Courses and Workshops | Pricilla Mooseburger

*Classes are subject to change

What is a Main Course?

Every morning we break up into different courses. This allows you to dive deep into a topic you want to focus on. You will stay in the same course each morning - all week.

Wow, 9 hours of intense education you will get to build on each day.

Don’t worry; the afternoon is filled with workshops on a wide variety of clown arts topics.

Only your course needs to be decided before you come to camp. Tricia can help you decide what is best for you during your PEP talk. Afternoon workshops can be decided on the fly.

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

These Courses and Workshops are pretty well set but Moose Camp is always a work in progress. When an opportunity comes our way to provide a special guest or other add on, or life happens and alters a Staff member’s schedule, we will shuffle our manpower here or there. That could result in be some slight variations to what you see here, but we will definitely be offering more great education than you can throw a pie at. Take a look at all that we offer, sign up now, and check back for more information.

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Exciting Main Course Options /2026

Be The Magic As A Clown - GUEST COURSE – Steve Marshall

Steve has developed his career through creating magical moments that will last a lifetime. Whether it is working with props, in skits, presenting magic, storytelling, or simply the magic of your presence, he will share the techniques that it takes to create moments that amaze, tickle the funny bone, and touch the heart. He is an expert at adding the personal and personable touch to performance and he’s ready to share that knowledge with you.

Caring Clowning – Brittany Allen

Success in a hospital, nursing home, shelter, or other care facility often depends on what you do (and don’t do), the props and skills you bring with you, and how you relate to and interact with the patient, family, and staff. In this course, Brittany will discuss these things and share techniques, tips and the props you can use for your Caring Clown visits, as well as some ideas on clowning for this special audience. She will also share how to approach facilities, how to build a partnership with them, and how to present a professional proposal for an ongoing program. This course includes a visit with residents in a local care facility, with Brittany supervising visits. It creates the perfect safe and supportive environment to reach out as a clown who truly cares.

It is recommended that you have the basics of clown make-up and character in place before launching into this specialized field. Please bring any skills you want to share: musical instruments, puppets, juggling, magic tricks, poems, songs, and jokes.

Clowning 101* – Julia Swanson, Annette Darragh, Rick Hoops

Learn the funny art of clowning from the ground up. Julia, Annette, and Rick will gently introduce you to make-up, costuming, character development, and performance skills. Their holistic approach will seamlessly interweave the skills that will start you on the road toward being a great clown. Their sharing-and-caring style will teach you volumes in a short time! When you leave Moose Camp, you will have all the basics you need to begin your new life as a clown. If you have never put on make-up before, then Clowning 101 is the right course for you!

* There is a materials fee to buy the recommended makeup kit. The kit will contain all the necessary items to create both Auguste and Whiteface clown characters. Please know that we tried our best to put only the bare essentials in the kit and to keep it at low cost. The kit we put together for you will be much cheaper than buying the same make-up separately in the dealer room. For the health of our campers, we do not offer and do not recommend communal use of makeup. There will be mirrors, containers of Q-tips, and wet wipes available for your use at the makeup table.

Exploring Clown Skills* – Rex Nolen

Ready for an exploration of some skills that will enhance your current clowning? Rex will work with you to lay a foundation in skills that you can use wherever your adventure in clowning takes you - from birthday parties to big shows and circus and everything in between! Juggling, music, magic, and more will be explored with a focus on fun, comedy, and performing presence, that will get you booked time and again. As a bonus, Rex will share tips on how to bring your skills to bear when things don’t go according to plan.

*Course Requirement: *This is NOT a beginner course. You should have a firm foundation in clowning and be open to being pushed in new directions.

Hometown Clowning & Magic – Sean Carlock

You’ve explored the basics of clown make-up, character development, and costuming. Now, you’re ready to take the next step. But, how do you pull it all together into a performance? Where do you go? What do you do? Sean will help you explore the next steps to becoming a successful hometown clown. Learn how to create your own comic props and routines, whether performing solo, with a partner, or with a group. Gain an understanding of various types of walk-around props and where you can find items you can use to develop your own personal gags and routines. Explore puppets and magic and how they can enhance your appearances. Spend some time with Sean to acquire information about some of the places and types of events where you can put your clown training and skills to use. Plus, Tricia will pop in for some tips on Clown Movement and Jane will drop by to talk about opportunities as a RNR clown. Top all of this off with the data you need to help you successfully book your performances and you’re on your way to successful, fun-filled entertainment experiences for both you and your audiences.

Side By Side: The Puppet - Clown Partnership - Karen Hoyer

Your puppet takes a breath and looks around – suddenly, magically, it is alive! Working step by step we'll find the best way to manipulate each puppet, discovering its voice and developing its character and attitude. Meanwhile, we’ll be working on the relationship between you as a clown and your puppet partner. Vital to this style of performing is FOCUS – when are you featured as a clown and when do you disappear and let the puppet be in the spotlight? Playing two characters takes planning and practice, so creating a script or story will be the next step. We'll brainstorm situations, conflicts, conversations and complications. The goal: create a short duet with a beginning, middle, and end – polish, rehearse, and perform!

Course Requirement: Bring a puppet that you have worked with previously, one that's beginning to have a voice and a style of movement. Puppets with mouth action – Muppet style for example – will work best.

Skit & Bits For Giggling Fits - Fred Baisch

If you are a looking to improve your clowning at events or parties; in parades, circuses, or hospitals; working in skits with others or performing on your own, we have just the course for you. Fred will use several different approaches to explore various ways of performing, as well as sharing many props and tricks, that bring on giggling fits for audiences of all ages. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience performing as a clown and magician that he's ready to share with you. This is an in depth course that will help you get the laughter you are after one-on-one or on a big stage.

Afternoon Workshops / 2026

(Alphabetically by Staff Name)

Brittany Allen

Caring Clown Course Field Trip

The Caring Clowning Course will take a field trip to put what they have been working on into practice. They will visit an adult care center, put on a little show, and do some roving meet & greet.

Puppets Alive!

Your puppet is little more than foam, fabric, and feathers unless (or until) you breathe some life into it. Brittany will share how she adds character, personality, and movement to bring her puppet pal sidekicks to life and have them relate to the audience and vice-versa. If you have a puppet, bring it, but you can come alone too!

What's In My Caring Clown Bag

While your presence and connection are the most important things in Caring Clowning, having a few tricks up your sleeve (or in your bag) to use as your entry point or as ice-breakers can make all the difference. Brittany will share some of her ‘go-to’ items that she carries, and how she uses them, so that you can have the confidence to enter the room and do when words don’t quite cut it.

Fred Baisch

Fun Stuff for Up Close

A clown workshop by Fred that doesn’t have any (well, much) magic in it. Learn how to engage a small group, entertain a line, or table hop with a variety of easy to learn routines and props. From the classic napkin rose, to dollar bill folding, to jumping paper clips, and more, this workshop will equip you with the skill to entertain almost anywhere with a variety of everyday objects.

Well, It Was Funny In Rehearsal…

Sure, you can do some magic tricks, skits, or routines, and you can do them as a clown, but are they fun and funny? Maybe it was hilarious in your head and as you rehearsed it, but it fell flat in front of a live audience. What went wrong? Fred will show you how to find the fun and the funny in your routines (and yourself) for any place you need to perform. Learn how to improve your presentation and leave your audiences laughing long after you are gone.

Sean Carlok

Using Puppets with a Pre-recorded Script!

Did you buy a puppet to put in your show, but then thought “Oh no! I’m not good at voices or writing scripts!” Have no fear, Sean is here! He will show you how to use your puppet pal with PRE-RECORDED scripts. Sean will guide you through an exploration of basic puppetry and the easy tech needed to get great mileage out of puppets in your clowning. He will cover where to get recorded scripts as well as some basic script writing and recording for those who want to create their own. This is an exploratory class so bring YOUR puppet if you have one,

but we will have some on hand to use as well.

Yes, YOU Can Do a Solo Show!

If you’ve got a couple of magic tricks, some jokes, general foolishness, and maybe a puppet or two, you’ve got what it takes to make a show! Sean will show you how to wrap them up with a unifying theme and create a show, or how to approach it from the other angle and start with a concept then pull from what you have to fill out the show.

Annette Darragh

Beginning & Intermediate Face Painting

This workshop is set up to allow you access to the paints, try them out, and get some hands-on experience. It is a perfect way for you to find out if you like face painting. Annette will introduce you to the products and process and guide you through the basic brush techniques necessary to make your artwork pop. Then she will share some tips and tricks to add zing to simple designs and take your face painting to the next level!

Storytelling - Clown Style

A story is always stronger and more memorable when there are visuals that accompany the tale that is told. What could be more memorable and visual than a clown? A clown that is involved with the story they are telling, and that uses props and other visuals, of course! Join Annette as she shares some of the techniques she uses to bring clown stories to life.

Rick Hoops

How To Make Your Funny A Business

You’ve got a handle on the funny of clowning, but how do you make it work as a business? Understanding business models can be confusing and hard, especially as an independent artist. If you are looking for a guide to developing a business plan, marketing materials, and more, this workshop is for you! This workshop will give you access to a comprehensive business guide for artists that is easy to understand and update.

Karen Hoyer

Clown Dance

Try out a few crazy dance steps and then learn a simple dance routine. Will you dance a little solo, do a duo dance with comic interruptions, or can we improvise our dance steps and string them into a group routine? Come and have fun with a dance teacher who doesn't know which one is her right foot!

Mime: The Language of Clowns

As a clown, you need to use your whole body to communicate. Mime is the art of using movement to create physical characterizations, express emotion non-verbally, and tell a story without depending on words. For clowns, mime is a vital tool for making physical choices that will take us out of everyday life and into a clownesque world of play

Puppets For Young & Old

Using a puppet to connect with vulnerable populations can be magical. The clown in you quiets down and allows the puppet to make friends with a shy youngster. An elderly resident in a nursing home might prefer talking to your puppet partner rather than engage with your clown antics. We’ll explore various situations using each puppet’s potential in movement, silence, words, and sound effects. Bring your puppet!

Christopher Hudert

Character CRP – Bringing Life To Your Character

If you want your character to be ALIVE, you’ve got to give it CPR: Character, Presence, and Relationship. While the ‘breath’ of the character is important that, alone, is little more than life support. It also needs breadth – the width, length, and distance a character covers. Come explore the simple, little things that help determine who/what a character is, what makes it present and real, and how it moves and relates to the audience. You will get tricks and tips on creating the building blocks of character through identity, voice, presence, and believability. Together, these elements will bring a character (and performance) ALIVE! Geared to clowns, puppets, and other characters, this class is more about sharing techniques that bring the essence of life to characters than it is about character development viewed through backstory or historical characters.

Songs and Silliness for the Musically Challenged

Okay, so you’re not Elvis Parsley or Adull. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t sing and play with music as a clown. There are lots of ways you can do it ‘wrong’ and it comes out the right way for a clown. If – at any point in your life - you have ever sung “Happy Birthday” or “The ABC Song” (which is virtually everyone), you will be able to sing and play with music in your clowning. Come in challenged; leave as a rock star!

Linda Hulet

Finding Clown Work at Fairs, Festivals, & More

This workshop will explore the various venues, such as Fairs and Festivals, where you can clown and how to get clown jobs. Linda will cover promo material, contacts, contracts, and other pertinent information.

Flo’s World of Wacky Walk-Arounds

Linda is a master at working with props. Bring your funny bone and prepare to chuckle, guffaw, and roll in the aisles. She will get your creative juices flowing as she shares her favorite walk-a-rounds and other parade props. You will learn how to jump-start your clown brain, explore how and where to get ideas (TV ads, items in stores, Facebook, etc.), and what materials are best to use enhance your clown performances and appearances to tickle the funny bones of your audience.

Props For Parades & Roving Work

From sight gags, to stop gags, to pocket gags (stuff you carry on you), to interactive or BOB (Bits of Business) gags, come explore what you can do when you are on the go. Flo will share not just some possible props, but tips on presenting them, working the audience, patter, and so much more that will help you prepare for your next parade, roving event, senior center, or other venue.

Jane Kinney

All About the Red Nose Reader Program

The Red Nose Reader program promotes literacy, kindness, empathy, and respect for diversity through the art of clowning. During a visit, a certified Red Nose Reader reads a story, shares a message, and playfully interacts with the students. Come and learn all about the Red Nose Reader program and how you too can help build a positive image that real clowns are caring, helpful, and kind people who want to spread joy and laughter. (Oh, and Jane says there will be cookies and other treats!)

Tricia Manuel

Comic Movement Through Skits

Learn fun new cartoon-style movements that add to every performance! We will explore ways that you can take exaggerated clown movements over the top so that you can bring them back down to whatever scale is appropriate for the occasion. Then, we will add those movements to classic skits so that you can go home with scripts and new skills.

Finding Your Clown Character

Whether you are brand new to clowning or looking for a new avenue for your current clown, this workshop works! Tricia will lead you through the exploration of taking your clown character to the next level.

VIC Special Workshop

A round table discussion on clowning and where you want to go with it! Here is a chance to ask for help on your clown issues. What are your burning questions? What is your biggest hurdle in your clown path? Tricia will help you take the next steps. (VIC Pre-registration required.)

Steve Marshall

Clown Magic 101

Mastering a few basic magic tricks that you can do in almost any venue is not as hard as you think. Steve has some easy, beginner magic tricks, especially good for clowns, that he will teach you.

Going Places And Making Faces!

You might leave home without you nose, but the one thing you always have with you is your face. With or without makeup, potentially, it’s also one of the most expressive tool you have at your disposal - even without saying a word. Steve will share some of the ways of studying and discovering the best expressions for your face.

Laughter Beyond Language

This is a mask class that will teach the importance of using your whole body to express your inner clown. Movement, levels, and body positions can cross language barriers or just take your performance to a level that doesn’t depend totally on language to communicate your ideas and comedy.

Rex Nolen

Clown Skits & More

Looking for some skits for that alley show? Something everyone can do? Here are some simple and funny skits. We will go through the skits to show all the steps necessary to put something together in a professional manner.

Comedy Juggling

So you have the basic skill mastered, but you have no idea how to use your clown character while juggling, right? Learn how to juggle in a funny way, and get more mileage out of this great skill!

Greg Seckora

Beginning Balloons – Part 1: How to Blow Up, Tie, & Twist Balloons

For beginners only! Learn the basics to get you started on this fun and lucrative hobby. We’ll start with choosing the right balloon, how to inflate it, and providing the hands-on help you need to learn all the twists you need to create simple balloon creations. Greg will show you her favorite twists and simple designs for newbies. If you have balloons and a pump, bring them.

Beginning Balloons – Part 2: Creating My Favorite Simple Balloons

You don’t have to have gone to the Part 1 workshop, but you do have to know how to inflate and tie a balloon as well as the basic twists. We will build on that basic knowledge to create some of my favorite balloon sculptures that are simple but impressive for newbies! If you have a pump and balloons, bring them.

The Prop Shop – “Make It & Take It” Props – See Open Lab Times

Looking for a new walk-around prop? Need a walk-around prop to entertain the audience pre/post-show or during intermission at the Mooseburger All-Star Clown Show? Visit the prop shop during scheduled prop-making hours to make your parade board or other walk-around prop to use as part of the show and to create your very own kazoo instrument for the Clown Band. Take your new prop home and add it to your future performances. There will be a limited number of each prop, so availability will be on a first-come basis. A small materials fee will be charged for each prop made.

Julia Swanson

Dollar Store Marvels

Not everyone can afford big fancy clown props. Also, sometimes your luggage gets lost or your garage floods right before a gig, yikes! What do you do??? Let’s go through some budget friendly options. This workshop will show you how to put together fabulous clown props on a budget with things from a dollar store!

Social Media For Funny Folks

Looking to upgrade your social media pages? Don’t understand social media? Whether you versed in social media or are just beginning to find your feet, this workshop will help you understand the concepts and best practices for effective social media campaigns that yield results and meet your objectives. Come will learn the pillars of digital marketing and how to apply them effectively as a clown.

Elaine Vercellone - Guest Instructor

Birthday Party, Library, and YMCA Shows

Learn how to have great shows that you love doing and boost your success. We’ll cover what to do, how and where to advertise, how much to charge, and more that will keep you in business.

Build Up Your Clown Alley

This workshop will show you how you can make your Alley strong, and keep it growing in numbers and abilities! Don’t have a local Alley? Elaine will share tips on starting one. She will share some of the ways to get the Alley hired to generate funds for props, education, and to help local charities. She will include how to hold a min-convention for the community that will bring in members and get your Alley noticed.