Path With Art
Virtual Fun with Military Veterans, Clowning Around @ Path With Art!!
Over the past eight weeks, I had the honor of sharing a virtual space with eleven remarkable individuals on a journey through Clowning. What began as a leap of faith turned into one of the most moving, joyful, and transformational teaching experiences of my career.
Earlier this year, the team at Path with Art invited me to lead a virtual Clowning class for Veterans. I was immediately intrigued—and genuinely curious. Although my background includes years of performing as a clown and guiding students to embrace playfulness and vulnerability in physical spaces, I found myself wondering about the unique possibilities of translating clown’s essential elements—play, presence, and connection—into a meaningful virtual experience over Zoom.
What I discovered surprised me. Not only was it possible, it was powerful.
I’ll admit, I hadn’t fully understood the scope of Path with Art’s mission before saying yes. But from the very first meeting, I felt the depth of their purpose: to restore individuals and communities from the effects of trauma through arts engagement and community-building. That mission wasn’t just words on a page—it was present in every interaction, every support email, every moment shared with staff, teaching artists, volunteers, and most importantly, the students.
Why Was This Transformational?
I felt immense pride in offering a space of play and creativity to veterans.
It challenged and expanded my assumptions about military veterans and their lived experiences.
It taught me new ways to build genuine connection and presence in a virtual space.
It reminded me how laughter can be a bridge between worlds—especially when rooted in trust.
I witnessed participants courageously embrace vulnerability, humor, and creativity, discovering new ways to express themselves and build confidence in a supportive, playful space.
Over eight weeks, we explored what clowning can look like in a digital world—using breakout rooms, shared whiteboards, video clips, screen sharing, and the humble Zoom chat to spark creativity, vulnerability, and comedy. We played games. We created characters. We got absurd. We laughed—a lot. And sometimes, we cried too.
Four weeks into the program, we shipped each student their own Clown nose. In the world of clowning, we often describe the nose as the smallest mask—and anyone who's ever worn one can attest to its power. Although I no longer perform wearing a Clown nose, it was an invaluable part of my own early journey. There's something inherently joyful and wonderfully absurd about slipping on a Clown nose. When I checked in about the noses, reactions were wonderfully diverse: some students eagerly arrived in class already sporting their nose; others had it nearby but hesitated to put it on; and a few were initially baffled or even cautious about the mysterious red nose they'd received in the mail. One participant enthusiastically declared their new Clown nose as their newfound "superpower." Together, we gently explored the playful vulnerability that emerges when wearing—or removing—the nose. This small yet powerful object united us deeply, making our virtual gathering tangible and vibrant in unexpected ways.
Nearly twenty-two years ago, I removed my Clown nose and began exploring clowning beyond its symbolic power. Yet, witnessing the profound impact of the nose during our sessions reminded me of its enduring value as a tool for joy, connection, education, and transformation. It will now forever remain at my side.
For two months, our "Clowning Around" class was consistently the highlight of my week. From curating videos of renowned clowns aligned with each week's theme to meticulously crafting curriculum and facilitating lively activities, every moment of preparation was a labor of love.
Admittedly, virtual clowning is not without its hurdles. While digital platforms offer intriguing possibilities for visual play, the essence of human interaction—particularly in improvisation, comedic timing, and physical spontaneity—faces unique constraints online. Yet, despite these challenges, our weekly gatherings overflowed with authentic connection, absurdity, and profound joy.
Together, we laughed heartily, shared genuine tears, courageously embraced personal risks, and built lasting friendships.
And my students? They rose to every challenge with humor, courage, curiosity, and so much heart. Their respect for the process—and for each other—was palpable. Together, we created what I can only describe as a small, sacred space of connection and levity.
We laughed, we took creative risks, we shared our absurdities, and we built lasting friendships.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
A Final Thank You
To the entire Path with Art team: thank you for your vision, your care, and your dedication to transformational arts programming. From onboarding to final evaluations, I felt seen, supported, and empowered as a teaching artist.
To the students who showed up week after week, ready to play: thank you for your trust, your humor, your generosity, and your open hearts.
This experience reaffirmed something I’ve always believed—that Clowning, at its best, isn’t just about laughter. It’s about connection. It's about presence. It's about healing.
And that’s no joke.