Natasha Mercado

NATASHA MERCADO is an actress, director, producer, writer, and theatre arts educator. She was born in a small town in Maryland, lived in New York for a minute, moved to LA, and became a clown. She has extensive experience in NYC and LA with sketch, improv, and character. She’s also studied with some of the best clowns including Dr. Brown, Chad Damiani, the Idiot Workshop, Eric Davis, the London Clown School, Stefan Haves, and Philippe Gaulier, to name a few. Her work has been featured on Adult Swim, HBO, TBS, Más Mejor, (Broadway Video’s premium comedy studio powered by Latino voices), and stages across LA. Natasha created the first-ever monthly clown show at UCB Franklin called “Send in the Clowns”. Currently, she is touring her award-winning solo clown show “Tree”— accolades include an encore run at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Stage Raw’s “Top Ten Shows in LA” 2022, Times Colonist’s “5 Must See Shows” 2022, the Hollywood Fringe Scholarship 2022 and Victoria Fringe “Pick of Fringe – Best Physical Theatre 2022”. “A master comic storyteller… non-stop hilarity" Inger Tudor, Stage Raw Natasha has worked as a producer and director on both coasts. For 5+ years, she has professionally produced events for the Upright Citizens Brigade to bring customized comedy programs to groups across the country including improv, sketch, storytelling, and public speaking intensives. These workshops focus on creating an inclusive environment to help people get out of their comfort zones and reach a higher place of understanding with others while having fun. ​She has virtually taught adults and children at Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre along with a workshop called “Playful Mindfulness” sponsored by the National Alzheimer’s Association to implement improv into the world of caregiving. In 2020, she was named an “Emerging Content Creator” by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. She also leads private and group clown workshops for people interested in exploring techniques that implement vulnerability, physicality, emotion, and other tools to give their performance a unique edge. Follow Natasha on social - @champagnetashi

Chad Damiani

CHAD DAMIANI is a pioneer of LA’s contemporary clown scene. His journey began over 25 years ago as an announcer for World Championship Wrestling – where he learned from the greatest physical storytellers in the world. He has studied with some of clown and improv’s best instructors, was a founding member of The Murge (an ensemble directed by former Cirque Du Soleil frontman John Gilkey), and has performed over 600 shows with his comedy duo Jetzo, bringing clown work to traditional improv venues. Chad was a featured performer at the Lyric Hyperion, performing weekly with international clown stars like Natalie Palamides and Dr. Brown. Those collaborations have led to a number of clown-inspired TV projects, an appearance on America’s Got Talent, and regular work with the Vegas-based circus powerhouse Spiegelworld. He produces and performs in Clown Zoo – the only outdoor theatrical mask show in Los Angeles (soon-to-be featured at the Elysian, every last Saturday of the month at 8pm). Chad has been teaching for over a decade. During the pandemic, he moved his clown classes online – training over 200 students around the globe. His unique approach to the work reflects his background – with a focus on physical play, audience connection, and giving gravitas to your dumbest and most joyful impulses. Follow Chad on social: @thechaddamiani

Natasha Mercado