Currently the clown coach for Cirque du Soleil's 8 resident shows in Las Vegas, Shannan Calcutt is one of the world's leading instructors in clown and play. She has conducted workshops throughout Canada, Australia, Europe and the United States.
"I don’t think that I have ever been pushed with such careful force into the roaring fire, only to discover that we have been given a protective barrier to the pain - Shannan is the push, the fire and the protection all at once and we become the immediate ensemble as a result, able to go where we could never go on our own."
-Peter Balkwill Artistic Director, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop
Past Workshops
EUROPE Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin
USA Cirque du Soleil | US Figure Skating | Celebration Barn Theatre | The Clown School | Clown Gym | Crazy Horse Paris | MGM | Vegas Theatre Hub | Vegas International Variety Act Festival (Viva Fest) | Red Bulls High Dive Team | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | University of California, Irvine | United World College of the American West, New Mexico
AUSTRALIA The Weimar Room | Circus Monoxide | Circus Wow | Legs on the Wall
CANADA The Banff Center | The National Arts Center | Drama Works, Theatre Alberta, Citadel Theatre | Ottawa Fringe Festival | The Globe Theatre | 25th Street Theatre | Nakai Theatre | University of Victoria | University of Regina | Lester B Pearson College of the Pacific | St. Michael's University School | Winnipeg Circus and Magic Partnership Program
"I have never had a teacher like Shannan before, and I am so thankful that her approach to life and clown has been introduced to me. She expected us all to bring our best, whatever that meant to each performer. It was the best example of kindness I have ever seen. No bullshit. No sugar coating. And yet the most safe and free rehearsal / workshop room I have ever been a part of."
-Jenna-Lee Hyde Actor
"I don’t think that I have ever been pushed with such careful force into the roaring fire, only to discover that we have been given a protective barrier to the pain - Shannan is the push, the fire and the protection all at once and we become the immediate ensemble as a result, able to go where we could never go on our own."
-Peter Balkwill Artistic Director, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop
"Shannan is an amazing teacher who really drives her students. With sharp wit and whip in hand, Shannan cuts to the chase, empowering her pupils to discover honest performances and opportunities to respond to their audiences."
-Edward Westerhuis Filmmaker | Animator | Media Artist
Shannan carefully pulled me out of my comfort zone. I was able to not only
embrace my fragilities, but push past my fears and mental blocks and
release them! This workshop was liberating, fun and felt like the
equivalent of $10,000.00 worth of therapy sessions! There's something for
EVERYONE in this class!"
- Melle Vasquez Singer-songwriter, Musician for Cirque du Soleil, Cyndi Lauper, Pink (Tina Turner, Cher and Lenny Kravitz tours)