A Stellenbosch University (SU) almuna, from SU’s Drama Department, is using her expertise in the theatre and in the classroom.
According to Klara van Wyk, who is the first person in South Africa to receive a doctorate in clowning, she is in the process of integrating clowning principles within the classroom, as she believes that ‘failure’ and ‘humour’ can be used as very exciting teaching tools.
Van Wyk received her PhD in clowning from SU’s drama department in March 2020.
Van Wyk uses various performative tools to help build confidence in learners and is researching how these principles can be integrated further through research, which she is planning on doing next year.
Van Wyk, who has starred in theatre productions such as You Suck and Other Inescapable Truths, is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Stadio Institute and is teaching English and Afrikaans at Vuleka St Joseph’s primary school.
She explained that it was after having performed You Suck at schools as part of an anti-bullying initiative, that she truly realised the impact clowning could have educationally and wanted to explore that aspect of the medium.
“I was convinced that clowning could be of incredible value in the theatre and could also be implemented as an educational tool and my research allowed me to unpack some of these ideas,” said Van Wyk.
Van Wyk stated that her doctoral thesis aimed to identify and explore the principles of the clown in theatre.
“I examined the relationship between the clown and theatre through a practice-led approach, where I looked at the historical interplay between clowns and the theatre. In addition, I also focused on my own practice in theatre as research,” said Van Wyk.
According to Van Wyk, she was introduced to clowning through a class during her third year as a drama student at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Ever since, it has become the medium she chooses to work in.
Francesco Nassimbeni, director of You Suck and Van Wyk’s collaborator, stated that many people might associate clowns with red noses and children’s parties. However, he said that this is a cliché perpetuated by the media.
According to Nassimbeni, the clown is in a unique position to testify to the difficulties of the human spirit in times of adversity.
Mercy Kannemeyer, master’s drama student and a fellow theatre-maker, described Van Wyk as a pioneer in the arts.
“For Klara to have done her PhD in clowning, she is making it possible for the medium to have academic grounds and this has never been done in South Africa or at SU before. She is also showing people that clowning and laughter form part of a serious business,” said Kannnemeyer.
