TNT UNIVERSITY

A Christian Clown Retreat - TOCCOA, GEORGIA

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:  ANGELA GONZALEZ (tntuniversityclowncamp@gmail.com; 317-840-1583)

At TNT Clown University we are constantly looking for ways to improve and further clown education. In 2009, we went to an intensive track teaching program, and it was well received. In this new teaching program, the students attended the same track daily and learned more information on a specific area of clowning covered in the track than the student could have learned in a 1 – 2 hour class.

 In 2010, we took it a bit further. The program was so well received that we are going to continue it into the future. We are continuing with the intensive track format with a few adjustments in staff and curriculum. The tracks all five days of camp, and at the end of the track training, each class will have some type of test administered to make sure they learned the material covered in their respective training track. Upon passing the test, the student is deemed proficient in that area of study.

 An Associate Degree in Clown Arts is obtainable in two ways.  Anyone who has been clowning for 3 years or more can take the “basic clowning” test, which allows them to essentially "test out" of taking the Basics 101 Training Track.  The Associate Degree will be awarded after this test is passed.  Anyone who has been clowning for less than three years will need to take the Basics 101 Training Track, pass the test and receive the Associate Degree in Clown Arts.

 After the Associate Degree has been earned, a student may move on to any other track they wish. Each subsequent track training that is completed successfully (passing any administered test by instructors), will earn the student a Bachelors Degree in Clown Arts in that area of study. After completing the Associate Degree and another two tracks successfully (two Bachelors), the student will receive a Master's Degree in Clown Arts in the additional (third or fourth) area of study. Finally, after successfully completing the Associate Degree, two Bachelors, and three Masters, a student is then eligible to receive a Doctorate Degree. In addition to completing the Associat, Bachelors and Masters Degrees, the student must demonstrate proficiency in three different clown skills; such as: face painting (ability to paint at least 5 different designs); balloon sculpturing (be able to twist at least five different designs); plate spinning, juggling, stilt walking, balancing, puppetry/ventriloquism, or other skill used in clowning. (Time requirements up to five minutes may be imposed on the duration of performing certain skills.) 

 Upon completing six of the tracks and achieving a Doctorate Degree, a student can continue their Clown Arts education and receive subsequent Graduate Degrees in Clown Arts for each additional year of study completion. Track Training areas are often cycled through and may not be the same year after year, and therefore, it is possible to take a new track study even after a Doctorate Degree is earned.