Despite living in an era of hyper connection on the digital front, we're in the middle of a loneliness epidemic and it's having disastrous effects on our mental health. Could the answer be to put our smart devices down and learn to connect back to our playful and inquisitive selves, remembering the kind of curiosity and wonder we felt as a child? Holly Stoppit thinks the answer is a big, glorious, fearless YES!

Inside every adult lives a unique, curious, playful, sensitive creature called a clown. Holly Stoppit helps people from all walks of life to access their inner clowns and harvest the crazy wisdom that abounds.

Holly grew up in the circus and has travelled the world to learn from many wise clown masters. She has performed in streets, schools, festivals, circus tents and theatres. Holly is now a Bristol-based clown teacher, facilitator, dramatherapist, performance researcher, theatre director, university lecturer, blogger and actual real life clown.

In her TEDx talk, Holly shares her clowning high's and lows - and how she discovered clowning can bring us into deeper connection with ourselves and each other. 10 years ago, having become increasingly fascinated in the healing potential of the creative process, Holly began retraining as a drama therapist. For her Masters dissertation research, Holly explored the potential therapeutic benefits of clown skills training for adults with mental health issues. Thus “Clown-o-therapy” was born; a group therapy system, which blends clowning, mindfulness and personal reflection.

Credits:

Our talks and films are produced, filmed and edited by a brilliant team of talented volunteers and pro-bono partners:

Directed and Produced by Mel Rodrigues, Creative Director TEDxBristol

Production Manager: Clare Crossley

Filmed and edited by Floating Harbour:
Richard da Costa
Reuben Gaines
Chessie Sharman
Raph Watson
Tom Young
Ben Scrase
Dan O'Connell

Music licensed by MPCS. Ref LMGR-0018061 Holly Stoppit is Bristol-based clown teacher, facilitator, dramatherapist, performance researcher, theatre director, university lecturer, blogger and actual real life clown.

Holly grew up in the circus and has travelled the world to learn from many wise clown masters. She has performed in streets, schools, festivals, circus tents and theatres.

10 years ago, having become increasingly fascinated in the healing potential of the creative process, Holly began retraining as a dramatherapist. For her Masters dissertation research, Holly explored the potential therapeutic benefits of clown skills training for adults with mental health issues. Thus “Clown-o-therapy” was born; a group therapy system, which blends clowning, mindfulness and personal reflection.

These days, Holly facilitates workshops for adults of all ages, backgrounds and from every corner of the UK and beyond.

Holly is artistic director of Beyond The Ridiculous - a collective of solo improvisers made up of Holly's long-term students. Last year, Holly was Clown In Residence at Bristol Museum. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx