Meet Dean Evans | Director, writer, theater artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dean Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dean, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
As artist and clown: Risk is one of the pillars that holds the metaphorical circus tent up. Risk takes many forms. Emotional, financial, strategic ect. It’s through physical risk that I learned a holistic approach to risk taking. Early in my career there was a troop in called 500 Clown. They were the coolest theater troop in Chicago. Their mission was built around creating physical risk to access presence and connection. Their shows felt alive and dangerous both physically and emotionally. Their classes were wild. I took them all several times. Imagine standing at the edge of a chair. You become present and aware. What is mildly uncomfortable to some, may be unsafe to others. Some may stand on the edge of a building, for a small step will do the trick. Risk is a personal experience for everyone. Every community comes with it’s own ideas of what risk is. It’s crucial for me to evaluate what’s a risk for me. Where am I uncomfortable? and why? And sometimes, I find, the risk is not to jump. Years later, my clown dreams came true, and I got to perform in my favorite 500 Clown show. It was called 500 Clown Frankenstein. Although I was never a natural Daredevil that some of the others performers were I was able to be curageous in my own way, which allowed me to discover emotional truth unique to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When it comes to telling people what I do, I usually start broad by saying I’m a theater artist and director. Because if I say I’m a Clown, or even worse, a Mime (which I am too) then I’m stuck in a box that I may never get out of, depending on who I’m talking to. All and all, I create live theater and write and direct films. I went to theater school at the age of 23, not having ever even seen a play before, What drove me to pursue the most terrifying thing possible, being an introvert, was a powerful need to express myself and change my future. I had always been an artistic kid, but Ohio wasn’t a cultural hotspot at the time. Through theater I found a medium that worked well with my ability as a creator, story teller, and physical performer. And project based flow of creating live shows worked well with my obsessive personality. You can have an idea and be presenting it to a crowd of people in a matter of weeks, or even days. And the process is collaborative and ever changing, which is a fancy way of saying that you get to goof off with your friends (every artists dream). My area of specialty was Physical Theater. I studied movement, dance, Mime, Viewpoints, clown, and many more. I moved to Chicago and found myself in an avante-garde clown troop called Kapoot. Then I spent years as an ensemble member of the Neofuturists and learned to write, direct, and produce. I incubated in Chicago doing theater, improv, comedy, and eventually screen acting. Although those things may occupy different spaces, I’ve always found that the work of a Clown was universal. Being present, inviting, and expressive allowed me to bypass language barriers and see many parts of the world. Because my career is intrinsically tied to my artistic interests and there by my life, it’s been a long journey or heartbreak and triumph. These days I tend to be very pragmatic and professional with my projects, I direct and teach. I still get excited in when I’m in a theater whether its a movie theaters, a blackbox, or even just a small hill in a park where people sit. I love sharing creativity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since we’re in LA we’re going to be eating tacos because they are cheap and good. My favorite trucks the one in Hollywood at Santa Monica and Cahuanga for al pastor. The one in Highland Park on Ave 52 and the 7/11 for asada. Or, if we go brick and mortar, Tacos Delta on Sunset. I’m also a life lone diner person. So, House of Pies in Los Feliz, Cantors in West Hollywood, or Shakers in Pasadena. Of course we’ll be seeing the most disturbingly hilarious comedy you’ve ever seen at some of my favorite venues: Non Plus Ultra in the arts district, the Yard Theater in Virgil Village, the Lyric Hyperion in Silverlake. Or perhaps a matinee at Bob Baker Marioneette theater in highland park, which includes free ice cream. And bring your hiking boots because where hiking in Griffith park, Temescal canyon, Studevart falls. And if it’s summer bring your skimpiest bikini because we’re going to Venice beach by the pride lifeguard tower.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shout out to the LA’s vibrant Clown community. And to all of my collaborators past and present. Even the difficult ones!

Website: www.dean.la

Instagram: mrdeanevans

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-evans-0b5a602/

Other: IG: @the.nonsemble @wtfungo

Image Credits
Alan Michnoff Shari Imbo Miles Roberts Joe Mazza Amy Brown Carver