SMALL MINDED
When Tyler was a little boy, he wanted to grow up and be a clown. Come to find out, it was a lot harder to achieve the former than the latter. When Tyler began his clown journey, he wore lots of makeup and a wig, but the makeup, wig, and nose othered him even more. While other clowns have a mask they can take off, dwarfism does not allow this. “As a clown, I am comfortable with people laughing at me. As a person, I am not.” Can these things be separated? A lot of people have heard about dwarfism, but how many know about what it means to be living with dwarfism in today's society?
TYLER WEST
Tyler West, from Tucson, Arizona, was born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. In 7th grade, he saw Cirque Du Soleil, and was immediately inspired to become a clown. This eventually led him to The University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Acting. After college, Tyler has made a career of being a full-time clown and physical comedian, traveling the world, from burlesque bars in NYC to the shiny lights in Las Vegas. Most recently, Tyler’s been on the road with the First National Broadway tour of “Water for Elephants the Musical,” in the role of Walter.
CLEO DEORIO
Cleo DeOrio is a Physical Theatre and Dance artist-teacher from Cleveland, Ohio. Cleo specializes in storytelling through movement, physical character development, and devising original works. Cleo is currently teaching faculty at Dell'Arte International and The Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Resident Director of 1230 Clowns in Las Vegas, NV, and Dell’Arte International’s Variety and Cabaret Series.
S3 E14 Drops Thursday on your favorite podcast platforms and on YouTube.
Links in Bio
@theoriginaltylerwest@cleozen@orlandofringe@mnfringe FB: /smallmindedtheshow
#fringefriends #fringetheatre #accessibilityinthearts #DwarfismAwareness #disabilityawareness
OMG, we are stoked about this week’s guest, Tyler West, with a special appearance by Cleo DeOrio! This is the duo behind “Small Minded,” a new fringe show exploring the life and trials of becoming a clown, while also giving a peek behind the curtain (or, should I say, under the big top) at living with dwarfism.
S3 E14 Drops Thursday on your favorite podcast platforms and on YouTube.
Links in Bio
@theoriginaltylerwest@cleozen@orlandofringe@mnfringe
#fringefriends #fringetheatre #accessibilityinthearts #accessibilityforall #disabilityawareness
“Small Minded” will play at the Orlando Fringe Festival (May 15th - 23rd) and Minnesota Fringe Festival (August 6th - 16th). tickets in bio!!!
directed by @cleozen
photos by @nancylunagtz
thanks Mike Ricca for this amazing trailer!
@riccagram@orlandofringe@mnfringe
#mnfringe #orlandofringe #fringe #fringefestival #soloshow
🤩 We’ve got an incredibly exciting year of Clown Spirit Village masterclasses coming your way!
Here are the next 6 fabulous teachers:
✨ Tiffany Riley & Dick Monday – Clown Skills for Healthcare
✨ Sukhmani Kohli – Recovering from Over-Seriousness
✨ Cleo Z. DeOrio – Eccentric Dance
✨ Holly Stoppit – Make Friends with Your Inner Critic
✨ Mery Miguez – Coming From Love
✨ Patrick van den Boom – Virtual Vocal Band
👇 Comment MASTERCLASS and we’ll DM you all the details
🔗 Or learn more via the link in bio
#clownspirit
#clowning
#creativepractice
#workshops
#community
while simultaneously working on "Water For Elephants the Musical," Cleo and i have been devising and creating a new solo show for myself, called "Small Minded."
we are feeling very excited and lucky to be bringing this show to the Orlando Fringe Festival (May 12th - 25th) and the Minnesota Fringe Festival (August 6th - 16th).
"Small Minded" is about the intersection of clowning and my life as a person with dwarfism.
Cleo DeOrio has done a beautiful job in helping co-write and direct the piece. @cleozen
Mat Fraser with his 30 years experience as a Disability Artist, has graciously helped with the dramaturgy of show. @mflidfraser
Nancy Gutierez took this beautiful photo. @nancylunagtz
if you are, or know anyone in Orlando or Minnesota, please come check it out. it will mean a lot, we've put a lot of energy into it and i hope can highlight some issues in the dwarf community.
Step into the mask.
Join our Larval Mask Workshop & Show—a physical theatre deep dive where you get to build your own mask, discover new movement, and end with a live performance.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
🗓 May 25–30
🎭 Multiple sessions available
Taught by Cleo DeOrio
Spots are limited—link in bio to reserve.
#PhysicalTheatre #LasVegasArts #ActingWorkshop #Clown #TheatreLife
⚠️UPDATED POSTER : 2 more people have been added to the Dell’Arte panel since we posted last
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There are over 30 sessions happening at Clownvergence - including workshops, panels, Clown Cafés, provocations, a closing carnival, and more.
This panel explores the history of Dell’Arte International (Blue Lake, California) and its current evolution, through voices of clowns connected to the school across time.
Meet the Speakers:
Artemis Pebdani — Actor, writer, and fearless comedic force, Artemis Pebdani trained at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, grounding her work in clown and physical performance. Known for standout roles in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Scandal, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Superstore, she brings bold, unforgettable characters to life.
Joe Dieffenbacher — Clown, director, and master of physical comedy, Joe Dieffenbacher is a Dell’Arte alumnus whose career spans global touring (including Take That!), the 2012 London Olympics, and major productions at the Globe and Regent’s Park. Former director of the Circus Center Clown Conservatory and current RADA teacher, he’s also the author of Clown: The Physical Comedian.
Julie Douglas — Actor-creator, teacher, and clown; Director of Dell’Arte’s Healthcare Clowning Program and longtime faculty member teaching physical theatre and performance.
Cleo DeOrio — Physical theatre and dance artist-teacher from Cleveland; MFA graduate of Dell’Arte, specializing in movement-based storytelling and devising.
Noah Bremer — Las Vegas–based clown, director, and educator; Dell’Arte alumnus and former Cirque du Soleil performer, founder of Live Action Set.
Adam G. Gertsacov — Internationally touring clown and teacher based in Barcelona; graduate of Dell’Arte and Ringling Bros. Clown College, creator of acclaimed original works.
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What is Clownvergence?
Clownvergence (April 9–12) is a 4-day online gathering — a space for clowns of all levels to learn, share, connect, and unlearn.
We hope to see you there.
💗 Offered in the spirit of Gift Culture — pay-what-you-can
🔗 Link to register in bio
🗣️ Comment Clownvergence for the link
Join Professor Cleo DeOrio of Dell’Arte International for a journey through cabaret acts from the Vaudeville era to today.
Learn what it means to build an act, why some acts work and some don’t, and the importance of knowing your audience!
This lab-style workshop is rooted in devising, you’ll be devising solo, small groups, or come prepared with an act to workshop! Each act will receive individual coaching from Cleo.
March 7-8 | 12 - 5pm | Saturday & Sunday Only
The Industry Loft, 755 Highland Avenue, LA
book online at theclownschool.com 🤡
#clownclasses #physicaltheaterworkshop #cabaretshow #cabaretlosangeles
