Saturday, November 21, 2009
Next Step Promotional Video
Check out the Next Step Workshop promotional video -- including some clips from our 2009 Next Step performance in Kids Church at the A/G Church in Willmar, MN.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Bruce and I Say "Thanks"
It was great working with the nine participants who came to the Next Step workshop. We appreciate your kind comments and your commitment to doing the best you can in ministry for our Lord!
I'll try to post some more pictures and video in the near future for you to see a bit of what happened at "The Next Step" in November 2009.
God bless you!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Less Than A Month Away...
Wow! Here it comes!
Bruce "Charlie" Johnson and I just spoke on the phone and are excited about the time we are going to have together. Right now we are polishing the schedule and preparing to share our plan for growth with you. It's going to be exciting!
Here are a few things you will want to plan for:
1. Please plan to be here at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon. This will allow time for you to make the trip to Willmar from the airport in Minneapolis, or wherever you may be coming from. Also, for those that are closer, it may allow you time to check into your hotel before coming over to the church. Once you arrive here at the church on Wednesday, you will stay here until about 8:30 p.m. We will start off with a time of acquanting ourselves with each other, discuss some ministry thoughts, have a "family style" supper at the church, and you will also watch Bruce and I do two chapel services for different aged children that evening.
2. The Next Step workshop is a time of active learning. There will be some lecture times, but there will also be a lot of time working on stage presentation, movement, character, timing, etc. The highlight of our time together is our Sunday morning Kids Church presentation. We present two Kids Church services (9:00 and 10:45). These services last approximately and hour and 20 minutes. When I say "we present" I mean YOU! We will work together on writing and performing material during our workshop. We may use that in the Sunday morning services. Some of the material presented in Kids Church may be one of the routines that you are bringing to work on with us. For many of us, this is a very fun time ministering along with other clowns. If you are not able to be with us for the Sunday morning due to your personal ministry commitments, we understand. Please let me know in advance of the workshop beginning so that I may avoid any awkwardness with the other attendees. I'd just like to know "up front." Thanks.
3. I will be picking up Bruce at the airport on Tuesday. He will be flying out once again on Monday. If you need to fly into Minneapolis, and will be arriving and leaving at a time that somewhat coincides with Bruce's transportation plans, know that I'm willing to pick you up and have you ride along with us. Just let me know.
Looking forward to having you here in less than a month!
Randy
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time is Running Out!
Hey Folks!
Tommorow is October 1st. We are just about a month away from the Next Step workshop. Unfortunatly, at this time I only have 5 paid registrants. We will make the decision whether we need to modify, or cancel the Next Step training within the next week. We are unable to financially make this happen if we do not have at least 9 people.
Hopefully I will have good news within the next couple of days!
Bless ya!
Randy
Sunday, August 23, 2009
More Insights To Consider
Please take time to read some of the articles on www.pastorclown.blogspot.com These provide concepts to consider prior to coming to the Next Step workshop. None of these articles are available in print form anywhere else at this time. Hopefully, there's a bunch of good material there for you.
Specifically, make sure you see:
Philosophy For Effective Clowning (May 2009)
Engage the Emotions (March 2009)
Children's Ministry Focus (Feb 2009) ...view a video.
Imitations (September 2008)
Looking forward to our time together. At this time we have 9 of us coming together with a few more that have said they will be joining us. We'll see. Hopefully they can make it.
Any questions? Please contact me at 320.235.2529.
Specifically, make sure you see:
Philosophy For Effective Clowning (May 2009)
Engage the Emotions (March 2009)
Children's Ministry Focus (Feb 2009) ...view a video.
Imitations (September 2008)
Looking forward to our time together. At this time we have 9 of us coming together with a few more that have said they will be joining us. We'll see. Hopefully they can make it.
Any questions? Please contact me at 320.235.2529.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Imagine That!
Hey Next Step Folks!
During these summer months I'm doing quite a few kids programs and performances at camps, church, VBS, the Sonshine summer music festival and in August - the L.O.L. tour. It's a crazy schedule, but I'm lovin' it! (even more than McDonalds)
During these days, I also take time to imagine new scenarios and situations as a clown. You may do that too. Dream about the character and what would happen in the different settings you may find yourself in.
Make sure that you write down these thoughts. Get a notebook, or file it on your computor. Personally, I like the tactile method of putting it in a notebook or card file box. That way, I can also sketch a picture that presents the comedic image.
This may be the beginning of a routine. This is the kind of stuff that we can work on at the Next Step workshop. Some folks come with "finished" routines that they want to show us. Uh, that's alright. But the best use of your time (and our time) is if you want feedback on ways that routines can change and improve. Plan to show us skits or routines that are "in process," if you want feedback. Bruce's and my goal is to give you feedback that helps you connect better with your audience and also helps you bring the message clearly through (if it's a routine with a message, that is.)
So, start dreaming! Write that stuff down. Keep track of it. There have a been a number of times that I've done that, and then, actually years later, I pulled out the paperwork and the solution to the inspiration hit, and I had a NEW routine to present to my audience.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bruce "Charlie" Johnson Joins Next Step
Hey Everyone!
I'm thrilled to announce that Bruce "Charlie" Johnson from Washington state is going to be with us at the Next Step workshop. Bruce is known as one of the premier clown historians along with being on the leading edge of teaching creativity, magic and stage craft to clowns.
About a decade ago, Bruce joined me to teach a Next Step workshop in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I'm so glad that he's able to be with us this November!
Read more about Bruce at his website, www.charliethejugglingclown.com He also offers a "Thought For the Week" email newsletter that educates and inspires clowns around the world. It's a free subscription. So, if you're not on it yet, I encourage you to join.
Looking forward to a wonderful time with you all!
Randy
I'm thrilled to announce that Bruce "Charlie" Johnson from Washington state is going to be with us at the Next Step workshop. Bruce is known as one of the premier clown historians along with being on the leading edge of teaching creativity, magic and stage craft to clowns.
About a decade ago, Bruce joined me to teach a Next Step workshop in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I'm so glad that he's able to be with us this November!
Read more about Bruce at his website, www.charliethejugglingclown.com He also offers a "Thought For the Week" email newsletter that educates and inspires clowns around the world. It's a free subscription. So, if you're not on it yet, I encourage you to join.
Looking forward to a wonderful time with you all!
Randy
