Training

The Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe takes pride in the quality of our training, with its unique emphasis on empowering and engaging the child through improvised clowning. To support the growth and professionalism of improv-based hospital clowning for children, we provide three forms of training:

1. The Art & Joy of Hospital Clowning Manual

a 160-page manual and accompanying DVD/VHS tape that presents the Jeannie Lindheim Hospital Clown Training Process. Click here to view a portion of the Training Manual.

Click here to order the Training Manual

2. The Art & Joy of Hospital Clowning Two Day Workshop

This introduction to hospital training is held in the Boston area once a year.
Email Cheryl at info@hospital-clowns.org to be added to our contact list.

Information on Next Training Workshop
Date: Fall 2012
Time: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Needham, MA
Tuition: $450.00 Includes manual and DVD, snacks and lunch on both training days.
Optional: Friday night dinner at a local restaurant to meet the group

Members of the Boston based Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe are excited to invite you to an introductory weekend training program in the art of hospital clowning. Hospital Clowns enter a hospital environment and useimprovisation, magic and joy to transform the child’s world into a space of play and imagination. Within moments, clowns can bring a child from a sense of helplessness into empowerment.

Some of what you will learn from our training includes:
• Discovery and development of your clown
• Learning the art of clown world improvisation.
• Hospital clown/ patient role-playing
• Empowering the patient

To apply, please fill out our workshop application form here and return it to:
Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe, Inc.
Attention: Spring Training Workshop
PO Box 920570
Needham, MA 02492

For further information
Email: info@hospital-clowns.org
Call: 1 877 256-9612
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 31, 2012

TRAINERS:
Lyn Hadden (Dottie) put her name on the waiting list for training in 1999 and began training with the Troupe in 2001. She has clowned and participated in the ongoing training since. Previously, she was a member of Needham Community Theater, singing, dancing and acting whenever someone let her on stage, so clowning seemed the next logical step. Also, being married and raising three children, and working in the local high school provided her with a lot of understanding -- and material.

Joyce Friedman (Frizzle) is thrilled to have been a member of Hearts & Noses Clown Troupe since 1999. Her clown improvisation work with children at Boston area hospitals is the most exciting, rewarding and magical thing she does in her week. Joyce was formerly a musician and improvisational actor with Boston’s Reality Theatre and Omega Theatre. In addition, she directed a holistic health care program for the elderly, Circle of Wellness, where she taught meditation, chi kung, acupressure and nutrition in Boston area senior residences.

Currently, Joyce works as a certified professional Life Coach, sings cabaret and plays piano in a Scottish band. She lives in Newton with her husband and three amazing daughters.

Cheryl Lekousi (Tic Toc) has been happily clowning with the troupe since 1999. She grew up watching her father, a professional magician who clowned at area hospitals, only to discover her clown after training with Jeannie Lindheim. Having a background in early childhood education and special needs, Cheryl has been a workshop facilitator in these areas for over 15 years. She has worked as the Executive Director of Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe since July 2005 and recently become the Artistic Director.

Cheryl lives in Needham with her husband and has two grown children.

3. Customized on-site Training Workshops for Hospital Clown Troupes & hospital clowns