School for Comedy Beasts 2026 Application 
THIS SUMMER. JUNE 14-26, 2026.
You want a 13-day intensive workshop with gorgeous surroundings, incredible food, real community, wild showcases and a loving, rigorous, personalized push to get your comedy to the next level? Of course you do!

SCHOOL FOR COMEDY BEASTS is located at the Lookout Arts Quarry in the stunning Pacific Northwest, just 9 miles south of Bellingham, WA and a gazillion miles from anything in your way.

Daytime workshops (9:30-4:30) in a big luxurious sprung-floor studio, evening shows, delicious meals (Not kidding; we partner with a top-rated chef for locally-sourced gorgeous nurturing food), roaring fires and dance parties, a private lake (yes you heard that too)... This is a comedy/character retreat for serious people who want to take their craft to the next level, develop material and make a bunch of new deep friends. Camp on site (included in price) or stay in town.

This retreat is designed for professional artists and/or serious hobbyists who have experience in any of the following: comedy, burlesque, clown, bouffon, improv, drag, physical theater, circus, dance.

Week 1: FREE THE BEAST. interactive comedy skill building, ensemble play, improvisation, immersive site-specific play, clown melodrama and personalized coaching toward your most natural and riveting comedic performative self.

Week 2: HONE THE BEAST/CHARACTER INTENSIVE. A character development week focused on honing solo characters (duos etc. also possible) and creating material for your character, with directing/dramaturgy support, individualized prompts, and an awesome community of others doing the same thing. This week will be open to those who have worked with me previously (participants in Week 1 naturally qualify).

You can apply for Week 1 only, Week 2 only (with permission from instructor/ previous retreat attendance or extensive training with me required) or the whole enchilada. Preference given to applications for the full 2-week program. 

This retreat is limited to 20 participants! That's right! She's a small one!
Pricing: sliding scale $900-780 per week, ($1800-1560 sliding scale total)
Camping on site AND tasty and abundant lunches and dinners included. 
Tasty and Abundant Breakfast with coffee/tea is also available and HIGHLY recommended (+220$) . 
Apply early bird and get a 50$ discount on the first week! 
 
For now, clear some space in your June and get ready to apply.
Early bird deadline: March 15
Regular deadline: April 15

questions? hit up bigd@dontcallitclown.com

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR: DEANNA FLEYSHER aka BIG D (she/he/it) is an internationally-renowned clown king, comedy artist, teacher and director devoted to interactive comedy magic, fierce vulnerability and electric characters. Recently, she was THE clown king on TV's KING OF DRAG, and she continues to tour with her hit shows BUTT KAPINSKI and CINEPRIXXX, and her often-soldout workshops. She directs and co-creates solo and duo shows which win awards and get standing o's all over the world. She will kick your butt lovingly and get you the laughs and audience love you deserve. More at dontcallitclown.com. 
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Email *
Name, Pronouns, and Where You're Applying From *
Applying For:  *
Write a few sentences about your performance skills, including strengths and areas you'd like to improve.
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Write a few sentences about your previous performance training. *
Write a sentence or two about your fitness/ stamina levels. Training will include morning aerobic routines and stretching, and the work itself will be quite physical, for several hours each day. How does that suit you?  (Note: this workshop can absolutely work for people with different levels of fitness/stamina, but you need to be prepared for hard work and serious focus every damn day) *
The retreat is at the Lookout Arts Quarry, which is a beautiful arts commune deep in nature. "Deep in nature" means that the only toilets available are porta-potties (although there is an outdoor flushing toilet that is a lot of fun too). There are no laundry machines on site. And there is dirt, so ya might get dirty. Is Nature ok for you? 
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The lake and deck are clothing optional. Deanna can speak from personal experience that the clothing-optional-ness of these spaces is notably non-creepy (and she's someone who's real sensitive to that). But you might see naked people, or be one yourself. Are you comfortable with this level of hippiedom? 



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If you are from out of town, how will you get to the Lookout Arts Quarry (246 Old Highway 99 N, Bellingham, WA 98229 USA)? 
And once there, your sleeping options are either camping on site (almost totally covered by tuition, an additional 20$ MAX) or finding somewhere to stay (at your own expense). Bellingham, the closest city with the most housing options, is a 20-minute drive. If you don't camp on site, you will need access to a vehicle (although we might be able to arrange some ride share situations). If you camp (which most people do), you will need camping gear (sleeping bag/tent/everything else). What are your accommodation and your travel plans if you're selected to participate?
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Once again, we will be partnering with the wildly popular Chef Kassidy for incredible, nourishing meals. Lunch and dinner are included in tuition. Breakfast will be approx. 200$ extra, and is also delicious, and includes coffee/tea. 

Note that there is NO kitchen available for you to prepare or store your own meals. 

Will you be interested in purchasing breakfasts as well? 
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What are you hoping to get out of this workshop retreat? *
Please send a video of no more than 3 minutes (can be shorter) to introduce yourself, your comedy, your art, or whatever else you want to introduce. This can be anything you want, but don't work too hard on it. (Not required for people who have already trained extensively with Deanna—Please ask if you're unsure whether to send video.) Send to fleyshie@gmail.com. *
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A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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