photo: Mark Loudon
Comedy/Clown Training
Here is a selection of what’s on offer:
The School for Comedy Beasts
A 2-Week Intensive Summer Training Program at the Lookout Arts Quarry: June 15-27 2025.
Don’t Call It Clown: the Intensive
Two and Three Day Intensive Workshops in the Wild Genius of Clown
Drag King Comedy
A workshop and competition show in the fierce vulnerability of masculine drag.
Online Classes
Physical Theater and Comedy for Kids and Seniors
Some student testimonials:
“Deanna is like a sculptor. She molds your talents, quirks and insecurities into a character you can play through.” – Estela Garcia, LA
“Deanna is uncanny at drawing genuineness and comedy out of every single person.” – Andy Crouch, Education Director of the Hideout Theater, Austin TX
“Deanna, I love your style of teaching. Hard lessons, big risks with a soft landing. In your workshop I felt encouraged to push my own boundaries, fears, judgements and personal taboos to the forefront so that they could be celebrated, acknowledged and transformed into laughter. It’s refreshing to have direct feedback which does not pamper the ego and gets directly to the point. There’s a swivel point where our suffering can become our joy, where our failures and dis-eases becomes the elixir of hilarity. I felt you constantly bringing us to meet that place, to explore it and bring light to it and gather deeper, juicier material from it. I felt encouraged and celebrated by you as well as pushed towards deeper and more satisfying performative moments.” – Charlie Walker, Vancouver
“Deanna creates an incredible environment of trust and honesty which allows you to really go there, to the depths, the weird, dark and zany places. She has a great eye and won’t let you hide or foster old patterns. Sometimes I feel like I’m a child in front of my siblings, free to go wild.” – Krista Husar, LA
I am still absorbing all the things I learnt on this wonderful workshop and imagine I will be for some time. In the midst of it, I was just conscious that I was having a brilliant time surrounded by talent, challenge and laughter. God how we laughed!! Deanna is a master of her art and manages to get straight to the heart of people and the nuances of where exactly their comedy lies. I’ve already found myself altering my play as a result of her teachings. If comedy is you’re thing, or you just want to be surrounded by laughter, this course is for you.” – Rachael Proctor-Lane, Bristol
“The Naked Comedy Workshop busted into my spirit with a vigorous energy. Deanna creates a supportive space in which you are free to go big, to give a lot, to be powerful, to be grotesque and beautiful. There is also no getting away with staying within your comfort-zone. The workshop is structured in such a considered way that every person in the group feels held and seen. Que Bueno.” – Ell Sachs, Melbourne
“Deanna has a marvelous ability to lead you to the edge and then support you there – a place of full commitment to yourself while opening to and connecting to others. When you don’t run away from this place, but hold firm and stay present, amazing, funny, heart–expanding experiences abound. Deanna is a strong, compassionate and gifted teacher. I highly recommend her workshops to anyone interested in challenging themselves, and playing with authenticity, freedom and joy!” – Zoe Kimball, Portland
“Deanna leads by example in her workshops – her compassion, curiosity and pleasure create the perfect environment for pushing yourself hard and for making real discoveries. I used to be scared of clowning, having been convinced by multiple teachers that I thought too much to be a good idiot. Across the two days of this workshop I failed as much as I succeeded, and for the first time in a long time that didn’t bother me at all because I could feel myself growing in my work. I discovered my inner idiot. She had been there all along – it just took a little love to coax her out. Deanna inspires rigor, generosity and exploration in her students, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.” – Telia Nevile, Melbourne
“I came to Deanna because I was looking to be more physical as an improviser. What I discovered was her workshops build countless other muscles that conventional classes overlook: harnessing the power of failure and vulnerability; creating stage pictures and silent emotional connections with scene partners; and learning how to let go of agendas and be truly free on-stage. I can’t recommend her enough.” – Chad Damiani, LA
“I am deeply impressed with Deanna’s ability to balance professionalism and organized classes with complete fluidity and a go-with-the flow atmosphere necessary for such intimate and personal explorational work. I just can’t say enough good things. She has an uncanny ability to support each individual’s personal work and journey in whatever way they need in the moment.” – Paul Sprangers, LA