STAND UP AND CLOWN

Chad interviews CHRIS ALVARADO. Chris runs Chris Alvarado Workshops and has been improvising for nearly three decades. He is also part of the LA powerhouse team Heyday – which still plays regularly at Santa Monica’s Westside Comedy Theater. But Chris is also on a clown journey, taking classes and creating experimental shows.  Chad and Chris pull no punches as they discuss what they like and dislik...

BILL O’NEILL makes his return to the podcast. A lot has changed for Bill since his first appearance. He’s now the star of an award-winning solo show The Amazing Banana Brothers, and appears on TV regularly as part of the Wendy's ad campaign. Chad and Bill discuss developing his show, dealing with injuries, creating work, finding balance and our favorite and least favorite trends in the current clo...

Chad interviews his longtime friend and performer JOE MITCHELL. Joe is a legend in the current LA Clown scene, having been a core cast member in ensembles like The Murge, After Hours and currently Cruel Babes. Joe is also the host of JOEDOME – a one-of-a-kind show that’s been integral in developing new clowns for over a decade. Chad and Joe discuss Joe’s unlikely artistic journey, ongoing medical...

Chad returns with a solo episode! This time, he discusses the complicated life of class clowns – and how and why they often struggle as clown adults. CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE for future classes! Some highlights: Chad is teaching his original two-day intensive SAVE THE SHOW on 8/19-20! Chad is putting up his first experimental clown show at UCB on 8/15! Also, catch up on Chad’s SUBSTACK IG: @thech...

Chad returns with another solo episode… with an improv twist. He’s breaking down the idea of YES AND… and how it shows the innate differences (and similarities) between improv and clown work. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. The show STAND UP AND CLOWN is July 29th! This is one of the biggest lineups we’ve ever had —...

Chad returns for a special episode, along with his friend, roommate and fellow clown JOHN WYATT. They discuss the recent passing of Chad’s beloved dog Bandit — and how she deeply influenced his approach to clowning and life. A warning: this episode explores grief and death, not only of pets — but also the loss of Chad’s partner Kiera Goodman. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG ac...

Chad is back with another solo episode! This week, he talks about finding THE RHYTHM of a piece and how it allows you to sync up with the audience. Instead of focusing on ideas, can you prioritize a more primal connection? Chad discusses how considering rhythm can open up some more innovative ways to heighten and explore during a set or show. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG ac...

Chad is back with another solo episode exploring the clown wrestling connection. This time, he talks about the idea of GETTING OVER – and how “winning” can look a lot of different ways. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. CHAD’S SHOWS, CLASSES AND MORE! The show STAND UP AND CLOWN is July 29th! Kumail Nanjiani is schedu...

Chad interviews his long-time friend and collaborator CHRISTINA CATHERINE MARTINEZ —  the podcast’s first return guest. They discuss Christina’s YOUTUBE special, artist residencies and the relationship between modern clown and stand-up. WATCH CHRISTINA’S SPECIAL HERE! How to Bake a Cake in the Digital Age ALL OTHER THINGS XTINA: https://linktr.ee/christinacatherine CHAD’S SHOWS, CLASSES AND MORE!...

Chad is back with another solo episode! This time, he’s discussing the use of entrances in pro wrestling. How can you build momentum and interest before you speak a word on stage? And what kinds of games can you create with a calculated entrance? GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR STAND UP AND CLOWN! Tonight is the night! Melissa Villaseñor! Jon Gabrus! Rachel Scanlon! Mike Mitchell! Fumi Abe! Plus, the ret...

Chad is back with another solo episode! He’s back doing another pod comparing clown to pro wrestling — with a focus on the carnie term SELLING. What is the difference between committing to scenes and selling them? Chad talks about keeping the audience in mind when creating fictions on stage, so they can buy more deeply into your performance. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR STAND UP AND CLOWN! We’ve got s...

Chad is back with another solo episode! This time, he’s talking about COUNTER ENERGY – creating work that purposely challenges the existing conventions of a particular art form, style or scene. It’s a form of subversion that works well for clowns, especially when they want to perform in non-clown spaces (like stand-up and improv shows). Chad talks about his process and some practices he tries to a...

Chad is back with another solo episode! He talks about some of the connections he’s made between clown and his time in professional wrestling. This week, it’s the concept of kayfabe - a carnie term that refers to committing to storylines on-and-off screen. If people like these episodes, Chad plans on doing a series. You don’t need to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this one. All haters welcome! GET YO...

Chad is back with his first solo episode of the year! The podcast asks its guests to define clowning; this episode explores some of the qualities Chad associates with modern clown. Also, some talk about future plans for the pod. CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/chad.damiani Find links for his May 24-25 and June 1-2 intensives at UCB. The second one is a brand-new series of drills to fu...

This week, Chad talks with TONI NAGY. Toni is a one-of-a-kind comedian, dancer and performance artist who tackles difficult topics with a sense of mischief and foolishness. Chad and Toni talk about her unique online presence, performing alt comedy in traditional stand-up spaces, finding comedy later in life and lots and lots of nerdy talk about performance and self. This is a wild one, but very fu...

This week, Chad talks with ANNE ZANDER! Anne is a formally-trained actor who is now thriving as a clown in Portland, Oregon – both performing and teaching, while also raising twins. Anne shares her backstory, discusses her teaching and performance philosophy and her approach to exploring dark and dangerous subjects on the stage. Anne also exposes Chad for taking too much spotlight in a recent clas...

STAND UP AND CLOWN returns on April 29th! Fahim Anwar! Tien Tran! Plus – Chad’s new classes are up for late April and early May (the rest are sold out). This week, Chad talks with clown and teacher BONNIE HE. Bonnie was one of Chad’s earliest students – and has gone on to tour internationally with her silent solo clown show A TERRIBLE SHOW FOR TERRIBLE PEOPLE. Chad and Bonnie reminisce about learn...

This week, Chad talks with clown, actress, teacher, choreographer and artist TALLIE MEDEL! You might recognize Tallie from the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. She also performs clown in New York City and teaches at BCC (Brooklyn Comedy Collective). Chad and Tallie discuss Tallie’s journey into clown, the New York and LA clown scenes, they take a deep dive into performance philosophy, and j...

This week, Chad talks with his longtime friend and collaborator ZACH ZUCKER. Zach is the clown mastermind behind STAMPTOWN – a one-of-a-kind international variety show. He’s most known for playing failed comedian Jack Tucker – and is currently running his one-person show at Soho Playhouse in New York through April 13th. Chad and Zach discuss Stamptown (Chad is an ensemble member), do a deep dive i...

This week, Chad talks with clown cellist KAREN HALL! Karen works as a professional cellist and has been featured on shows like GLEE – along with pursuing her love of clowning, touring with her solo show Delusions and Grandeur. Chad and Karen discuss their long working relationship, teaching, the classical musician mindset as it applies to clown, working with music when you’re on-stage and understa...

This week, Chad talks with ALISSA AHLBERG and JULIANNA BECKERT - also known as the clown duo Juls n’ Lis!  Chad and his guests talk about working as a duo and the importance of having more than chemistry. They also discuss the Denver clown scene, building a scene, teaching and share lots of weird and funny stories. A fun listen! JULS N’ LIS CLASSES AND SHOWS: https://linktr.ee/juls_n_lis JULS N’ L...

This week, Chad talks with Spiegelworld performer DEE MARCUCCI! Dee is a former student of Chad’s – who has gone on to play Wanda in the megahit Vegas show Absinthe. Dee tells her amazing story of running away to the circus during a global pandemic. The two also reminisce about the early days of LA clown – as well as some issues that tend to plague performers who rely deeply on improvisation. DEE’...

This week, Chad talks with new teacher, performer and longtime friend IAN FARLEY. Ian and Chad talk about the intersection of improvisation and clown, the early days of the LA clown scene, being part of bad shows that bring us joy and much, much more! TAKE IAN’S CLASS! Saturday 2/17 and 2/18 12-4PM at The Elysian: https://www.elysiantheater.com/classes/readiness IAN’S IG: @enefarley Tickets are al...

This week, Chad talks with fellow clown teacher and performer GRAYSON MORRIS. Grayson and Chad discuss their love of clown ensembles, when to start pursuing solo work, how they differ as teachers, creating joy on stage when you’re  feeling sad and more.  LEARN MORE ABOUT GRAYSON Learn more about Grayson’s current bouffon troupe IL FUNGO: IG: @wtfungo And follow Grayson at @morrisgrayson Tickets ar...

This week, Chad talks with comedy character powerhouse HANNAH PILKES. Hannah has built up a huge social media following and was recognized as one of the most exciting new artists on the scene by Just For Laughs. This one gets super-nerdy, with a lot of talk about process, creating work and classroom culture (Hannah also teaches). FOLLOW AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HANNAH!  IG: @hannahpilkes LINKTREE: htt...