ASSOCIATES

David Pearce
Co-director of Intuitive Way:
"It is a rare and unique individual who commits himself to a life of clowning. Ira is such a person.
He is also one of the most naturally funny people I have ever met. He approaches his craft with a reverence for,
and deep understanding of the tradition to which he belongs and which he continues with his own work. But what is
beautiful about his performances, as far as I am concerned, is that there is always a hint of danger brewing just
under the surface. This is the energy of the 'Scontrary' eager to expose any pretense in our selves and, like an
incorrigible Zen master, slap us back into reality."

Naree Shields
B.A., Teacher of Acting, and Clown

Bruno Lucia
Actor and stand up comedian Bruno has earned his showbiz stripes entertaining audiences internationally,
winning fans in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.A.

Caspar Schjelbred
M.A. History of science; Artistic director of the Improfessionals in Paris

Flloyd Kennedy
Australian actress, singer, director, and voice coach.

Leonie McDonagh: Ponydance Theatre Company
Leonie first worked with Ira in 2008 in Belfast for a month workshop, she then received a Choreographic Development Bursary
from Dance Ireland to engage Ira to work solely with her and her company Ponydance in 2009. That same year they won an
Audience Choice Award at the Pick 'n' Mix Festival, Belfast and were nominated for a Spirit of the Fringe Award at Dublin Fringe Festival.
They have gone to receive several commissions and excellent reviews for their work.

Leonie acknowledges the contribution Ira made to their success:
"Working with Ira was a hugely important experience and education for us
as a company and me as a theatre-maker. He brought us to a new level of
creativity and professionalism, it really was remarkable,
I always try to work with him at every given opportunity,
he has a huge amount to offer every type of performing artist."

Maryke del Castillo & Penny Lowther: Tutti Frutti
Maryke and Penny are two experienced clowns and clown teachers. They have been mentored by Ira for several years
and they tour internationally with their shows.

Robin Davidson
Director of community and professional theatre, clown, actor teacher and writer.

Heleen Van den Bosch
PhD Research Student. Belgium

Darren Gilshenan
I consider Darren Gilshenan as one of the finest Shakespearean clowns of our generation. I had the honor to be one of his
teachers at NIDA. For his year's class I taught the subjects "Clown" and "Acrobatics". His classmates included another
outstanding Shakespeare clown James Wardlaw. James and I worked together in the Bell Shakespeare Company
for 1992. Our most notable scene was he as Launcelot Gobbo and me as Ol' Gobbo - The Merchant of Venice.
I have written about that here. Later Darren joined BSC and became an Associate Director (see full biography below).
Another classmate of Darren and James' who also excelled in "Clown" was the now Hollywood actress Deborah Unger.

Adam Bruin
Primary school classroom teacher.

Jordan Edmeades: Director of StuntFooty
Jordan began a mentorship with Ira for StuntFooty after attending Quantum Clown Residency 2010.

Pablo Zibes
Mime and pantomime artist based in Stuttgart, Germany.