I have worked as a professional therapeutic clown artist since 2001 in numerous healthcare and community settings around Toronto and the GTA with clients ranging from newborns to elders in palliative care.

I am a graduate of Queen’s University Drama, The National Theatre School of Canada (Directing Program) and the Loose Moose International Improvisation School. I have studied physical theatre/clowning and improvisation with some of the world’s finest teachers including John Turner and Mike Kennard (Mump& Smoot), Philippe Gaulier, Francine Cote and Keith Johnstone. I have over 350 accumulated hours of specialized training from health-care and arts professionals to adapt clown work to health care settings for therapeutic benefit. In 2014  I was selected to participate in the intensive Memory Bridge Alzheimer’s Training Retreat in Bloomington, Indiana – an invaluable week of exchange and learning with fellow leaders and innovators in the field of Dementia care.

My career encompasses work as a performer, director, producer, writer, teacher and arts manager in theatre, television, in health care and in the wider community. Highlights include three years as Artistic Director of The People’s Theatre (now Theatre Kingston), four years writing for and performing the role of network clown host “Tansy” for Treehouse TV, four years teaching improvisation at the Second City Training Centre and in Toronto schools, and five years managing the Toronto chapter of Dr Clown/Jovia.

Since November 2014 I have been teaching improvisation and drama to adults living with memory loss at the Bitove Method (formerly the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy) – a unique arts-based learning centre specializing in programming for those living with early to mid-stage Dementia. I am a regular companion to a woman living with Alzheimer’s and I support an uncle living with dementia.

Back in 2001 I joined the developing therapeutic clown program at Sick Kids hospital and embarked on an exciting journey of the red nose in service.  Having worked with people across the illness, age and ability spectrum, I have been building my life’s work around my red nose, contributing to health and healing through empowering play, compassionate care and life-enhancing humour. I now specialize in adult and elder-care,  providing regular therapeutic clown visits to folks living in Long-Term Care and in hospital settings.

For more details about my work history, background and training please click:       Kathleen Le Roux CV – April 2024