Coney Island Clown Skool Expands as Nonprofit with 2025 Intensive Program

The Coney Island Clown Skool will welcome students from across the country for an intensive week of training from September 14–21, 2025, building on its successful inaugural year by now operating as a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation solidifies its mission to preserve, celebrate, and advance clowning not only as a performance art but as a cultural legacy that inspires laughter across generations.

Clowning, rooted in vulnerability, physical storytelling, and improvisation, teaches artists to connect deeply with audiences through humor, honesty, and surprise. As one of the oldest and most versatile performance forms, its skills extend beyond the circus ring to influence theater, street performance, cabaret, and even corporate public speaking, shaping timing, character, and audience engagement. The Skool aims to honor this tradition while equipping a new generation to bring clowning into fresh contexts.

Founded by veteran clown Glen Heroy, the program has grown significantly in its second year, reflecting a broader hunger for the joyful art of clowning. Heroy emphasizes the vision of creating an inclusive space for connection through laughter and training, now establishing a lasting home for clown arts in America. The Skool's location in Coney Island is intentional, as the area has long been a proving ground for performers who shaped American comedy and vaudeville, with historic ties to legends like the Three Stooges and Marx Brothers.

With guidance from Coney Island USA, the nonprofit behind attractions like the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and Mermaid Parade, the Clown Skool advances the tradition of showmanship and satire. Adam Rinn, Artistic Director of Coney Island USA, notes that the program brings creativity and energy to the area, keeping the art form alive in its iconic setting.

The 2025 session, under the slogan "Enter Curious, Leave Inspired," features hands-on training with renowned instructors, including Clown Fundamentals with Glen Heroy, Puppetry with Tyler Bunch of the Jim Henson Company, Mime Arts with Becky Baumwoll, and workshops led by master clowns from institutions like Ringling Bros. and Cirque Du Soleil. Additional activities include a field trip to UniverSoul Circus, performances on the Coney Island Sideshow Stage, and one-on-one mentoring.

Public events during the session include Flavors of Magic on September 18, a magical showcase blending wonder and comedy, with tickets available through FlavorsOfMagic.com, and a Student Showcase on September 20 featuring original clown performances with suggested donations supporting Coney Island USA. Aspiring clowns, actors, educators, and curious minds are invited to attend; more information is available at ConeyIslandClownSkool.com.

The Skool's expansion as a nonprofit underscores the enduring relevance of clowning, offering a structured environment for learning an art form that fosters emotional truth, community, and innovation in performance. This development not only benefits participants but also contributes to the cultural vitality of Coney Island and the broader performing arts landscape.