni.

Please make your check payable to: Randy Christensen. In the memo line list “training workshop.” Please mail to: Randy Christensen, c/o Hillside Church, 502 Victory Drive, Mankato, MN  56001

NOTE: The Next Step Workshop is a "Bo-Dino Scholarship" approved training venue for World Clown Association members. WCA members may apply for this scholarship by filling out the proper forms found at www.worldclown.com

More Information Needed?