Chekhov and Clowning Workshop
Clowning was central to Michael Chekhov’s practice and it featured in his training programme at Dartington College of the Arts. The Collective is continuing its tradition of exploring play and clowning with this session. This workshop will be led by two clowns who are part of the Chekhov Collective community, Cordelia Stevenson and Hester Welch. This workshop is open to complete beginners and those with experience of Chekhov Technique / Clowning. Please wear comfortable clothing.
Course Information
Saturday 25 April 2026
10.30-5.30pm
Access: This studio is accessible - please let us know if you have access needs in advance.
Ticket prices: Full price £35 / Concession £27
(All events are for participants over the age of 18)
Pay It Forward & Supported Places
If you’re able, you can choose our Pay It Forward option and purchase a place for someone who may not otherwise be able to attend. Your contribution helps us open these workshops to a wider community of artists and creatives.
We also offer two full scholarship places. If cost is a barrier to participation, please email The Chekhov Collective Team to enquire.
About the Workshop: Further information coming soon.
tHE pRACTITONERS
Cordelia Stevenson is a clown, theatre-maker and director based in Merseyside. Blending humour, play, and collaboration, she creates performance that delights and challenges audiences. Cordelia is co-founder of the theatre company Silent Faces, makers of physical, political, foolish theatre, including their critically acclaimed ‘Godot is a Woman’. With over a decade of facilitation experience, she has worked extensively with young people as a Mentor Director for National Theatre Connections, and has regularly toured with the Olivier Award nominated Splendid Productions. Cordelia trained at Goldsmiths College, University of London, studying Michael Chekhov technique under Dr. Cass Fleming, and has further studied clown with leading international teachers, including John Wright, Deanna Fleysher (Butt Kapinski) and Phil Burgers (Dr. Brown).
Hester Welch is an International Theatre Maker, Clown, Director, Performer, Teacher and Community Arts Facilitator. Play is at the heart of her work. She devises performances that are socially engaged, highly visual, physical, sensory, interactive and often immersive. Her specific artistic interests lie in interdisciplinary collaboration, embodiment practice and participatory experiences in non-theatre spaces. She has directed and taught actors, artists, students, teachers, and community groups in the UK, India, Malaysia, China, France, Italy and Indonesia. Most recently she has taught clown at Bristol School Of Acting and Bristol Clown School, as well as trained non-actors in confidence, teamwork, public speaking and facilitation skills through play (NHS, UK, Marphy’s Playhouse, China, and Borderlands Charity, UK). Trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier (France), Goldsmiths (University of London, UK), Chekhov Collective (UK), National Association of Street Artists UK, Trinity Laban Centre (UK), National Theatre (UK), SACPA (Indonesia) and with Clowns Without Borders (UK). She is Co-Artistic Director of Malaysian based company, Wayang Kitchen, who fuse food and performance. She is founder and co-founder of The Lost Cabaret Bristol and Paris, respectively. She has worked with devised & physical theatre pioneers David Glass Ensemble for 6 years, as well as Omnibus Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Trinity Community Arts, Goldsmith’s University, Poplar Union, Bristol Beacon, The Egg Theatre Royal, The Wardrobe Theatre, Now Theatre (MY), Teatro dei Rozzi (IT), Shoreditch Town Hall, Jackson’s Lane, Borderlands Charity, Bristol Refugee Festival, Legal Aliens Theatre, Filskit Theatre, Roustabout Theatre, Shambala, Latitude, Melaka MAP (MY), London Clown and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, as well as unconventional spaces such as Bristol Zoo, the Brunel Tunnel Shaft, Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum, and the streets of Paris, London, Melaka and Bristol.