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TRAIN WITH US |
COMING UP:
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Weekly
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Fail Gloriously: Our Approach to Clown
Michael F. Toomey has performed and taught Clown all over the country — from New York City to Shakespeare & Company and beyond.
He welcomes performers of all ages, whether it’s a quick four-hour intro or a full weekend deep dive.
He doesn’t claim to define Clown — he only asks:
Does it make us laugh? Move us? Reveal something true?
Michael’s teaching gives you the tools to fail gloriously - and get back up again.
He welcomes performers of all ages, whether it’s a quick four-hour intro or a full weekend deep dive.
He doesn’t claim to define Clown — he only asks:
Does it make us laugh? Move us? Reveal something true?
Michael’s teaching gives you the tools to fail gloriously - and get back up again.
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“Anyone who is looking to become a more specific, flexible, grounded and playful performer should give themselves the gift of clown training with Toomey. It has been one of the single most influential components of my education as an actor.”
- ANDRUS NICHOLS - Elliot Norton Award Winning Actor for Saint Joan with Bedlam Theatre |
Our Commitment to Accessible Training
We believe training should be accessible to artists at every stage of their career. That’s why all of our classes and workshops offer tiered tuition options and flexible payment plans. If tuition feels like a barrier, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re committed to helping you access the training you deserve.
We believe training should be accessible to artists at every stage of their career. That’s why all of our classes and workshops offer tiered tuition options and flexible payment plans. If tuition feels like a barrier, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re committed to helping you access the training you deserve.
What People Say About Training With Us: |
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'The Humanist Project is my favorite place to play, grow & experiment as an artist in NYC! If you're looking for a fun, nurturing & explorative environment to learn, take any of Michael & Andrew's class offerings (& any of their guests as well!)'
-EMILY VERE NICOLL, Actor, She Stoops to Conquer
-EMILY VERE NICOLL, Actor, She Stoops to Conquer
'These two teachers, Michael Toomey and Andrew Borthwick Leslie, are inventive, freeing and touched with a genius of teaching non-judgmentally. Working with each of them has been freeing, inspiring and eye-opening! I cannot recommend them too highly.'
-DENNIS KRAUSNICK, Director of Training, Shakespeare & Company
-DENNIS KRAUSNICK, Director of Training, Shakespeare & Company
'Michael Toomey and Andrew Borthwick Leslie are transformational teachers deeply committed to and successful in creating experiences that inspire and train artists in a way that serves both our profession and our world. They have deeply affected who I am as an artists as well as several of my students. I am working to bring them and the Humanist Project to my full ensemble of artists as often as I can.'
- REBECCA KEMPER-GOODHEART, Artistic Director, Elm Shakespeare
- REBECCA KEMPER-GOODHEART, Artistic Director, Elm Shakespeare
'For me, acting requires an honest connection with my true self, with all the parts of myself I ignore, push away, and/or refuse to acknowledge in the day to day. Perhaps it's self-preservation in such a big city and competitive industry. The Humanist Project's approach starts with the actor as a person, who he is first and foremost and builds from there using his life experiences as the canvas on which to paint. My training with Michael and Andrew has been invaluable, especially since moving to New York, where this sense of self-preservation can so easily overwhelm an actors journey for truth. The Humanist Project has continually brought me back to the essentials and joy of acting, for this I am very grateful.'
- PAUL-EMILE CENDRON, Actor, The Judge
- PAUL-EMILE CENDRON, Actor, The Judge