When Shanice first encountered clowning, she was terrified. “I told the teacher, ‘I’m not very funny and the thought of making people laugh as a clown is scary to me.’” His response? “Just play the games to the best of your ability and the clown will arrive.”

Now, years later, the actress and professional clown has trained under world-renowned clown master Philippe Gaulier in Paris, toured internationally with her award-winning clown-comedy Mail Ordered that has won three awards, and most recently debuted her latest show $$$ at the New York Comedy Festival. She credits clowning for reshaping not just her performances — but her perspective on failure, freedom, and authenticity.

As she gears up to lead a new clowning workshop in Singapore, Shanice sits down with SLATE! to share how clowning cracked her open as a performer, why more actors should embrace their “silly,” and how being ridiculous might just be the most real thing you can do.

😳 From NYU to Paris — and straight into the unknown

Clowning wasn’t part of the plan. While training at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Shanice stumbled into her first clown class by accident — and what began as a curriculum requirement quickly became a calling.

“My first clown class — and every class after that — was so much fun,” she recalls. “We played tons of games, did wild improvisations… I thrived in the playfulness of it.” What truly struck her, though, was the freedom it offered. “Coming from Singapore, where we’re often rewarded for being good or perfect, I realised this was something I needed — a space where mistakes weren’t punished, but played with.”

That realisation took her all the way to France, where she trained at École Philippe Gaulier — the school responsible for shaping icons like Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter.

"It wasn’t just about being funny. It was about learning to be free."

🤡 Clowns aren’t just for laughs — they’re truth-tellers

“When people hear I’m a clown, they think of circus acts or horror films like IT,” Shanice laughs.

"But clowning has a much deeper history. Clowns have always been cultural truth-tellers — holding up a mirror to society’s absurdities in the most honest and hilarious way."

She points out that even beloved characters like Mr. Bean are rooted in clowning. “That’s modern clown at its best — full of heart, play, and vulnerability.”

In Singapore, where the clowning scene is still niche, she admits it can be hard for people to grasp the craft’s value. “It often gets dismissed as lowbrow or silly. But real clowning? It’s brave. It’s honest. And it’s deeply human.”

🎭 Clowning made me a better actor — and a braver one

Ask Shanice how clowning has shaped her acting, and her eyes light up. “It’s completely transformed me as an actress. I walk into auditions now with so much more confidence — especially with improvisation. There's a saying in clown: The clown can do anything. That mindset changed everything for me.”

More than technique, it gave her trust in her instincts. “Instead of guessing what casting directors want, I lean into my own version of the character — bold, messy, and real. That’s made me more authentic and, honestly, more bookable.”

Clowning also unlocked her voice as a creator.

"Thanks to the clown, I’ve written and performed shows all over the world. Those experiences — the laughter, the risks, the communities I’ve met — I owe that to clowning."

✨ Vulnerability is the point

Clowning isn’t about hiding behind a character. It’s about showing up fully. “It cracked me open in the best way,” she says.

"Clowning demands your presence, your truth, your silliness, and your heart. You’re not pretending — you are."

While Shanice values all forms of actor training, she believes clowning offers something unique. “It teaches you to really listen — to the moment, the audience, your scene partner — and to be okay with not knowing what comes next. It’s scary. And so liberating.”

🔥 Why actors (and non-actors) should try clowning

“Clowning helps you tap into your most instinctive, authentic self,” she explains. “You embrace your quirks, your flaws, your boldest choices. You learn to play with failure — and realise it’s often the most honest and funniest thing you can offer.”

And it’s not just for comedy.

"Clowning sharpens your instincts for connection. It makes your performances feel alive and spontaneous — whether you’re doing a drama or a sketch."

🎟️ Ready to get silly? Here’s what to expect.

Shanice’s Intro to Clowning workshop is designed for everyone — actors, creatives, or the just-plain-curious. It’s a playful, games-based introduction to clown, physical comedy, and boosting your comedic instincts. She says “you don’t need any experience, just come ready to laugh, move, and surprise yourself. It’s three hours of laughter and the best time.”

🧼 Jump into the play

Whether you're an actor looking to unlock new tools, or someone ready to reconnect with joy and ridiculousness — this is your sign.

👉 Sign up for Shanice’s Intro to Clowning workshop now:

Finding Your Funny (Intro to Clown Level 1) Date: 1st May (Thurs), 10am - 1pm

Looking For The Laughs (Intro to Clown Level 2) Date: 1st May (Thurs), 2- 5pm

Join via boons on the GoodTake app and enjoy 30% off

🎪 The Art of Play with Shanice Stanislaus: Clowning Around with Purpose