It's one thing to BE a class clown...another thing to be in a CLASS FOR clowns!!!

Meet Steve Smith. He's one of those people that lights up a room with his sheer joy for life. What a wonderful person, fantastic teacher, and mentor for the Next Step Prep students (and for your humble photographer as well). Steve taught for a few days on clown techniques. I know what you're saying...first puppets, then clowns? What do CLOWNS have to do with theater? Same answer: EVERYTHING. Timing. Teamwork. Learning to work together and not upstaging each other, or playing off each other's strengths. Practicing to nail a joke on the beat. And heck...laugh a LOT while doing it.

I just SO WISH that I could provide you sound effects from Steve. Every time he'd show a technique, lead a warm up, or just plain talk to the students, he'd make funny noises or silly gestures to emphasize his points. Talk about being entranced.

Warm ups. Steve is in INCREDIBLE shape.

Ah, yes...the old karate chop to the back technique...

Break dance moment...actually Steve was teaching how to fall correctly...

Teaching a clowing routine with Ana...


Practicing and spotting. Steve emphasized safety and communication throughout his lessons. Here Logan and Liz help with spotting while Eric (with hat) and Wynston (on the floor) work on their routine...

Giving pointers (or a finger to the ear) to Liz and Alyx...


Emphasizing timing and hitting the beat of the routine...


Nicky shares a laugh while working with Ana...


Facial expressions are classic...


Steve was just a joy to watch, and the students absolutely loved him...


Thumbs up, Eric and Wynston!!!


Steve: A dead body should be rigid. You don't see many squishy dead bodies...trust me...all part of the routine :)

A laughter exercise. Lacy starts and thinks of something very funny so that she'll giggle. She then has to make eye contact with Taylor, who waits until she is genuinely laughing and then makes eye contact with Nicky, who'll in turn make eye contact with Alyx, who'll in turn make eye contact with Trey. Steve's suggestion was that even if you weren't laughing for real, "fake it until you are"...


Guess the faking worked, because at the end there were a LOT of tired tummy muscles. I believe Nicky is screaming, "STOP IT...it HURTS!" at this point...


I love this pic of Lacy...


And this one of Sofi...the dance studio where the afternoon classes are held sometimes is a photographer's dream...great lighting...sometimes I just can't resist the candids..


A clown is not a clown unless there are suspenders involved. I think it's part of the code.


Leading an "orchestra"...again, a moment where sound would be SO helpful for the blog!



This would be Liz and Nicky crashing cymbals...


Final pep talk. Steve understands these students so well, their dreams, their ambitions, and their inner drive to be the best they can be. He gave such wonderful advice...the best of all..."work as hard as you can at what you love and you will NEVER be unhappy". Too true.

Steve and Greg at the end of the day...

Thanks Steve! We were so blessed to have you as a part of Next Step Prep! Hope you had fun at the lake and safe travels back to Florida!