NOTE: This retreat will be limited to 16 participants. Apply early to avoid the utter despair of missing out!
Fools Proof: Summer Clown Camp for Adults (Ages 18+)
Expand yourself by developing play and personal presence onstage and in everyday life!
This retreat is perfect for performers and non-performers, dancers, actors, musicians, storytellers, and anyone interested in building their personal presence and sensory awareness in performance and everyday life!
It is an opportunity to bring more awareness to the subtly of our senses, awakening to our environment with attuned aliveness and humour.
Through a series of experiential awareness building exercises by Nayana Fielkov, we will cultivate curiosity, explore emotional and expressive range, loosen our perceptions, and practice the bravery of sharing our willingness and openness. By following the body and our impulses, we can be in delight with the discovery of the moment. We will culminate our 5 days together in a performance.
What’s so funny?!?!
WE ARE!!
What will we discover in this journey into our deep clown?
Laugh A LOT
Practice presence-ing to the room, the space, and each-other with alive engagement to expand the detail of humor
Practice emotional range in order to widen possibilities of freedom with agency
Practice simplicity to find availability, honesty and detail in what is funny
Explore extension of impulse to become familiar with the edges of what is possible
Work with tempo, rhythm, space, tensegrity, shape, and form to gain agency in the body as a tool
Work with Experience and Innocence and where they meet
Discover by witnessing and practicing what generates laughter
Widen tools and possibilities for generating content and inspiration
This retreat is perfect for performers and non-performers, dancers, actors, musicians, storytellers, and anyone interested in building their personal presence and sensory awareness in performance and everyday life!
Taught in English with Gibberish subtitles.
"If I were a fool, I'd know exactly what to do"
TEACHER
Photo credit: Misha Miller
nAYANA fIELKOV
Nayana Fielkov is a Canadian based performing artist dedicated to the work of play. She brings together the mediums of clown, dance, mask and physical comedy. Nayana is co-creator and performer in multi-award winning shows Falling Awake, Hotel Vortruba , A Can of Worms, UNDERBELLY, Habitats, PRESTO!, Out Of Time, and Same Same Different. She is a founding member of ensemble Theatre/Clown troupes the Poupon Parade, and The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. Nayana brings her experience from the stage, the studio, from life, collaborations, studies, and from her life long somatic inquiries.
Nayana has studied with : David MacMurray Smith, Deanna Fleysher, John Turner, Jon Davison, Jan Henderson, Peter Bingham, Chris Aiken, Ruth Zaporah and many more. She is currently in studies with Giovanni Fusetti. Nayana has been teaching for over a decade both internationally and throughout Canada.
nayanafielkov.ca
TESTIMONIALS
“I genuinely cannot speak highly enough of working with Nayana. What she creates is more than just clowning — it is a container through which you can see your life and the world in a new way (which includes a lot of laughing). If you’re on the fence about doing this workshop, I encourage anyone and everyone to take the leap. You won’t regret it.”
-Student
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"I felt seen, safe, and supported. I found her to be flexible,
kind, honest, and a master of her craft."
-Megan Hyslop PHD
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"It was exciting to see her passion and experience transfer into meaningful and direct lessons and opportunities.
Nayana was able to facilitate very strong and playful solo, small group and ensemble work built on awareness, listening and responsiveness."
Jason Donaldson Gulf Islands School of performing arts
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“Nayana has the super power to interrupt your imaginary world without shutting you down. She can see the world you're in, or trying to get to, and give the right prompts to help you delve deeper into it and share it with others”.
Doreanna -Student
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“Nayana listens so well to the attendees and navigates different backgrounds, approaches, wants and needs calmly and skillfully. She demonstrates the techniques with an immediate ease that demonstrates a real depth of experience. She makes people feel comfortable enough to try things beyond their boundary without pushing anyone over the edge. It was a pleasure to learn from her in the space she created.”
Rob Teszka - Magician/Student
DATES
August 20th - August 24th, 2025
Arrival Day: August 20th (welcome, set up camp) 2-4:00pm
Performance Day: August 24th (performance, celebration dinner, departure)
*Departure: participants have the option of leaving Sunday evening or staying over night and leaving Monday by noon.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:30-9:30AM BREAKFAST AVAILABLE
10:00-12:00PM CLASS WITH NAYANA
1:30- 3:30PM LUNCH/REST/DIGEST
4:00- 6:00PM CLASS WITH NAYANA
6:00-7:30PM DINNER
7:30-9:00PM INTEGRATION/SELF ORGANIZED IMPROV PLAY
TRAVEL TO SALT SPRING ISLAND
Travel by air to Vancouver International Airport YVR or Victoria YYJ Airport.
Salt Spring Island is a popular tourist destination. Travel during the summer months can be BUSY! Best to reserve your route as early as possible (reserve your flight or ferry travel).
We will organize a rideshare for those interested. Its also a great way to meet your fellow attendees before the gathering.
If you are coming by foot (i.e. no car) we can organize a pick up for you at the Harbour Air or Ferry terminals if you let us know in advance.
TRAVEL BY AIR from Vancouver YVR Airport (select Richmond YVR Airport) on Harbour Air into Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island. The travel is 35 mins. This can be helpful if traveling to YVR airport already from elsewhere. You will need to transfer to the South Terminal via airport shuttle (free) or taxi (paid) (may take between 15 and 30 mins depending on traffic).
TRAVEL BY SEA on BC Ferries. There are 2 main options:
Travel direct from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island (1 or 2 options daily). The crossing is 40 mins. See schedule here
Travel via Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal (Victoria) This option is available every hour daily. he crossing is 25 mins. See schedule here
THEN TRANSFER
Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island). This option available every approximately every 2 hrs daily. See schedule here
Travel questions? Please ask! info@rhizomesprings.com
TRAVEL TO RHIZOME SPRINGS ON SALT SPRING ISLAND
We are located in the south end of Salt Spring Island. The road is not paved, but maintained and graded semi frequently. Although it can be rough, most vehicles can drive it without issue. The key is to DRIVE SLOWLY. We will send complete directions upon registration. Questions? info@rhizomesprings.com
Location Details
Salt Spring Island is a small town community (pop ~10,000). The closest store is 20 min drive (Fulford Harbour). The main town, Ganges, is 35 min drive away with a grocery store, ATM, cafes, pharmacy, small hospital and some general supply stores. There are no big box stores and limited amenities on island. The famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Farmers Market has fresh local produce and lots of famous artisanal food and crafts. There are lots of local farm stands selling home made/grown produce, baking, kombucha, soaps, teas, etc.
Tent/Car camping included. Please bring your own gear (tent, sleeping mat/bag). We have some tents/gear for rent (please inquire prior to coming if interested).
Potable water on site. Bring your own water bottle and mug for coffee/tea.
Bring clothes to dress in layers, as the weather is unpredictable. Sometimes cooler nights/mornings and very hot afternoons/eves.
We have showers. Only biodegradable soaps/shampoos please.
The ocean or lake are within a 10 min drive. Sensitive eco systems - no oils/soaps etc.
The land is a sensitive ecosystem and we count on you to respect and honour this by cleaning up after yourself, preserving water, being fauna and flora aware and embodying the animal this land asks for.
Stinging nettle is on the property. Brushing with this is NOT as severe like poison oak. Symptoms are a tingly-burny sensation (like having rubbed against sandpaper) that may last for a few minutes to few hours (depending on your sensitivity).
Bring: headlamp, footwear to meet a rugged landscape, sun hats, sunscreen, layered clothing, water bottle, mug for coffee/tea, journal, pen, tent, sleeping mat, bag, pillow, towel, toiletries.
Food
3 delicious meals provided (breakfast, lunch, dinner) lovingly prepared by our dancing resident chefs!
Always available: tea/coffee
If you like to snack during the day, best to bring your own.
We source from local and organic foods as much as possible.
Meals are octo/lacto vegetarian.
We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so please complete the registration to let us know of any dietary needs you have.
COST
The cost of the retreat including camping, classes, and meals (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun) is CAD $750.
Payment plan available. Please inquire to: info@rhizomesprings.com
Some partial work trade sports available. Please inquire to: info@rhizomesprings.com
PAYMENT
To complete registration please send full payment to:
Canadians pay via e-transfer to: info@rhizomesprings.com
Password: RHIZOME
Non-Canadians pay via WISE.com
PAYMENT PLAN
To inquire about payment plan options email to: info@rhizomesprings.com
REFUNDS
*50% refund can be made until June 20th.
** no refunds after July 20th.
***In case of cancellation of the event all receipts will be refunded less $50 admin fee.
the Studio
Classes will take place in the 50-foot diameter dome, with walls open to fresh air and incredible views from Phoenix Domes