STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is back! February 24, 930pm at The Elysian Theater! This line-up is epic! Steph Tolev (Netflix, Filth Queen tour) returns after doing our first-ever show, UCB royalty Colton Dunn (Superstore), show favorites Luke Null (SNL) and Paul Elia (Low-Key Comedy)... and more! TICKETS HERE! The Clown Boss has another solo episode. To start the year, Chad is focusing on some clown fundamentals, starting with the idea of playing with failure. He shares his personal definition o...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 105
STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is back at the end of this month! February 24, 930pm at The Elysian Theater! You’ll want to get your tickets before we announce our all-star lineup. TICKETS HERE! The Clown Boss is back with a solo episode! Chad talks about the relative nature of courage and risk, as it pertains to clown and improvisation. It’s good to play to your strengths, but often the key to getting an audience to root for us lies in playing to our weaknesses. Also, some pro wrestling stories a...
Feb 03, 2025•29 min•Ep. 104
The Clown Boss is back with his first interview of 2025! He’s speaking with teacher, improviser and comedy philosopher James Mastraieni! James has reached the highest levels of success at various major theaters – but has also battled management at every one, in an effort to maintain his authentic voice and honor his beliefs. He now runs his own classes and shows through The Shared Experience Studio. Chad and James talk about their different performance philosophies and find they share a ton of c...
Jan 27, 2025•26 min•Ep. 103
If you wanna help out Public Displays of Altadena, check out their GoFundMe page You can also follow them here for more updates: Public Displays of Altadena (@pda_space) Another solo episode! A little talk about the wildfires and how they’ve affected the clown community in LA, but mostly old stories about clown moments in non-clown shows – and how we can learn from them. CLOWN BOSS TOUR 2025 Friday, January 17th -- Dangerous Games Clown workshop First Baltimore workshop! Before my solo show at Z...
Jan 13, 2025•32 min•Ep. 102
Chad will be doing his WIP show on JANUARY 9TH at 930pm! He is also heading to BALTIMORE, BETHLEHEM and PHILADELPHIA for the second half of January. Dates for classes and shows listed below! Another solo episode from The Clown Boss! In this one, Chad discusses how he uses idioms to create prompts in classes and shows. This leads to a deep dive into playing abstract ideas. How can clowns create nonsensical work that surprises audiences, but doesn’t confuse or alienate them? CLOWN BOSS TOUR 2025 T...
Jan 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 101
STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is on hiatus for a couple months! Chad will be doing his WIP show on JANUARY 9TH, 930pm at the Elysian Theater in Los Angels. Then he’s leaving LA to teach and perform on the east coast. The Clown Boss celebrates episode 100 by talking about the clown lessons he’s taken away from doing the podcast, how the presence of an authority in play helps short-circuit the brain and other personal tidbits. Chad will be visiting the following cities in January. Baltimore (BIG I...
Dec 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 100
STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is on hiatus! Chad will be doing his WIP show in early January (the last few have sold out), but then he’s leaving LA to teach and perform on the east coast (dates listed below) The Clown Boss returns with another solo episode. This one covers a number of related topics, as Chad discusses what’s on his mind as he begins his holiday break. There’s a discussion of grief and performance, the necessity of training discomfort and thoughts on how young clowns rely too muc...
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 99
STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is back on December 16th at 930pm. The cast includes Luke Null (SNL), Zach Zucker (Stamptown) and more! 12/16 STAND UP AND CLOWN (THE ELYSIAN) The Clown Boss returns with another solo episode. This time around, he talks about the concept of unlearning – and how it can bring more surprises and joy to your shows. ARTICLE ON LEFT BRAIN AND RIGHT BRAIN DEBATE SHARE THIS POD AND SPREAD THE WORD! CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE for other shows – including his upcoming Reckless ...
Dec 02, 2024•28 min•Ep. 98
STAND UP AND CLOWN (the show) is tonight! Monday, November 25th at 930pm. The cast includes Melissa Villaseñor (SNL), Nick Thune, Justine Marino, Chris Thayer and more!! 11/25 STAND UP AND CLOWN (ELYSIAN THEATER) The Clown Boss returns with a new kind of solo episode. As Chad continues to work on his book, he’s starting to review old writing and podcasts — adding more context, revising ideas and looking for inspiration. He’s calling these episodes Bookends. Chad covers a number of topics in this...
Nov 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 97
Monday, November 25th is STAND UP AND CLOWN! The cast includes Melissa Villaseñor (SNL), Nick Thune, Justine Marino, Chris Thayer and more! 11/25 STAND UP AND CLOWN (ELYSIAN THEATER) The Clown Boss returns with another solo episode. Chad discusses how clowns balance their desire to write and direct with being open and present in the moment of creating work. SHARE THIS POD AND SPREAD THE WORD! CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE for other shows – including his upcoming series of WIP solo shows for his char...
Nov 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 96
Monday, November 25th is STAND UP AND CLOWN! The cast includes Melissa Villaseñor (SNL), Nick Thune, Justine Marino, Christina Catherine Martinez and more! 11/25 STAND UP AND CLOWN (ELYSIAN THEATER) The Clown Boss interviews clown, teacher and collaborator NATASHA MERCADO! Chad has worked with Natasha for many years – and recently co-directed her second solo show #1 SON, which did a full-run at The 2024 Edinburgh Fringe. Like this podcast? Share it with a friend. Chad is also starting to book tr...
Nov 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 95
Monday, November 25th is STAND UP AND CLOWN! We’ll be announcing the cast soon, but we’ve got some very fun surprises planned. Get your tickets early! 11/25 STAND UP AND CLOWN (ELYSIAN THEATER) The Clown Boss is back with another solo episode! This time, Chad discusses the idea of rough play – shows that purposely court danger, hurl insults and tackle difficult topics. The episode was inspired by the recent backlash over comic Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments at a political rally held at Madison Squa...
Nov 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 94
Monday, October 28th is STAND UP AND CLOWN’s Halloween Spooktacular! Riki Lindhome, Chloe Radcliffe, Anna Akana, Janet Varney and Freak Nature Puppets! Do not miss this show! STAND UP AND CLOWN HALLOWEEN SHOW 10/28 A little something different! Chad was recently interviewed by past guest and delightful clown RESHMA. She is working on something called The IKEA project. Reshma is talking to people about the business of entertainment and the conversations we don’t have about money and finances. Thi...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min•Ep. 92
Like this podcast? Share it with a friend. Chad is also starting to book travel dates to teach and perform in 2025! Reach out to Chad on IG (@thechaddamiani) and see if there’s a way to bring some clown to your town. The Clown Boss is back with a solo episode about FOCUS! Chad discusses how live comedy shows can do a better job making sure the audience knows where to look and why — and how that attention to detail can make more subtle offers feel impactful. Also, a little sidebar about grief (ba...
Oct 21, 2024•28 min•Ep. 91
Like this podcast? Share it with a friend. Chad is also starting to book travel dates to teach and perform next year! Reach out to Chad on IG (@thechaddamiani) and see if there’s a way to bring some clown to your town. Chad is back with part two of seeing the audience! This episode talks more about breaking the fourth wall when playing with a scene partner. How can you serve the narrative, the relationships onstage and still be present with the crowd? October’s STAND UP AND CLOWN is our annual H...
Oct 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 90
Like this podcast? Share it with a friend. Want more clown in your town? Reach out to Chad on IG (@thechaddamiani) and ask about his traveling and teaching programs. Chad is back with another solo episode! A lot of people struggle to stay connected to the audience because they find looking at them awkward and unnatural – but that’s conditioned behavior that can be unlearned over time. Chad discusses ways to develop your ability to not only see the audience, but invite them to be part of the show...
Oct 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 89
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode reflects on grief and loss. Chad is back with another solo episode. The topic: a performer’s relationship with play. Why is it so hard to surrender and enjoy shows fully — when we know the real-life stakes are very low? Chad discusses his journey, including some recent heartbreaks that have reminded him of his biggest breakthroughs as a clown. Wanna see how the clown sausage is made? Chad has decided to open up his rehearsals for a new clown project. Every third Wed...
Sep 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 88
This week, Chad interviews former student and clown-about-town BRIANNA AHLMARK. Chad and Bri work together as part of the improvised ensemble FLWLS (pronounced flawless), but Bri has really made waves doing improvised clown at some of LA’s best alt stand-up shows. Bri talks about her journey, including low points during the Covid lockdown, and the process of developing a unique voice on-stage. September’s STAND UP AND CLOWN lineup is up – and it’s a fun one! YouTube superstar Brandon Rogers (Bra...
Sep 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 87
Chad returns with another solo episode. This one is based on a question he gets asked all the time (especially after his UCB workshops). How can I add some more clown to my improv? Often, the biggest challenge is getting your teammates onboard with these brand-new ideas. Chad discusses how to do more than just explain what you’re doing. There are a variety of creative (and sneaky) ways to help them experience success implementing clown ideas themselves. THIS IS A GREAT ONE TO SHARE WITH YOUR TEA...
Sep 02, 2024•33 min•Ep. 86
Chad interviews CHRIS ALVARADO. Chris runs Chris Alvarado Workshops and has been improvising for nearly three decades. He is also part of the LA powerhouse team Heyday – which still plays regularly at Santa Monica’s Westside Comedy Theater. But Chris is also on a clown journey, taking classes and creating experimental shows. Chad and Chris pull no punches as they discuss what they like and dislike about LA’s clown and improv scenes, the ideas of gurus/masters, the prolific amount of bad shows an...
Aug 26, 2024•43 min•Ep. 85
BILL O’NEILL makes his return to the podcast. A lot has changed for Bill since his first appearance. He’s now the star of an award-winning solo show The Amazing Banana Brothers, and appears on TV regularly as part of the Wendy's ad campaign. Chad and Bill discuss developing his show, dealing with injuries, creating work, finding balance and our favorite and least favorite trends in the current clown scene. FOLLOW BILL ON IG! CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE for future classes! Some highlights: STAND UP...
Aug 19, 2024•50 min•Ep. 84
Chad interviews his longtime friend and performer JOE MITCHELL. Joe is a legend in the current LA Clown scene, having been a core cast member in ensembles like The Murge, After Hours and currently Cruel Babes. Joe is also the host of JOEDOME – a one-of-a-kind show that’s been integral in developing new clowns for over a decade. Chad and Joe discuss Joe’s unlikely artistic journey, ongoing medical battles, future plans and balancing professional goals and the joy of live performing. LEARN MORE AB...
Aug 12, 2024•46 min•Ep. 83
Chad returns with a solo episode! This time, he discusses the complicated life of class clowns – and how and why they often struggle as clown adults. CHECK OUT CHAD’S LINKTREE for future classes! Some highlights: Chad is teaching his original two-day intensive SAVE THE SHOW on 8/19-20! Chad is putting up his first experimental clown show at UCB on 8/15! Also, catch up on Chad’s SUBSTACK IG: @thechaddamiani PODCAST THEME SONG BY MIRTHQUAKE JACKSON: @mqj_groove_jr...
Aug 05, 2024•25 min•Ep. 82
Chad returns with another solo episode… with an improv twist. He’s breaking down the idea of YES AND… and how it shows the innate differences (and similarities) between improv and clown work. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. The show STAND UP AND CLOWN is July 29th! This is one of the biggest lineups we’ve ever had — with Gianmarco Soresi, Johnny Pemberton, Robby Hoffman and Vinny Thomas! Do not miss this show! 7/2...
Jul 29, 2024•28 min•Ep. 81
Chad returns for a special episode, along with his friend, roommate and fellow clown JOHN WYATT. They discuss the recent passing of Chad’s beloved dog Bandit — and how she deeply influenced his approach to clowning and life. A warning: this episode explores grief and death, not only of pets — but also the loss of Chad’s partner Kiera Goodman. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. CHECK OUT JOHN WYATT’S BAND - Ghost Isla...
Jul 23, 2024•49 min•Ep. 80
Chad is back with another solo episode! This week, he talks about finding THE RHYTHM of a piece and how it allows you to sync up with the audience. Instead of focusing on ideas, can you prioritize a more primal connection? Chad discusses how considering rhythm can open up some more innovative ways to heighten and explore during a set or show. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. CHAD’S SHOWS, CLASSES AND MORE! The show...
Jul 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 79
Chad is back with another solo episode exploring the clown wrestling connection. This time, he talks about the idea of GETTING OVER – and how “winning” can look a lot of different ways. Remember, you can always reach out to Chad on his IG account – @thechaddamiani with questions or subject requests. CHAD’S SHOWS, CLASSES AND MORE! The show STAND UP AND CLOWN is July 29th! Kumail Nanjiani is scheduled to perform, along with Robby Hoffman. More surprises are coming. Tickets are selling fast: 7/29 ...
Jul 08, 2024•30 min•Ep. 78
Chad interviews his long-time friend and collaborator CHRISTINA CATHERINE MARTINEZ — the podcast’s first return guest. They discuss Christina’s YOUTUBE special, artist residencies and the relationship between modern clown and stand-up. WATCH CHRISTINA’S SPECIAL HERE! How to Bake a Cake in the Digital Age ALL OTHER THINGS XTINA: https://linktr.ee/christinacatherine CHAD’S SHOWS, CLASSES AND MORE! There are still spots available in Chad’s LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE class at the Elysian (7/22-23) as well...
Jul 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 77
Chad is back with another solo episode! This time, he’s discussing the use of entrances in pro wrestling. How can you build momentum and interest before you speak a word on stage? And what kinds of games can you create with a calculated entrance? GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR STAND UP AND CLOWN! Tonight is the night! Melissa Villaseñor! Jon Gabrus! Rachel Scanlon! Mike Mitchell! Fumi Abe! Plus, the return of Clowns of Color. This is a massive show. 6/24 SHOW : Get your tickets now! TAKE A CLASS! I’m ...
Jun 24, 2024•25 min•Ep. 76
Chad is back with another solo episode! He’s back doing another pod comparing clown to pro wrestling — with a focus on the carnie term SELLING. What is the difference between committing to scenes and selling them? Chad talks about keeping the audience in mind when creating fictions on stage, so they can buy more deeply into your performance. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR STAND UP AND CLOWN! We’ve got superstar lineups planned for the entire summer! Melissa Villaseñor! Jon Gabrus! Rachel Scanlon! Bets...
Jun 17, 2024•24 min•Ep. 75
