From Paris to Portland: A Clowning Story

Erica Murphy plays The Clown in Balloonacy

You have extensive physical theatre and clowning experience. Can you tell us more about the tradition of clowning performance?

The clown has been around for thousands of years, and redefined through the centuries. The clown as I know it grew from Commedia dell'Arte, Italian Comedy that uses masks to dive deeper into human folly and comedy. Stock characters such as Pierrot and Harlequin have shaped the evolution of the modern clown. I think one of the keys to clowning is not trying to be funny, but to try one's best at tackling the adversities of life, and sharing with an audience that through risk and failure, we can persevere.

I studied for two years at l'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. With a cohort of international students, we studied mime, movement, and physical play, generating new works once a week. From acrobatics, to masks, from the Greek chorus to buffoon, we examined different tools of physical theater to understand how to use our bodies, voices, and the space and objects around us to tell fully-embodied stories.

Erica as The Clown in Balloonacy. Production photo by Katie Day

BALLOONACY is performed entirely without words! What is special about performing in a nonverbal production and why is this play such an important introduction to the world of theatre?

Wordless plays are special because they challenge us to really focus on the power of gesture. Each movement has a meaning, and with gestures, we can communicate beyond spoken languages and find a common ground through the language of the body. I love that it gives the audience the opportunity to experience and imagine a world in their own words in their minds. 

This play is an important introduction to the world of theater because this character is learning how to play again, and it invites the audience to ignite the imagination of this person. The audience plays a crucial role, and with their help, we all can find balloons and joy! This play calls for empathy and problem-solving, and I find that performing it is a new gift every time.

Erica as The Clown in Balloonacy. Production Photo by Katie Day

This is a one-person show but you have a very special co-star. Can you tell us about the process of working with balloons on-stage?

Working with the balloons has been such a fun adventure! Our brilliant stage manager, balloon wrangler, and props designer experimented with various helium/pumped air ratios to find the right balloons for each moment. I love working with the balloons because they are different each time, each with its own personality, and the balloons have taught me how to go with the flow and take each moment as it comes.

Erica and her co-star following the first rehearsal to introduce balloons. Rehearsal photo by Director Dana Legawiec

Is there anything else we should know about BALLOONACY?

Balloonacy has been a dream come true to work on!!! It has taught me how to play again, how to find joy through difficult times, and I would be honored to share this joy with you in the beautiful new Maddy's Theater. I hope to see you there.

Balloonacy runs through July 25th with tickets starting at $10 each, Members receive a 10% discount. Admission to Maddy’s Theatre is separate from Museum play sessions, and Maddy’s Theatre welcomes actors and audience members of all ages and abilities. kitetails.org/balloonacy