Research

Over the years, The Why Not Institute has grown into an in-depth, serious investigation into the ‘state of clowning’, which we call ‘The Clown’s Intelligence’.

At the heart of what we do is serious research into the process and effect of the state of clowning on creativity and effectiveness for people in theatre, the arts, business, education and many other walks of life. Angela de Castro’s work as a thinker and researcher into the state of clowning has led to profoundly transformative work within theatre, business and education.

The diversity of clowning is a complicated matter that offers to the performer, to the actor and to the theatre practitioner a complete new spectrum of possibilities that can’t be found in any other art form. Clowning is not a technique but a state, a state of imagination, a state of freedom. This state allows performers not to fear exposing their ridiculous side, their weaknesses, naivety, fragility and failures. Through their failures they can reveal their profoundly human nature, which moves the audience and makes the audience laugh or cry, or both at the same time.

This work has been recognised and supported by Nesta (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), the Arts Foundation, The Arts Council England and on-going relationships with a number of academic institutions. For the last five years, Angela de Castro has been a teaching fellow at three academic institutions in Germany, working in-depth with acting students at the Ernst Busch School in Berlin, the College for Actors in Bochum and Folkwang University, Essen. In addition to her work in Germany, Angela de Castro is currently an international fellow at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, working with Professor Maggie Kinloch. She has also begun research into the clown in tragedy with Professor Lou Peacock at Hull University.

Directing & Clown Consultancy

In addition to directing and producing work for her own company in Brasil and her own work in Britain, de Castro works as director and clown consultant for individuals and companies in the UK, Australia and Brasil.

Colleagues in the past include: The National Theatre Studio, Circus Oz (Australia), No Fit State Circus, Gifford Circus, Rock & Roll Circus, Jimmy Voo Theatre Company, Theatre Sans Frontiére, Jack Drum, Standing Waves Performance Company, CAMAD, Swamp Circus Co-op, Skin & Blisters Theatre Company, Momo Theatre, Splott Brothers and Lynn Carrol & Co.

She directed the shows of No Fit State Circus in Wales for four years and has on-going relationships with the National Theatre Studio, The Performing Arts Labs and Circus Oz. De Castro is a one of the directors of the international women clowns festival, Festival do Pallasses, in Andorra (2001 & 2003).

Speaking

De Castro is a charismatic and respected speaker, appearing regularly for discussion panels in Britain (Total Theatre circus conference panellist, London International Mime Festival panellist) and Australia (Australia International Workshop Festival, Chaos and Synergy: Circus and Physical Theatre Conference).