Discovering the Clown, or The Funny Book of Good Acting

I love Chris Bayes and everything he teaches! A true master.

This book is so beneficial and packed with incredible and poignant advice for both performers, and anyone else who feels they lost their sense of play.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I'm a theater person, teacher, actor and have been a hospital clown for a long time! I love his philosophy, his writing, the way his wacky brain thinks, his imagination, his examples in the book, just EVERYTHING! I wish I could be my clown 24/7! And, I suppose I almost can! Thanks for a fabulous delicious book!

This is an amazing book if you're willing to consider what it’s saying. Full of insights, at least for me. If being moved is a thing you want and enjoy, its ponderables do that in spades. It’s magnificently provocative. At least for me.I should say i took Baye’s 2 day class in LA before reading this. My sense is that the book makes the most sense read afterwards. But that’s just the direction i prefer; physical then intellectual. Others may prefer intellectual then physical. Doing both really drives home its points. It was one of the most remarkable things I've ever done. I was surprised by what i saw come out in others, what came out in me, and how perceptive this guy is as a provocateur. This guy is a treasure for what he gets you to do, think, feel, and express, even if you're not an actor, clown, or performer. I’m a visual artist so “clowning” was not even close to being on my radar, until that is, my 20 yr old kid who had taken the 2 day course a couple months earlier said w absolute intensity, “do this!” Having now gone through it, had covid not hit the world hard, i would've done the next longer session. The value of all this -book and class- is that it pushes you. And as scary as that could be, it was one of the most fun, interesting, elucidating moments in my life. (This is not hyperbole.)

This taught me to think of comedy in a whole new way! Such an honest and simple attack to a very complex subject. Mandatory reading for all theatre makers!

Having met him, taken his class, and later following up with reading the book, I’m telling you… go find your clown! It’ll be the bravest and silliest thing you try. Go discover some pure parts of yourself!I struggled in his class so having the book now let’s me wrestle more with this crazy clown.Thanks again, Chris!

From one of thee top Acting Legends of the Theatre. Teaching at the top institutions across the American landscape and internationally. This man, this Mentor, Educator, fabulous director and artist has helped many many amazing artists find their funny bone and more importantly their voice, their freedom as Artists. There are many misconceptions about “clown” teaching. This book is extremely helpful of breaking down the artistry of the heart of clown. And it takes a lot of wah wah to get to ha ha. If you want more take his workshop! Anyone can take it! Any level! Any background! Pandemonium Studio! It’s life changing. This book is a must for all Actors.

Gorgeous. Funny. And deeply poetic......a must on any aspiring clown's shelf

Wonderful! Run to get this at “ the speed of fun!”