What is Idiot Theatre?

Members of Idiot Theatre posing on stage at Denver's Chaos Bloom Theater with the audience and a sold out crowd, some making playful gestures and faces, in a black-and-white photo by Bryan Richard Martin.

Idiot Theatre is a Denver-based contemporary clown troupe, training ground and production hub for modern clowning, creative ideation and physical comedy. We’re focused on bringing never-before-seen alt-comedy, clown and experimental theater to life in The Mile High City. 

We create and produce self-funded shows and have been featured on Colorado Public Radio, Denver Westword, The Denver Gazette and Stand Up and Clown. The Idiots have played in backyards, comedy clubs and parking lots all over Colorado.

SHOWS

What is “clown”?

If you’re new to the concept of “clown”, you might already be familiar with clowning and not even realize it. Some clowns you may have seen before include Andy Kaufman, Eric André, Natalie Palamides, Johnny Knoxville, Connor Storrie and Lucille Ball.

A clown is anyone brave enough to play at the edge of their own discomfort. Clowns perform earnestly in front of an audience without a 4th wall. This means performances can change based on the energy the audience brings to the room. It’s a high-stakes style of comedy that finds humor in the too much-ness of life, turning awkwardness and honesty into a shared experience between the performers and their audiences.

Note: we believe everyone should have access to their arts community, regardless of income. We have select sliding scale tickets available for each show - contact us to reserve a sliding scale ticket or to set up a trade with us (we can always use a photographer, videographer or stagehand).

History of Idiot Theatre

In 2021, a gaggle of us met each other while in a Chad Damiani clown class at Rise Comedy in Denver (we think this might make Chad our step-dad?) We decided to play together more soon after, and Chad kindly worked with us a few times online and in-person (whenever they were in town) while we figured out how to run a show with 10 people.

The gaggle of us included: Tiff Ogburn, Rach Angard, Julianna “Juls” Beckert, Val Vasilas, Mike Tappan, Alissa “Lis” Ahlberg, Todd Sullivan, Jean Caruccio and Alice Gillette.

From 2022-2024, Idiot Theatre was produced primarily by Alice Gillette.

Juls Beckert made our logo and also helped with producing, devising and directing. During this time, Idiot Theatre performed twice a month at Rise Comedy and at Chaos Bloom Theater in Denver.

Soon after, Juls and Lis started teaching clown classes. Alice started a free clown jam. Then, the idiots started booking the folks they met at the classes and the clown jams to perform during Idiot Theatre (we guess this is how clown babies are made?)

And slowly, an indie clown scene began to emerge in the city. A few of us started teaching more, directing more and getting more and more busy being idiots.

In 2024, Kii Clark and Patrick Reed took over Idiot Theatre and started running their own clown show Jesting Grounds. It currently runs every 2nd Friday at Chaos Bloom Theater in Denver.

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Training with Idiot Theatre:

Idiot Theatre doesn’t offer classes as a collective at this time, but our members (past and present) do teach clowning in Colorado.

Where to Take Clown Classes in Denver

The past and present clowns of Idiot Theatre are still good friends and sometimes perform in and around Denver. Below is a list of some of the “Idiots” teaching clown and comedy in the Denver area.

You can click their name for classes or contact info:

Where to Find Live Contemporary Clown Shows and Experimental Theater in Denver

When Freaky Weeky ends in March, the clown car keeps honking in Colorado! You can visit Blake’s Colorado Clown calendar for more clown shows and classes in Colorado: http://clowncal.com/. It’s updated regularly and is a reference a bunch of us use to know who’s playing and where.

To ask us if the band can get back together for a one off show, contact Kii or Alice.