Coulrophobia by Judith Mendelsohn
Photo by Tim Nguyen at Citrus Photography
In her newest comedic creation, Coulrophobia, Judith Mendelsohn uses her recent 3-year experience in Paris as her point of inspiration. Drawing from the artistic realms of theatre, bouffon, and clown, Coulrophobia offers a glimpse into Judith’s Parisian pursuit to becoming a clown.
Judith Mendelsohn is fresh off the boat, having returned to her hometown after having spent three years in Paris, France. In 2008, Judith was awarded funding by the Canadian Development Initiative Program and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to pursue an intensive two-year acting program with the infamous clown, Philippe Gaulier, in Paris, France. In 2010-2011, Judith wrote and performed her show, Bienvenue à Paris with Harlan Chambers and Balthazar Gaulier in Paris France while studying sports at the Université Nouvelle Sorbonne. Judith has been creating and performing her bouffon/clownesque shows since 2006. Her solo shows Hothouse, Bonne Fête, and her show Bobby were created and performed in Calgary in collaboration with Sage and Downstage Theatre. She has had the great pleasure of working as a character/stiltwalking performer with Calgary’s Green Fools Theatre and has studied clown with Canada’s famous John Turner (Smoot of the Mump and Smoot duo) and Dean Bareham, has an MFA in Theatre from the University of Calgary and a diploma in acting from Mount Royal College. She is extremely pleased to have returned to Calgary, her hometown, and to be a part of this year’s Soulocentric Festival.