“Christopher Bayes is a master, an extraordinary visionary who has done more to liberate young American actors over the last two generations than I can possibly express. His classes in Clowning are philosophical manifestos; the power of his laughter inextricable from the depth of his spirit. This book is a treasure. Nothing can replace the experience of being in the room with a master teacher, but this practical, playful, brilliant book is the next best thing. Read it. It is indispensable.” —Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director, The Public Theater
“‘MORE BAYES!!!’ is what students at Yale School of Drama write to me, again and again, about studying with Christopher Bayes… They invariably type in ALL CAPS. They are clamoring for the very wisdom you hold in your hands, because he is a master teacher of a generation of remarkably gifted and successful actors who have learned to own the softness of their brains while finding out what makes them funny. Discovering the Clown is worthy of Christopher’s huge talent, which he shares with appropriate abandon and generosity: this book is hilarious, uplifting, and indispensable for anyone who cares deeply about acting.” —James Bundy, Dean, Yale School of Drama / Artistic Director
“Christopher Bayes knows where the funny lies in every actor. More importantly he also knows where the truth lies that releases the funny. He thinks he is a Clown teacher, but he is really a master acting teacher. If you ever want to do Beckett or Chekhov or Shakespeare you better do Bayes first. I stand in awe of his gift.” —Ron Van Lieu, Lloyd Richards Professor of Acting (Emeritus), Yale School of Drama
Discovering the Clown, or The Funny Book of Good Acting is a unique glimpse into the wild world of the Clown, unveiling “the playful self, the unsocialized self, the naive self…the big stupid who just wants to have some fun with the audience.” An essential guide for artists and actors wanting to set free the messy and hilarious Clown within.
Christopher Bayes is one of the most sought after teachers of Clown and Physical Comedy in the country. He has taught internationally and been on the faculty of many prestigious schools, including Yale, The Juilliard School, Brown, and NYU’s Graduate Acting Program. He is the co-founder and head of The Funny School of Good Acting in Brooklyn, New York. He is currently Professor and Head of Physical Acting at Yale School of Drama.
Virginia Scott is a director/devisor/teacher of Physical Theater, and co-founder of The Funny School of Good Acting. She has taught Clown at The Juilliard School, Pace University, the Actors Center, CAP 21, and Tisch School of the Arts.