The Clown School

What The Clown School does

The Clown School is a Los Angeles-based performing arts institution founded in 2007 (informally) and 2009 (formally) by David Bridel, who trained under Philippe Gaulier and taught at USC for 16 years, and Orlando Pabotoy, who holds an MFA from the Moscow Art Theatre and Yale. The school teaches clowning, physical theatre, and related acting disciplines through a tiered curriculum rooted in the Gaulier pedagogical lineage.

The school's core offerings include in-person classes (Clown 1, Clown 2, Clown 3, Commedia dell'Arte, Acting, Embodied Characters, and Silent Movement Practice), specialty intensives, retreats, and private coaching. It has expanded its product surface to include 14+ Online Certificate Programs priced between $299 and $899, and operates The Clown School Company, a professional ensemble for original productions. The methodology is published through Routledge textbooks authored by Bridel, and the school has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter.

The business model is consumer-facing and low-ticket: revenue is generated primarily through class fees ($150–$899 per program), a $100 enrollment deposit, and gift cards, with no enterprise contracts or B2B channels visible. The customer base is distributed across individual consumers — aspiring and professional actors, comedians, performers, and humanitarian clowns — with the school reporting reach into 15+ countries through its online programs. The school operates approximately 24 employees and has expanded physically to Philadelphia and Las Vegas beyond the LA flagship.

Name

The Clown School

Legal name

The Clown School

Website

https://theclownschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Clown School is a Los Angeles-based performing arts institution founded by David Bridel that offers tiered clown training, physical theatre education, and online certificate programs for actors, comedians, performers, and humanitarian clowns globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education and Training

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Clown training
• Physical theatre education
• Commedia dell'arte
• Humanitarian clowning
• Performing arts workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. In-Person Class Registrations: Students pay course fees ranging from $150-$475 for in-person classes, with a $100 deposit required at registration and balance invoiced ~2 weeks before class start. Classes include Clown 1 ($475), Clown 2 ($475), Commedia dell'Arte 1 ($399), Specialty Intensives ($450), and one-day retreats ($150-$160). Discounts available for returning students.
2. Online Certificate Programs: Self-paced 1-on-1 online certificate programs priced from $299-$899 per program, with deposits of $100 to initiate onboarding. Programs include The Clown ($529), Trickster ($499), Teaching Clown ($599), Slapstick ($549), Mime ($399), Presence ($599), Teaching Mask ($599), Humanitarian Clown ($399 implied), Shakespeare ($599 implied), Moliere, Satire, Commedia dell'Arte Teaching, and Create Your Own Show ($899).
3. Clown School Micro Grants: The school awards bi-annual micro-grants of $100-$750 to prior students to help create new stage material, with special consideration for rehearsal space funding.
4. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in denominations of $25, $50, $75, and $100, with no expiration date. Customers purchase gift cards for friends/family to apply toward class registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Clown School delivers in-person and online clown training, physical theatre education, Commedia dell'Arte, mask work, and humanitarian clowning classes to actors, performers, comedians, and general learners. Programs are structured in a tiered curriculum (Levels 1, 2, 3) progressing to a final performance, complemented by a suite of 14+ self-paced online certificate programs, week-long intensives, one-day retreats, and 1-on-1 private coaching.

Product overview

The Clown School is a Los Angeles-based performing arts institution offering a tiered curriculum of clown training and physical theatre education. The core offerings include in-person and online group classes (Clown 1/2/3, Commedia dell'Arte, Acting, Embodied Characters, Silent Movement Practice), and an extensive Online Certificate Programs suite (The Clown, Trickster, Teaching Clown, Humanitarian Clown, Mime, Slapstick & Physical Comedy, Teaching Commedia dell'Arte, Teaching Mask, Presence, Shakespeare, Moliere, Satire, Create Your Own Clown Show). The institution also offers specialty intensives, one-day retreats, private coaching, and maintains a professional company (The Clown School Company) for original productions. The product portfolio spans beginner to advanced levels, serving actors, performers, comedians, educators, and general participants from all walks of life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Clown Classes (Clown 1, 2, 3) Tiered in-person clown training classes (Clown 1, 2, 3) for actors, performers, comedians, and personal growth seekers, taught at partner studios in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. 7-8 week series held on weekday evenings, priced from $299-$475.
• Commedia dell'Arte Classes (Level 1 and 2) In-person Commedia dell'Arte training classes covering the tradition's masks, physicality, and performance techniques, with Level 2 culminating in a public performance.
• In-Person Acting Class (6-week series) 6-week Acting class series held on Monday nights from 6-9pm at North Hollywood venue, priced at $450 per participant.
• World of Mask Intensive (1 week) Week-long intensive focused on mask work, held daily at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood for $450.
• Specialty Retreats (Ojai Clown Retreat, San Diego Retreat) One-day immersive clown retreats held at partner venues in Ojai and San Diego for $150-$160.
• Online Certificate Programs (14+ programs) Self-paced 1-on-1 online certificate programs covering The Clown ($529), Trickster ($499), Teaching Clown ($599), Mime ($399), Slapstick & Physical Comedy ($549), Teaching Mask ($599), Presence ($599), Humanitarian Clown, Shakespeare, Moliere, Satire, Teaching Commedia dell'Arte, and Create Your Own Show ($899), delivered globally with video/written assignments and instructor feedback.
• Online Group Classes (Clown 1 Online, Playwriting 1 Online) Online group classes delivered via Zoom, including Clown 1 Online (7-week Sunday series, $399) and Playwriting 1 Online (4-week Sunday series, $299).
• Private Coaching with David Bridel High-touch 1-on-1 or duo private coaching sessions via Zoom with David Bridel covering clown work, devising, movement, playwriting, direction, auditions, scene study, character, text analysis, teaching skills, stage presence, and public speaking.
• Winter Clown 1 Intensive (1 week) Week-long intensive version of Clown 1 held during winter break at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood for $475, open to newcomers and returners.
• Embodied Characters (4-week series) 4-week specialty series on embodied character work taught by Sarah Painter on Friday mornings at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood for $299.
• Silent Movement Practice (3-session series) 3-week Friday morning series on silent movement practice, guided by spirits of Chekhov, Euripides, and Virginia Woolf, priced at $210.
• Gift Cards Digital gift cards sold in $25, $50, $75, and $100 denominations with no expiration date, redeemable toward any class registration through the website.
• The Clown School Company Productions Professional clown and theatre production company launched in 2024 that creates and produces original performances including A Kind of Electra, Trickster, and The Idiot's Paradise, staged at LA venues and international fringe festivals.
• Books by David Bridel Published academic works by David Bridel including Clown Vs Dogma, Clowns in Conversation (2nd edition), Send in the Clowns: Humanitarian Clowning in Crisis Zones, and Commedia dell'Arte: Contemporary Practitioners, available through the school's website and Routledge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates have gone on to work in major motion pictures and leading roles on television
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Clown SpiritcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization described as 'the beautiful bringers-together of all things clown.' Partnership involves cross-promotion and mutual artistic collaboration in the global clown community.
• Clown Me In (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLebanese humanitarian clowning organization connected with the Institute for Very Very Serious Studies. Featured in David Bridel's book 'Send In The Clowns'.
• The Meisner InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Clown School and The Meisner Institute partner together on the annual Living Truthfully Competition. Ever curious and collaborative relationship.
• Philippe GaulierflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Clown School facilitates visits of maestro Philippe Gaulier to Los Angeles. In 2013, David Bridel facilitated Philippe Gaulier's visit to teach at The Clown School in partnership with Fixt Point of Canada. Gaulier is the renowned French clown teacher who trained David Bridel.
• Jan Henderson / Fool MooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of North America's most prestigious clown teachers, continuing the tradition of Richard Pochinko. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• Shannan CalcuttcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClown and star of Cirque du Soleil's Zoomanity, described as 'spectacular clown and Queen of Shehanigans.' Listed as a special guest teacher at The Clown School and featured in David Bridel's book 'Clowns: In Conversation'.
• Caroline DreamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClown, author, teacher, based in Barcelona. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• Misha UsovminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned Russian clown, creator, and star of Cirque du Soleil's Totem. Listed as a special guest teacher at The Clown School.
• Clown Gym (Julia Proctor, New York)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJulia Proctor's Clown Gym in New York is listed as a partner, doing 'wonderful things' in the clown community.
• Vegas Theatre Hub / Darren PituraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDarren Pitura is Creative Director of Vegas Theatre Hub, supporting The Clown School's Las Vegas classes held at Western Stage Props.
• The Idiot Workshop / John GilkeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Gilkey founded The Idiot Workshop in Los Angeles in 2012. Study with him is recommended on the partners page. The Idiot Workshop is one of LA's three top clown schools alongside The Clown School.
• The Troubies / Matt WalkerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary founder of The Troubies (Los Angeles-based musical comedy theatre troupe). Listed as a partner and special guest teacher.
• Four ClownscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbitious and wildly talented Los Angeles-based national and international touring troupe. Many members are Clown School alumni. The Clown School co-produced 'Abraham & Isaac' with Four Clowns and the Latin American Film Institute in Sao Paulo.
• Lyric Hyperion / Phil BurgerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhil Burgers (Dr Brown) runs the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles. The Lyric Hyperion is one of LA's three top clown schools alongside The Clown School and The Idiot Workshop.
• Improv First (Beijing, China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundbreaking comedy organization in Beijing, China, run by Amy Li, associated with top television and talent shows. David Bridel has a long-standing partnership with Improv First, teaching multiple disciplines and directing an improvised version of Moliere's Tartuffe.
• Fixt Point (Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtraordinary Canadian company and North American representative for Philippe Gaulier. Partnered with The Clown School in 2013 to bring Philippe Gaulier to Los Angeles for teaching.
• Chekhov Studio InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles-based Michael Chekhov studio run by Marjo-Riikka Makela. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• Movement Theater Studio (New York)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York lab run by Richard Crawford. The Clown School co-presented a Norman Taylor masterclass with MTS in 2014.
• Christopher BayescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe great clown specialist in New York, described as an old friend of David and The Clown School's co-founder Orlando Pabotoy.
• Doutores da Alegria (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally renowned clown doctors, working in Brazil and with partners worldwide to facilitate healing and wellness through clowning. Featured in David Bridel's book 'Send In The Clowns'.
• LUME Teatro (Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrilliant performance company and lab based in Brazil. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• Paola ColettominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder of the School for Theatre Creators and internationally renowned teacher. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• ARTELminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican/Russian center for theatrical research and practice run by Bryan Brown and Olya Petrakova. Listed as a partner on The Clown School's partners page.
• Stefan HavesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazing impresario, Cirque du Soleil consultant, and maestro of all things circus. Listed as a special guest teacher at The Clown School.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stella Adler Studio of Acting: New York-based acting school. Competes in the broader actor-training market overlapping with The Clown School's primary segment (professional and aspiring actors in the US), though it focuses on Stanislavski method acting rather than clown-specific training.
• The Groundlings: Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy training center. Erik Engman trained there; the school competes for the same comedy-performer student persona in LA, though with a broader sketch/improv focus rather than dedicated clown training.
• The Second City: Chicago-based comedy and improv training institution with global footprint. Adjacent to The Clown School in serving comedians and improv performers, but offers a broader improv curriculum rather than specializing in clown.
• iO West: Los Angeles branch of the iO improv training empire. Several The Clown School teachers (Mike Funt, Erik Engman) previously taught at iO West, indicating overlap in faculty network and student persona in the LA comedy training market.
• Philippe Gaulier: World-renowned French clown teacher who trained David Bridel and is a flagship partner of The Clown School. Offers clown and bouffon training in London and Paris; sets the global standard for the Gaulier-style pedagogy The Clown School teaches.

Emerging players

• Moving Parts Theatre / Fool Moon: Clown school/theatre company led by Jan Henderson, continuing the Pochinko Native American clown tradition. Listed as a core partner of The Clown School; operates a comparable but more niche clown training model.

Direct peers

• The Idiot Workshop: Los Angeles-based clown school founded by John Gilkey in 2012. Listed alongside The Clown School as one of LA's three top clown schools by The Hollywood Reporter; shares the same target market (actors, comedians, improv performers) and operates a similar tiered clown training curriculum. Notable alumni include Natalie Palamides and Seth Allison.
• Lyric Hyperion: LA-based clown school and performance venue run by Phil Burgers (Dr Brown). The third of LA's three top clown schools named by The Hollywood Reporter, it shares The Clown School's core focus on clown training for actors and comedians in the LA market.
• Dell'Arte International: Northern California-based physical theatre school teaching Commedia dell'Arte, mask work, and devised theatre. Listed as a partner institution where The Clown School's teachers (e.g., Arrow Schulman) trained; shares the same physical-comedy curriculum pillars and student persona.
• Clown Gym (Julia Proctor): New York-based clown training gym run by Julia Proctor, listed as a partner of The Clown School. Operates in the same niche (clown and physical comedy training) in a different geography, serving a comparable actor/performer student base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheClownSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/theclownschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/theclownschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-clown-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Clown School