In November 2023, Clowns Without Borders (CWB) toured Puebla, Mexico, a city along the path of La Bestia, the infamous train network that runs from southern Mexico to Ciudad Juarez. For adult and child immigrants, often journeying the rooftop of the train, La Bestia symbolizes risk and determination, two necessary companions for the journey north. In this post, you’ll witness the transformative power of humor in the face of adversity through audience participation, shared fears, and moments of pure joy. Let’s jump in! (Quotes throughout the post are from Molly Shannon.) A Clown Show Next to La ..read more

Imagine shouting “My life is magical!” alongside your friends and family and, for a few moments, feeling the truth of it. That’s the clown energy felt by families in El Salvador during a recent Clowns Without Borders-USA (CWB-USA) tour. In our universe, imaginative play is a tool — a bridge for people experiencing displacement caused by conflict, political turbulence, economic struggle, and environmental crisis. El Salvador, where people face multiple causes of displacement, found itself in the spotlight of a tour in November 2023. Join us under the big top to learn how clown energy brought pl ..read more

Step right up and discover the world of clowning in the heart of the Big Apple! If you’ve ever dreamt of donning a red nose and bringing laughter to the masses, then look no further than the clowning classes in NYC. This post covers the benefits of clown classes, clowning techniques, how to choose the right class for you, and particular studios you’ll want to check out. Are you ready? It’s show time! Reasons to Take a Clowning Class in NYC (or Anywhere) CWB Artist Juan Pablo Flores (AKA Epi Clown) on tour in Guatemala, 2023. Beyond learning how to make people laugh, clowning classes are a s ..read more

Are you amid challenging circumstances, curious about how humor could help as a coping mechanism? You’re in luck, because you’ve just stumbled upon a troupe of professional clowns (yes, real-life clowns) who are ready to guide you to joy. Humor isn’t just about belly laughs; it’s a powerful tool to ease stress, lift spirits, and connect with others. Our clowns have witnessed these benefits firsthand for people in crisis. This post explores the effectiveness of humor as a coping mechanism. You’ll also learn how to make humor a priority in your life. Hop in the clown car — it’s time to get this ..read more

Migrant caravan through Mexico. Boat migrants to Italy. Busloads of migrants arriving in New York City. Migrant crisis. These are phrases we’ve heard A LOT — and in some iteration or another, they’re phrases that we as humans have heard for basically as long as we’ve had the language to communicate. In a world as large, diverse, and unequal as ours, migration is and always will be a fact of life.  But what is a migrant exactly? And what do migrants have to do with clowns? Glad you asked! Step right up and join the CWB clowns on a whirlwind tour of all things migration:  Migrant defi ..read more

Are you amid challenging circumstances, curious about how humor could help as a coping mechanism? You’re in luck, because you’ve just stumbled upon a troupe of professional clowns (yes, real-life clowns) who are ready to guide you to joy. Humor isn’t just about belly laughs; it’s a powerful tool to ease stress, lift spirits, and connect with others. Our clowns have witnessed these benefits firsthand for people in crisis. This post explores the effectiveness of humor as a coping mechanism. You’ll also learn how to make humor a priority in your life. Hop in the clown car — it’s time to get this ..read more

If you compare your play life to that of a clown, you might suddenly feel fun-deficient. But is it true? What about all the ways you do play? Like cutting a unique life path, cooking without a recipe, or swapping silly jokes with a special kid in your life. This last post in a series of three on ‘right to play’ will first remind you of your inherent playfulness. With this new outlook, you’ll be well-positioned to take action and become a Right to Play Champion. I’ll share three ways to do just that. Grab your play passport and let’s roll! Knowing Yourself as a Homo Luden Clowns pose with audi ..read more

Last month, we talked about clowns who defend kids’ right to play in Zimbabwe. But you might wonder why the right to play matters so much. And why does play need to be defended in areas of crisis? Clowns who have witnessed the transformative power of play help me answer these questions in this second post of three in a series about the right to play. Why Does Protecting Play as a Human Right Matter? A girl plays clown during a CWB tour in the West Bank, 2019. “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison You may have heard tha ..read more

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). Our fearless tour producer was Teddy Mangawa and our partners were Zimbabwe Theatre Academy and the Ministry of Refugees. The artists had the high honor of being the first clowns many children had ever met. And they brought a range of talents with them: juggling, comedy — and puppetry. In this post, you’ll explore the use of pup ..read more

The devastation caused by Hurricane Maria is no laughing matter. In 2017, it compelled nearly 5% of Puerto Rico residents to leave the island. But for those determined to stay — or unable to leave — recovery feels like running with a rubber band around your waist, yanking you back. In May 2023, Clowns Without Borders arrived in Puerto Rico for a two-week tour that brought laughter and joy to survivors of storms, Covid, and earthquakes. The tour included CWB artists Arturo Gaskins (Puerto Rico), Leo Maldonado (Puerto Rico), Robin Lara (Mainland), and Bella Schleiker (Mainland). Our partner was ..read more