Are you ready to meet clowns who are incredible defenders of kids’ right to play? The Clowns Without Borders (CWB) team from Zimbabwe, June 2023, included Cedrick Msongelwa (Zimbabwe), Nathaniel Allenby (USA), Rachel Wansker (USA), and Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu (Zimbabwe). The … Continue reading
December 10th is Human Rights Day, commemorating the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark United Nations document specifies that all people have the same inalienable rights, regardless of background, origin, or other difference. This year’s theme, “Recover … Continue reading
Hear from artists Josie Mae, Leora Sapon-Shevin, and (new board member!) Eric Rubin as they reflect on their First of May experiences—in this case, their first CWB tours! This interview is part of our Clowns In Conversation series, which lives on … Continue reading
In the American circus, “first of May” refers to someone who is in their first season with the circus. In that spirit, we interviewed three artists about their respective first CWB – USA tour. This is the second in a four-part … Continue reading
Did you know that all Clowns Without Borders artists volunteer their time during a tour? These professionals donate their abilities and expertise to craft responsive, culturally humble performance tours that create space for levity amidst crisis. Code of Ethics CWB … Continue reading
In this series, CWB – USA interviews artists and educators about their experience in clown school. Next up, CWB’s Communications Director Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone talks to CWB – USA board member Selena McMahan, a graduate of The Jacques Lecoq School. Selena is an … Continue reading
Progressive Radio Network featured Clowns Without Borders in conversation with host Eleanor LeCain. Executive Director Naomi Shafer, CWB Board Vice President Erin Leigh Crites, and Board Member Sayda Trujillo describe CWB’s work, how clowning can serve the needs of a … Continue reading
Do you ever wonder about CWB – USA’s amazing partners? We’re sitting down with project partners from around the world to talk about their organization and its relationship to CWB! Ilana Levy, founder of CaliClown and ClownEncuentro talks professionalism and forging … Continue reading
With hard work, commitment, and a funny-bone, anyone can be a clown. But, CWB – USA knows that certain histories aren’t as widely shared as they should be. Guest writer Beth Grimes draws on her encyclopedic entertainment history knowledge to … Continue reading
CWB – USA board member and CWBI representative Sarah Liane Foster writes about this year’s General Assembly. Why Does CWBI Hold a General Assembly? The 2019 Clowns Without Borders International General Assembly was a smashing success, bringing together representatives from … Continue reading
What does displacement look like? The UNHCR estimates there are 68.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide: 40 million internally displaced people (IDP); 25.4 million refugees; and 3.1 million asylum seekers. There are also an estimated 10 million stateless people, or … Continue reading
Thank you to Clowns Without Borders USA board president David Rosenthal, and board member Tim Cunningham for their contributions to this blog! At this moment, CWB – USA artists are on tour in Mexico, traveling north with a caravan of … Continue reading
Welcome to a new blog series, with contributions by CWB – USA’s wonderful board members! Board member Tim Cunningham is a graduate of the Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre (’01) and has performed with CWB in 11 countries outside of the … Continue reading
Whenever possible, we take engagements to share our work by giving workshops and presentations, like we did at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and University of Virginia. Program Director Molly Levine and Development Director Naomi Shafer recently presented to an informal … Continue reading
