allchildren

allchildren

Jeremy Aluma is a clown, though he rarely wears the white painted face and red nose clowns are known for. He is, however, a jokester, and generally vulgar, and in his presence, all boundaries are lifted.

Aluma, a trained theatre clown and 2006 Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) grad, said clowning is so much more than the typical Bozo the Clown (or Pennywise from “It”).

“Clowning is rooted in humanity,” said Aluma, who co-founded the Alive Theatre in Long Beach seven years ago. “Probably what people picture as a clown is limited to a very specific image which isn’t necessarily all what it’s about. The birthday clown and the circus clown are two different types of clowns, but they are not the same thing as theatre clowning.”

In theatre clowning, Aluma said, there’s physical comedy and interaction with the audience. Many times, Aluma’s presentations will be more adult-oriented, allowing him to express his humor more freely.

Clowns03Aluma and his troupe Four Clowns will bring these clowning skills to light in a free workshop in Long Beach, ahead of the company’s production of “Ubu the Shit!”

The class, held on Sept. 28, will invite participants of all ages to learn between three and six clowning techniques.

This is the first time Four Clowns will present a workshop in Long Beach. Aluma said they’ve previously held workshops in places like Rancho Cucamonga, Georgia and Colorado.

“We always try to put a workshop together when we put on a show,” he said. “They’re generally received well. Sometimes I think it takes certain individuals a little bit to be comfortable in playing but that’s something that we try to really work with teachers and coaches to make everyone feel good and they can play unobstructed of their egos or whatever is going on in their heads. People find delight in just playing, letting go and having fun.”

Aluma said while his clowning performances are generally more geared toward adults, he anticipates people of all ages participating in the workshop. This steers Aluma into a different realm of comedy, one where he can’t be as inappropriate.

But kids are a different kind of audience, and not just because filthy material (hopefully) goes over their heads, Aluma said.

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“The tools (for adult and kid audiences) are the same, very physical and rooted in comedy,” he said. “But with the adults, their sense of humor is more closesly aligned to mine and the other company members. In our first production of ‘Four Clowns,’ we weren’t really afraid to cover any subject matter, and that was exciting. … With childen, it was a happenstance that we fell into it. We did ‘Robin Hood’ at South Coast Repertory, and that was for young audiences. The show itself was much more rewarding than I ever could have anticipated because kids are so willing to tell you how they feel every second in every moment. That means when things were working, they were explosive and louder than the adults were.”

Aluma said his favorite part of theatre clowning is interacting with the audience. He also said performances allow his troupe members to relieve and forget any outside stresses.

“I get to laugh at least once a week uncontrollably at the antics of our troupe, and it’s a huge release for me personally,” Aluma said.

Four Clowns’ current project is “Ubu the Shit!” which Aluma is directing CSULB students in.

Clowns02The play, which will show in the Studio Theatre at CSULB from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7, is an adaptation of Macbeth, Aluma said.

“It’s essentially the story of Macbeth if Macbeth never had any remose or cared and just kept in his greedy ways,” he said. “It’s a very brash play, very fast and highly physical. It’s essentially about the greed in all of us and how it can overtake all of us.”

Aluma first directed “Ubu the Shit!” eight years ago when it was highly praised by critics and audiences alike, he said.

“It’s been this piece that I always kind of thought would be perfect for bringing back to CSULB, if I ever got the opportunity to direct there. It’s a really wonderful full-circle thing for me.”

Aluma and Four Clowns, along with the Arts Council for Long Beach and CSULB theatre students, will present a free workshop for beginner clowns on September 28 at 4:00PM on the corner of East Third Street and Long Beach Boulevard. No reservations are necessary.

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