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What is Clownlife all about?Clownlife facilitates programmes that explore the worlds of Clowning for life on and off the stage. The courses are designed and facilitated by Zuma Puma, A Canadian contemporary clown, who lives in the UK. Offering International Workshops, Artistic Residencies, Six Month Long Advanced Courses as well as Tailored Programmes for University and College cohorts around the world.
Zuma is also available for One to One Coaching and Private Direction as well as offering Online Courses in Creative Practice and Clowning. To read more about the Clownlife Upcoming Program Calendar dates , locations and prices find the Calendar tab above. To read more about the Program Options and Offerings please find the Courses tab above. Feel free to join our mailing list via the Contact tab above to be notified as and when a course has been released. |
“Great teachers are few and far between, but truly visionary ones are even more rare and worth their weight in gold. Zuma in her philosophies, teachings and continuous passionate spreading of ClownLife into this world is literally witnessing a contemporary visionary at work. For years, I have heard about Zuma’s unique insights to the creative voice and clown – and she delivers beyond any expectations, transcending our shared human condition into a self-charged gift into individual artistic expression. Zuma invites those around her to play with everything, embody everything and bring in creativity as a life practice for everyday.”- Elaine Weryshko (Coordinator for The Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry).
What Is The Approach?
The Clownlife pedagogy is focused on self research through the art and practice of clown with a strong focus on well-being and mindful living. Exploring the central questions: Who are you in relation to the self, the other and the natural world beyond? What is funny about you? How does the world see you? How do you connect? How do you fail or in other words flop? Can you laugh with yourself? What are the different masks (of your personality) that you wear? And ultimately how can we insist on following our pleasure to awaken our life force, to not take this life for granted but rather express authentically true to our nature and find our inward freedom to not only liberate ourselves but our audiences too? This work can lead to profound transformation not just in our performance and stage practice but above all it has the ability to transform our lives if we let it.
Where Does It Come From?
The facilitation of Clownlife and the interest in cultivating clown as a way of life on and off the stage is inspired by Zuma's extensive studies in personal development; as a Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, A Certified Embodied Dreamworker, Shamanic Apprenticeships, experiences in Vision Quests, Rites of Passage and spiritual mentorships. Combined with 14 years of clown training with more than 50 Clown teachers from a varying range of styles, aesthetics and pedagogies from around the world. To find out more about Zuma's training, performance experience and her facilitation style visit her Facilitator Bio in the About Section.
Who Are These Programs For?
The Clownlife approach is about meeting the comedy of life, in this way it is important that this work embraces everyone and excludes no one. Whether you are a professional actor looking to enhance your repertoire or a total beginner curious about how the work of clown can transform your life, this work is for you. The Clownlife community is an advocate for safe consensual space and welcomes anyone and everyone with a strong intention to create affordable training opportunities. If you have concerns regarding affordability and would like to enquire about instalment plans or bursary opportunities please get in touch.
Where Does It Take Place?
Most of the Clownlife happenings take place in the UK as that is where Zuma has been living since 2012. However, she is known to tour and travel regularly offering events around the Uk, Berlin Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia Canada. She has been known to tour to Australia, the United States, Mexico and Columbia and enjoys travelling with workshop offerings.
* If you are curious about bringing Clownlife to your region, theatre company, University etc. please do get in touch to discuss the possibilities.
The Clownlife pedagogy is focused on self research through the art and practice of clown with a strong focus on well-being and mindful living. Exploring the central questions: Who are you in relation to the self, the other and the natural world beyond? What is funny about you? How does the world see you? How do you connect? How do you fail or in other words flop? Can you laugh with yourself? What are the different masks (of your personality) that you wear? And ultimately how can we insist on following our pleasure to awaken our life force, to not take this life for granted but rather express authentically true to our nature and find our inward freedom to not only liberate ourselves but our audiences too? This work can lead to profound transformation not just in our performance and stage practice but above all it has the ability to transform our lives if we let it.
Where Does It Come From?
The facilitation of Clownlife and the interest in cultivating clown as a way of life on and off the stage is inspired by Zuma's extensive studies in personal development; as a Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, A Certified Embodied Dreamworker, Shamanic Apprenticeships, experiences in Vision Quests, Rites of Passage and spiritual mentorships. Combined with 14 years of clown training with more than 50 Clown teachers from a varying range of styles, aesthetics and pedagogies from around the world. To find out more about Zuma's training, performance experience and her facilitation style visit her Facilitator Bio in the About Section.
Who Are These Programs For?
The Clownlife approach is about meeting the comedy of life, in this way it is important that this work embraces everyone and excludes no one. Whether you are a professional actor looking to enhance your repertoire or a total beginner curious about how the work of clown can transform your life, this work is for you. The Clownlife community is an advocate for safe consensual space and welcomes anyone and everyone with a strong intention to create affordable training opportunities. If you have concerns regarding affordability and would like to enquire about instalment plans or bursary opportunities please get in touch.
Where Does It Take Place?
Most of the Clownlife happenings take place in the UK as that is where Zuma has been living since 2012. However, she is known to tour and travel regularly offering events around the Uk, Berlin Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia Canada. She has been known to tour to Australia, the United States, Mexico and Columbia and enjoys travelling with workshop offerings.
* If you are curious about bringing Clownlife to your region, theatre company, University etc. please do get in touch to discuss the possibilities.
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UPCOMING At A Glance!
For extended information on the upcoming programmes please see the Calendar page or join the mailing list on the contact page.
For extended information on the upcoming programmes please see the Calendar page or join the mailing list on the contact page.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
CLOWN & RITUAL RETREAT
July 10th-14th
Dartmoor South Devon- The Ridiculous House
From £395 - £550 (sliding scale)
Check out upcoming tab above for more info & a downloadable flyer
Apply Here:
forms.gle/87g5SLESguxWZjyq6
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SYNERGETIC PLAYGROUND
Collaboration with Christie Animas
August 13th - 17th - Main retreat
August 13th - 21st - Full 8 day retreat
Dartmoor South Devon- The Ridiculous House
This retreat explores the relationship between Clowning & Fooling
From £444+ for the 5 day
& £666+ for the 8 day
More info & Registration Here:
https://christieanimas.com/synergetic-playground-august-2025/
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UPCOMING LIVE GIGS
Zuma Puma is The Clown Arcana
August 28th- 31st
Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol, UK
Tickets here: https://thewardrobetheatre.com/shows/zuma-puma-is-the-clown-arcana/
To enquire about my offers please email me at [email protected]
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CURRENT UPDATE:
I have thankfully received funding from the Uk Arts Council to develop written references
regarding my research and work in Clown & Ritual. I am currently working with international mentors,
investing my time and energy in my writing and research on my latest book 'The Clown Arcana' A referential book exploring The major Archetypes of the Tarot through what I call the 'clown lens'.
I will be running fewer programs than usual until April 2024 to focus on my writing and studies.
If you are curious about the work please join my mailing list below or
follow me on instagram @zumapuma.clownlife or @clownlife.global
to follow Clownlife developments and research.
More coming soon, stay tuned!
CURRENT UPDATE:
I have thankfully received funding from the Uk Arts Council to develop written references
regarding my research and work in Clown & Ritual. I am currently working with international mentors,
investing my time and energy in my writing and research on my latest book 'The Clown Arcana' A referential book exploring The major Archetypes of the Tarot through what I call the 'clown lens'.
I will be running fewer programs than usual until April 2024 to focus on my writing and studies.
If you are curious about the work please join my mailing list below or
follow me on instagram @zumapuma.clownlife or @clownlife.global
to follow Clownlife developments and research.
More coming soon, stay tuned!
News & Updates!
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It's amazing, soul lifting, transformative work through liberating play and restores you to the very essence of who you are as a being... Loved the weekend"- Moniqa Islam (Participant of multiple weekend intensives over the years)
An intense, yet insightful, fun inspiring course... Whether you're an actor, comedian, performer or even someone who wants to learn about yourself and laugh a ton in the process, this course is for you!"- Verity Stansall-Dupont (Participant Weekend Intensive 2016).
For more testimonials CLICK HERE or visit Clownlife on Facebook (link below)
Become a Patreon (link above) to follow all things Clownlife- with access to Zuma Puma comedy videos, articles, online courses, meditations and discounts on future Clownlife workshops and more.
What Clownlife has to offer?
ARTISTIC NATURE RETREATS
Clown and Ritual performance Retreats and Residencies have been designed to embrace the natural world through the research of Clown. The invitation is for a group of dynamic and curious artists interested in the work of clown, ritual and/or performance to join in an enquiry based process exploring clown and ritual in relationship to ourselves and the land. Engaging with the natural environment to inform our artistic enquiry related to researching the self and the depths and intricacies of who and how we are in beautiful natural places around the world. In these retreats we devise and develop new material, play games, dance, sing, laugh, live as a supportive community, share deeply in talking circles and perform non religious rituals on the land all in honour of the clowns wisdom within and beyond.
For more info see the Artistic Nature retreats tab above. |
WEEKEND INTENSIVES
Join Clownlife in a 2 day intensive of playful self development through the vehicle of clown- focusing on play, connection, failing well, authenticity, self acceptance and risk. A fun and insightful way to discover more of yourself and what makes you funny.
These workshops welcome all walks of life from professional performance backgrounds, comedians, public speakers to those who want to learn about themselves, connect with a community and laugh a ton in the process. Zuma works with participants and wherever they are at in relation to the work so whether you are a seasoned professional have already done a weekend intensive before or are brand new to the work, there is always much to learn and gain from these workshops. To find out about upcoming intensives or to enquire about bringing an intensive to your area please get in touch via the contact tab above and find out more in the Courses tab above. |
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS
Introductory courses are available for those who are curious about clown and would like to see what the work is all about. The classes tend to last around 2 hours in length and are sometimes part of a longer series of weekly evening classes.
These courses are available to give players a good insight into the embodied practice of clown as a way of being beyond the stage. These workshops are packed with movement practice, games, a short history of the clown nose, the philosophy behind the work and all of the ways it is being developed in the world today from Circus to street to theatre clown and beyond. Maybe you are someone who has heard about clown or has seen it in action and are curious to take the plunge to gain a more in depth understanding of what its all about? If so, join our mailing list to find out more. |
ONLINE COURSES
The Clownlife online courses offer a wonderful opportunity to get creative, meet other creatives around the globe and feel supported in your practice in the comfort of your own home.
The online courses take place on zoom and are usually offered as a longer series of workshops, to help support the creative process. Whether you consider yourself a creative or not, whether you are professional or a hobbyist, these courses are for everyone. The Clownlife belief is that art is food for the soul and should be made accessible to everyone, we are all creative. It is not about being the best, it is about tapping into our creative life force and filling the world with art because we all know we all need it, the more the better. These courses follow the arc of the hero's journey and centre around a foundation of wellbeing. It is our belief that creativity is life force, a well spring of inspiration and the more we tap into this the more we express, share and experience the fullness of life. We meet every week for 2 hours to dance, write, create, make, share, clown, get creative and support one another in the process. There is a reason why so many regulars are coming back time and time again and the courses sell out in under a week every time... Feel free to check out our online course options above in the Courses tab and the calendar to find out about upcoming dates etc. 
UNIVERSITIES & THEATRE COMPANIES
Workshops and intensives designed especially to meet the desired outcome of your curriculum, students, theatre company or community.
Zuma will work with you and your department to design the perfect course to help bond and build the ensemble of your class/group whilst learning the techniques behind clown and the essential elements of stage craft (as through the clown lens). |
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Upcoming Shows!
Stay tuned for for the latest of my new work in Progress The Clown Arcana.
Upcoming Live Performance Gigs:
November 10th 2024~ London~ Tarot Immersive Show- The Journey of the Fool~
* Starring a cast of 22 of London’s most notorious clowns playing the major arcana of the Tarot at The Betsey Trotwood in Clarkenwell, London- Produced by Sally Ruth Davies in collaboration with London Clown Fest and The Divine Ridiculous.
Tickets Here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/farringdon/the-betsey-trotwood/london-clown-tarot-a-fools-journey
November 16th 2024 ~ Feast Festival ~ Great Malvern, UK
* My latest Work in Progress reveals an hour of the ridiculous in a comedic live immersive reading of the Tarot
Award winning and critically acclaimed Canadian comedy ritual clown Zuma Puma will grace the Feast stage with her latest work in progress show: The Clown Arcana. Zuma will be playing the major archetypes of her hand made Clown Tarot deck as the games master of a live collective tarot reading. Expect interactive games and rituals of the ridiculous in this communing with the moment to explore what must be on this day, at this time with this crowd. A full expression improvisation and once in a lifetime moment never to be experienced again. Expect the unexpected, and get ready to dive into an immersive world of ancient archetypes and the insights that arise in being alive together, here and now with this 5-star international performer.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/feast-theatre-festival/t-xmlzrvg
Upcoming Live Performance Gigs:
November 10th 2024~ London~ Tarot Immersive Show- The Journey of the Fool~
* Starring a cast of 22 of London’s most notorious clowns playing the major arcana of the Tarot at The Betsey Trotwood in Clarkenwell, London- Produced by Sally Ruth Davies in collaboration with London Clown Fest and The Divine Ridiculous.
Tickets Here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/farringdon/the-betsey-trotwood/london-clown-tarot-a-fools-journey
November 16th 2024 ~ Feast Festival ~ Great Malvern, UK
* My latest Work in Progress reveals an hour of the ridiculous in a comedic live immersive reading of the Tarot
Award winning and critically acclaimed Canadian comedy ritual clown Zuma Puma will grace the Feast stage with her latest work in progress show: The Clown Arcana. Zuma will be playing the major archetypes of her hand made Clown Tarot deck as the games master of a live collective tarot reading. Expect interactive games and rituals of the ridiculous in this communing with the moment to explore what must be on this day, at this time with this crowd. A full expression improvisation and once in a lifetime moment never to be experienced again. Expect the unexpected, and get ready to dive into an immersive world of ancient archetypes and the insights that arise in being alive together, here and now with this 5-star international performer.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/feast-theatre-festival/t-xmlzrvg
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THE CLOWN ARCANA - BY ZUMA PUMA
My latest Work in Progress reveals an hour of the ridiculous in a comedic live immersive reading of the Tarot Award winning and critically acclaimed Canadian comedy ritual clown Zuma Puma will be playing the major archetypes of her hand made Clown Tarot deck as the games master of a live collective tarot reading. Expect interactive games and rituals of the ridiculous in this communing with the moment to explore what must be on this day, at this time with this crowd. A full expression improvisation and once in a lifetime moment never to be experienced again. Expect the unexpected, and get ready to dive into an immersive world of ancient archetypes and the insights that arise in being alive together, here and now with this 5-star international performer. |
Don’t Do it, Don’t Do it, DO IT!
A CLOWN ODYSSEY OF SEXUAL CATASTROPHE
Zuma Puma presents a one woman show "unlike anything you've seen before." No one likes to be told what to do, least of all Zuma Puma, especially when facing the Good Girl’s Dilemma: DO IT or DON’T DO IT?... DO IT, Obviously!
Blending clown, puppetry, mask and music, Zuma battles her inner monster, shape shifting through characters in an uplifting and thought-provoking narrative that celebrates women and sexuality, confronts toxic patriarchal BS and brings an end to shame. Join this award-winning, Gaulier-Pochinko trained clown and her singing vagina on an Odyssey of Sexual Catastrophe.
Get your Tickets here: Currently not playing...
A CLOWN ODYSSEY OF SEXUAL CATASTROPHE
Zuma Puma presents a one woman show "unlike anything you've seen before." No one likes to be told what to do, least of all Zuma Puma, especially when facing the Good Girl’s Dilemma: DO IT or DON’T DO IT?... DO IT, Obviously!
Blending clown, puppetry, mask and music, Zuma battles her inner monster, shape shifting through characters in an uplifting and thought-provoking narrative that celebrates women and sexuality, confronts toxic patriarchal BS and brings an end to shame. Join this award-winning, Gaulier-Pochinko trained clown and her singing vagina on an Odyssey of Sexual Catastrophe.
Get your Tickets here: Currently not playing...
ONLINE response to Covid-19
WHO IS Zuma Puma? (SHORT BIOGRAPHY)
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VICE GERMANY Features ClownlifeVICE Germany came and filmed a CLOWNLIFE workshop in Berlin in February 2020, here is a short DOC they made about the work and its relationship to healing and self development. Tune in to find out more.
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Zuma Puma aka. Nelly Scott is a Canadian/British Clown, Comedian and Neuro Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner. Zuma founded Clownlife in early 2016 a program designed to encourage a happy life full of connection, laughter, self research/development through the vehicles of Clown, Improv, NLP life coaching, psycho magic and ritual- supporting performers, artistic repertoire, performance craft and technique as well as individuals looking to live whole heartedly, understand who they are and how they are seen in the world and laugh a ton in the process.
Besides her work in transformational facilitation Zuma is an award winning actress (The Bernard Shaw Award and The Christopher Newton Awards). In 2012 Zuma moved to London, UK and founded the International Lost Cabaret-London's most alternative comedy night; which has since grown to become a collective initiative since 2016 and now appears regularly in; London, Bristol UK, Paris France, Melbourne Australia and is a festival favourite at the International Edinburgh Fringe. Zuma is the visionary, creator of the YouTube comedy series; Grumpy Lettuce and Quarantine House, as well as a solo clown performer currently touring her latest One Woman Show- Don't Do it, Don't Do it, DO IT- Internationally.
Over the years she has toured 14 countries from North to South America and across Europe performing and teaching Clownlife workshops with Universities, festivals, theatres, streets, communities, charities, retreat centres, Schools, has also assisted individuals with one to one coaching for devising/directing theatre as well as life coaching and support in life and the arts.
See the Calendar page to find out where she will be next...
Besides her work in transformational facilitation Zuma is an award winning actress (The Bernard Shaw Award and The Christopher Newton Awards). In 2012 Zuma moved to London, UK and founded the International Lost Cabaret-London's most alternative comedy night; which has since grown to become a collective initiative since 2016 and now appears regularly in; London, Bristol UK, Paris France, Melbourne Australia and is a festival favourite at the International Edinburgh Fringe. Zuma is the visionary, creator of the YouTube comedy series; Grumpy Lettuce and Quarantine House, as well as a solo clown performer currently touring her latest One Woman Show- Don't Do it, Don't Do it, DO IT- Internationally.
Over the years she has toured 14 countries from North to South America and across Europe performing and teaching Clownlife workshops with Universities, festivals, theatres, streets, communities, charities, retreat centres, Schools, has also assisted individuals with one to one coaching for devising/directing theatre as well as life coaching and support in life and the arts.
See the Calendar page to find out where she will be next...