Instructors

ALBERT ALTER Actor, physical comedian, clown, mime, fire eater, funny guy, Professional Fool Albert Alter has toured internationally performing and teaching physical comedy, clown and mime in the United States, Japan, Canada, Cambodia, Cuba and Vietnam. He toured as a clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and helped set up and served as the assistant director of the first Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College Japan in Tokyo, Japan. He has opened for the Smothers Brothers, and has performed in concert with the Oregon Symphony as a clown, mime, physical comedian and holiday elf. He also has performed in concert with the Washington-Idaho Symphony, Oregon Repertory Singers and in films and on television. In addition to his many characters he performs, Albert has created numerous unique characters for corporate and nonprofit clients. In addition to his solo clown and mime shows, he also tours other shows with partners. Two of the shows are "The BoZoArtZ Duo" a comic song recital, and "LeRoi-Nickel Piano Duo" a four-hand piano team combining mime and classical music for the whole family. He was honored by Young Audiences of Oregon and Southwest Washington with the Sun Burst Award for his commitment to arts in education. He serves on the national board of Clowns of America International, Inc. and is the vice-president for the Northwest Region. Albert works as an Artist-In-Healthcare at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, doing “clown rounds” clowning room to room. As preparation for all the above he has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. When he grows up he hopes to run for political office so that finally there will be a professional clown in government. Albert lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Susan, and a room full or "treasures" and clown props his wife calls "JUNK"!

MARY PAT McCOY with 27 years of performing and formal training in Theatre Arts/Dance, Mary Pat will continue to study and perform in character roles until "she drops dead." Mary Pat studied dance in New York City and performed five years with Mobius Stageworks, a multi-media dance-theatre company based in California. Since 1991, she’s been a professional clown, known as “Lucky," performing at celebrations for kids of all ages. Her newest passion has been performing team improvisation with Comedy Sportz-Portland. She also performs with the Screaming Mee Mee's, who do fully improvised rock operas and musicals. The Mee Mee's have performed at the New Orleans, Seattle and Chicago improv festivals.

www.merrily-go-round.com

MERRILY SCHULTZ has been clowning for over 10 years keeping very busy at various events throughout the northwest. Merrily has taken the art of face painting into an exciting level by incorporating abstract art as part of her designs, making her a favorite at the Clark County Fair and various festivals, fairs, and corporate events. In addition to her strolling comedy act, Merrily also performs on stage in vaudeville revues. Most recently she has appeared at the Silverton Follies in Silverton, Oregon, the Bend Centennials Celebration Vaudeville show in Bend, Oregon, the Blue Parrot Theater Vaudeville Show in Washougal, Washington, and "The Funniest Show on Earth" in Oak Harbor, Washington, featuring Leon "Buttons" McBryde. Merrily has been part of the staff of the Comedifest for five years. She has served in several capacities from Public Relations in 2003, to assistant director in 2004, and the Comedifest Intensive in 2005. She served as director of the Comedifest in 2006. Merrily is also a Hypnotherapist, who specializes in helping people to stop smoking, lose weight and release stress, through hypnosis.

www.ocomedy.com

ANGEL OCASIO Founder and Director of Comedifest, has made a name for himself over the past 25 years as a top physical comedian and clown in the Pacific Northwest. Angel performs and teaches comedy & clowning skills throughout the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico & Malaysia. Angel also produces, directs and writes for variety, vaudeville & USO style shows. Angel has appeared on a Disney-NBC made for television movie "A Gift To My Daughter." As a strolling act, Angel has entertained the audiences for such top performers as Willie Nelson, James Taylor and John Mayer. On stage Angel was the opening act for Wayne Newton and Patrick Lamb. Angel was also the featured clown for the "Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus" and entertained at a V.I.P. Cirque du Soleil premiere party for performers & guests in Portland, OR. Angel was selected as the “2003 Clown of the Year” for Clowns of America International.

AL BRYANT aka as Boomer an award winning clown. He teaches a variety of clowning skills on a beginning and an advanced level. Over the last 20 years, Al has performed numerous times with the "Shrine Circus." Al is a master at the art of balloon sculpture which together with his comedy timing makes him one of the favorites at the Comedifest and The Northwest Festival of Clowns.

BEVE BRYANT began clowning in 1958 but didn't start applying clown make-up until 1999. Originally she wanted some clown training for a mascot for her temporary employment business in Boise, Idaho. Boomer was contacted to do the training. Beve was intrigued by the prospect of being a clown and contacted Boomer once again about training. It was coincidental that he was just beginning some classes for hospital clowns in Boise, Idaho. Beve signed up and soon after "SnickleFritz" was born. A business partnership (FunHouse Productions) was formed between Boomer and SnickleFritz in 2000. They were married in August of 2002.