Sara has trained in clown with Sue Morrison (Pochinko/Gaulier), Dean Gilmour (Lecoq) and Ian Wallace (Pochinko). Her experimentation with the clown form has led to many different projects and characters since 2000, both scripted and unscripted, blurring the lines between theatre, performance art and burlesque. She views the Pochinko technique as the starting place for all of her artistic work, not only as a clown but as a writer, actor, director and designer as well. Its unique ability to tap into deep sources of personal creative potential is one of the reasons that Sara has decided to learn to pass it on.
In 2008, Sara travelled to Vancouver, BC, working one-on-one with mentor Ian Wallace to learn to teach Pochinko Clown Through Mask technique, as well as Kinetics (Ball Work). This six month, intensive mentorship program was funded through the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Development Grants for Theatre Artists, as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Sara is now teaching the Pochinko Clown Through Mask technique to other artists, as well as offering kinetics and Neutral Mask classes for artists and the general public alike.
Selected Scripted Clown Works
The Incomplete Herstory of Women in Newfoundland (and Labrador!), a clown play, commissioned by Rising Tide Theatre in 2004. Developed through RCA Theatre Company’s Write On! playwriting workshop, 2006. Presented by the National Arts Centre’s On the Verge New Works Festival, in conjunction with the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, 2006. Workshopped and given a staged reading through the Women’s Work Festival, 2007. Co-produced by RCA Theatre and She Said Yes! in March 2009. Voted Best Theatre Production of 2009 by the Scope’s Best of St. John’s Reader’s Survey.
No Mummers ‘llowed In, collective creation with Amy House, Jonny Harris, Steve Cochrane, Dave Sullivan, Dana Puddicombe and Phil Churchill, directed by Andy Jones, produced by RCA Theatre Mainstage Series, 2005. Not strictly a clown play but created in much the same fashion.
Mr. Invisible, clown collective with Robert Chafe and Pat Dempsey, directed by Mark Wilson, produced by RCA Theatre Mainstage Series, 2005.
Nosebleed, a solo clown show, written and performed by Sara Tilley, directed by Pat Dempsey, produced by She Said Yes!, St. John’s, 2002 and 2004, and remounted for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, 2006.
One Big Mess, clown collective with Pat Dempsey, Pascale Horan, Sarah Malik, Shawn Malik and Tim Ronan, Potpan Productions Clown Theatre, St. John’s, 2000.
Clown and Physical Theatre Directing
2009 The (In)complete Herstory of Women in Newfoundland (and Labrador!), She Said Yes!, co-direction with Lois Brown. Written by Sara Tilley, featuring Lois Brown, Ruth Lawrence, Susan Kent, Sara Tilley and Craig Francis Power. This process began with a two-week workshop on Pochinko Clown through Mask technique which then fed into the creation of the show.
2006
LULU, She Said Yes! and White Rooster Productions In the rehearsal process for this production we incorporated Pochinko-technique maskmaking, neutral mask and animal work.
2004
Grand Central Station (workshop), She Said Yes!, created by Sara Tilley. This was an experiment in combining Viewpoints and Butoh technique. This project is still in development.
2001
Bellyflop, a clown show, written by Pat Dempsey, Potpan Productions Clown Theatre. A red-nose clown monologue written out of repeat improvisations.
Selected Improvised Clown Performances/Performance Art
2008 Weiner Shaman, Eastern Edge Gallery 24 Hour Art Marathon, St. John’s, NL.
2008
Nervous Vag and Madge Vag on Air, guest hosts for CABARADIO, Vancouver, BC.
2007
Weiner Shaman (Cheesies and Root Beer), Labrador Creative Arts Festival Guest Artist, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.
2006
Weiner Shaman, parking lot in front of Eastern Edge, St. John’s, 24 Hour Art Marathon Spotlight performance.
2006
Nervous Vag (burlesque clown performance), Eastern Edge, St. John’s, 24 Hour Art Marathon Host.
2005
Nervous Vag and Little Sis (burlesque clown collaboration with Craig Francis Power), Ship Inn Pub, St. John’s.
2005
Joey Walk (performative Joey walk in collaboration with Craig Francis Power), streets of St. John’s.
2004
Nervous Vag and Madge Vag (burlesque clown collaboration with Craig Francis Power), Ship Inn Pub, St. John’s.
2004
Nervous Vag finds a soulmate (burlesque clown collaboration with Craig Francis Power), Rising Tide Theatre, Trinity.
2003
Vag In the Mall (Buy Nothing Day demonstration performance), Avalon Mall, St. John’s.
2003
Burlesque-Esque (burlesque event hosted by Nervous Vag), TSUBar, St. John’s.
2003
Vag Attack (burlesque performance), Bianca’s, St. John’s.
2003
Vag and her Brothers (burlesque performance with Sean Panting and Phil Churchill), Rising Tide Theatre, Trinity.