STAND UP AND CLOWN

Chad Damiani

One of the architects of LA’s current modern clown scene, Chad Damiani (aka The Clown Boss) explores the mercurial nature of this work — and how it can be applied to everything from improv to stand-up to life in general. A mix of interviews with artists that embody clown spirit and solo episodes where Chad offer opinions, instruction and (hopefully) morsels of inspiration. STAND UP AND CLOWN is named after Chad’s monthly show at LA's Elysian Theater (last Mondays at 9:30pm), where he ruthlessly live directs stand-up comics through a grueling gauntlet of modern clown work.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Joy is Worth the Suffering

    Like this podcast? Share it with a friend and help spread the word of clown. FOLLOW Chad on IG to clown videos and to keep up-to-date on classes and shows!  INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast deals with issues of grief, death and loss. It’s Chad’s yearly grief-inspired clown podcast! Chad unpacks a phrase he often uses when teaching - “the joy is worth the suffering” – and how it's a mindset that sets clowns up for success (both on and off-the-stage).  STAND UP AND CLOWN FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! This show is happening the day this podcast drops! We’ve got some great clowns (Courtney Pauroso, Dee Marcucci, Business Casual), and some of the best and worst comics to ever do the show – including Anna Akana, Danielle Perez, Fumi Abe and Dave Merheje! Come be part of clown history. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! NEW LA CLASSES IN 2026! Chad has only two spots left in his first-ever weekday DISRUPTOR (for people who work weekends), another installment of his newest intensive DESTABILIZER – and his most-popular workshop LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE – which includes a class show. FIND OTHER SHOWS ON CHAD’S  LINKTREE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR CLOWN BOSS Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    42 min

  2. FEB 9

    Devising and Pre-Show Games: Notes from Niagara Falls.

    Like this podcast? Share it with a friend and help spread the word of modern clown. FOLLOW Chad on IG to clown videos and to keep up-to-date on classes and shows!  INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! The longest solo pod ever? Chad does daily journal entries from the Fallsview Casino and Resort in Niagara Falls. He details how he continues to work on his act, while performing with Piff The Magic Dragon’s All-Star Vegas – which often has audiences of 1-2000 people. Plus, a look at interacting with the audience during the pre-show – and how it can help the performer gain an advantage.  STAND UP AND CLOWN FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! The lineup is set for this epic show! We’ve got some great clowns (Courtney Pauroso, Dee Marcucci, Business Casual), and some of the best and worst comics to ever do the show – including Anna Akana, Danielle Perez, Fumi Abe and Dave Merheje! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! NEW LA CLASSES IN 2026! Chad is sold out in February, but he’s got a bunch of LA classes in March and April! He’s got a weekday version of his popular class DISRUPTOR (for people who work weekends), another installment of his newest intensive DESTABILIZER – and his most-popular workshop LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE – which includes a class show. FIND OTHER SHOWS ON CHAD’S  LINKTREE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR CLOWN BOSS Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    41 min

  3. JAN 26

    2026 Refresher: What is Modern Clown?

    FOLLOW Chad on IG to clown videos and to keep up-to-date on classes and shows!  INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! In this solo pod, Chad takes a step back and gives a basic refresher on modern clown. This one is jam-packed with discussion of clown principles and the motivations that make this work unique and dynamic. SHOWS - IN LA AND SAN FRAN On February 1st, Chad is bringing STAND UP AND CLOWN to SF Sketchfest. The cast includes Joey Dardano (Wild 'n Out), Zach Zucker (Stamptown) and Dropout TV favs Demi Adejuyigbe, Anna Garcia and Jordan Myrick. TICKETS HERE And check out Chad’s next WIP solo show at the Elysian Theater!  Comedy for Smart People on Saturday February 7th at 830pm. TICKETS HERE NEW LA CLASSES IN 2026! Chad is sold out in February, but he’s got a bunch of LA classes in March and April! He’s got a weekday version of his popular class DISRUPTOR (for people who work weekends), another installment of his newest intensive DESTABILIZER – and his most-popular workshop LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE – which includes a class show. FIND OTHER SHOWS ON CHAD’S  LINKTREE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    37 min

  4. JAN 12

    Clown Games, Subversion and Playing Stand-Up Shows

    FOLLOW Chad on IG to clown videos and to keep up-to-date on classes and shows! Find links in the episode notes. INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! The first episode of 2026! Chad is still exploring doing daily journals on a variety of topics (as he figures out his next series of interviews). In this solo pod, he talks about how clowns tell stories that share a lot of DNA with professional sports, talks about the challenges that face clowns when they want to perform at traditional stand-up shows and explores the difference between subversion and mockery. SHOWS - IN LA AND SAN FRAN On February 1st, Chad is bringing STAND UP AND CLOWN to SF Sketchfest. The cast includes Joey Dardano (Wild 'n Out), Zach Zucker (Stamptown) and Dropout TV favs Demi Adejuyigbe, Anna Garcia and Jordan Myrick. TICKETS HERE And check out Chad’s next WIP solo show at the Elysian!  Comedy for Smart People on Saturday February 7th at 830pm. TICKETS HERE NEW LA CLASSES IN 2026! DESTABILIZER is already sold out for February, but a few spots remain for ACCELERATOR – Chad’s first three-day intensive in LA since before the pandemic (a workshop focused on solo work). Classes for March will be announced soon.  Accelerator is a more advanced class. READ MORE HERE FIND OTHER SHOWS ON CHAD’S  LINKTREE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    37 min

  5. 12/29/2025

    Holiday Grab Bag: Versatility, Authenticity and Listening for Laughs

    FOLLOW Chad on IG to clown videos and to keep up-to-date on classes and shows! Find links in the episode notes. INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! The last episode of 2025! In this solo pod, Chad presents two different journal entries. Each deals with a different topic. How can applying clown to multiple kinds of comedy help expand your understanding of the work? When is it a good time to leave room for laughs and when should we charge through to build more energy? Also, lots of general philosophical talk about the most foolish art form in existence. NEW LA CLASSES COMING IN 2026! Chad’s mask class is almost full at The Elysian in mid-January. This is not a traditional mask class, but one designed to show you how masks are a tool for creating modern work. Also, grab tickets to Chad’s first big show of the new year – his WIP solo show COMEDY FOR SMART PEOPLE on January 8th! You can find all the links HERE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    37 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Getting Them To Love You

    INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! The longest solo of 2025! Chad talks about recent happenings in his personal life -- where he realized he needed to think more like a clown. In the second half of the episode, Chad does a deep dive into the mercurial nature of a clown's relationship with an audience – and offers some practical tips on how to maximize the experience for both sides. NEW LA CLASSES COMING IN 2026! I am bringing my mask class to the Elysian – and doing a first-ever weekday intensive at UCB. PLUS! A brand-new UCB intensive in February. You can find all the links HERE MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    39 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Questions a Clown Should Ask

    FOLLOW Chad on IG to keep up-to-date on classes and shows! INSTAGRAM and LINKTREE here! Chad is finally back with another solo pod! He catches listeners up on his last few months of clowning around the world, then talks about the questions he asks himself after a show. LAST CLASS OF 2025! Chad is teaching one more round of DISRUPTOR at UCB on December 13-14. As of this posting, there are four spots left! ENROLL HERE! Check out the CLOWNBOSS PATREON for weekly content! PODCAST THEME SONG BY MIRTHQUAKE JACKSON: @mqj_groove_jr MORE ABOUT THE CLOWN BOSS! “The Father of Modern Clown in LA” - NPR Chad Damiani is one of the architects of the contemporary clown scene in LA – a fearless exploration of joy, mischief, absurdity and audience interaction that embraces the spirit of clown work, without being limited to traditional conventions.

    37 min

  8. 08/25/2025

    How Improv Helped Create the LA Clown Scene

    The return of STAND UP AND CLOWN is a month away! The only show brave enough to save comedy is back on September 29th – with the return of HDTGM’s Paul Scheer! There are only three shows left this year – come be part of the chaos. 9/29 TICKETS HERE Chad is back with a solo pod. This one has a little bit of everything – including a detailed breakdown of how LA Clown benefited from the improv boom of the early 2010s. PLUS, a discussion on how to prioritize authenticity and purpose over ideas and details. Here’s a link to the YES ALSO podcast! FALL CLASSES ARE LIVE! Make sure to sign up before they sell out! 10/04-05: DISRUPTOR (BOTTLE ROCKET IN PITTSBURGH) 10/20-21 LANGUAGE OF NONSENSE (ELYSIAN IN LA) 11/01-02 DISRUPTOR 2: MASK PLAY (UCB LA) (no pre-requisite required) 11/15-16 ORIGINAL DISRUPTOR (UCB LA) INTERESTED IN DOING A ONE-DAY INTENSIVE IN PHILLY ON 10/11? FILL OUT THIS SUBMISSION FORM Check out the CLOWNBOSS PATREON for weekly content! Follow Chad on INSTAGRAM! PODCAST THEME SONG BY MIRTHQUAKE JACKSON: @mqj_groove_jr

    37 min
See All (128)

4.9
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

One of the architects of LA’s current modern clown scene, Chad Damiani (aka The Clown Boss) explores the mercurial nature of this work — and how it can be applied to everything from improv to stand-up to life in general. A mix of interviews with artists that embody clown spirit and solo episodes where Chad offer opinions, instruction and (hopefully) morsels of inspiration. STAND UP AND CLOWN is named after Chad’s monthly show at LA's Elysian Theater (last Mondays at 9:30pm), where he ruthlessly live directs stand-up comics through a grueling gauntlet of modern clown work.

Information

  • Creator
    Chad Damiani
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    STAND UP AND CLOWN

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