Clowns Like Me is a thought-provoking and heartfelt performance about mental illness and identity. I had the pleasure of asking Scott Ehrenpreis a few questions about the show, his motivation and what's on the horizon for him.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Clowns Like Me? What motivated you to share your personal story through this one-man show?
Being able to share my own story with the world means everything. This show has allowed me the chance to find acceptance in knowing that my mental health struggles do not inhibit nor define me. It is not an end destination for me, but a renaissance and beacon of hope. I strive every day to take the dis out of disability. Performing this show and connecting with our audiences is creating something authentic and deeply empowering. Not just for myself, but for anyone who has ever suffered from mental illness, anyone who has cared for anyone who suffers, or even the greater neurotypical population who just may not understand but want to. In my experience, when we educate through open conversation it creates a space for both better understanding and much needed empathy.
Your performance addresses several mental health challenges, including autism spectrum disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, and depression. How has the audience reacted to these deeply personal and often stigmatized topics?
The show has given me a newfound lease on life. I did not expect that it would provide such healing and comfort for the audience as much as myself. One person gave me a compliment of a lifetime saying that “I am an ambassador for mental health.” It's like I get the chance to be the audience’s therapist for each performance. While being of service to others I can also be of service to myself.
The stage serves as a sanctuary for you, as described in the show. How has performing Clowns Like Me impacted your own journey with mental illness?
When I am on stage as myself, I feel invincible. All my problems and worries evaporate. The theater is a state of being for me. Having floorboards underneath my feet promotes such a beautiful emotional catharsis. I feel alive, rather than existing. I truly am seen for who I really am. I am compelling, engaging, and full of panache. For that moment in time, I do not feel alone.
What do you hope audiences take away from Clowns Like Me? Are there specific messages or feelings you aim to convey through your storytelling?
I would like to be thought of as a messenger of healing and hope. The healing is not just for me, but for the audience as well. It’s still beyond my comprehension to me the impact my one-man show is having on so many people and so many more to come. A lot of people that came to see the show already saw some of themselves in me. They heard their own story to a certain extent. What a beautiful collective experience of commonality.
Do you have any upcoming projects or themes you’d like to explore next?
We look forward to bringing Clowns Like Me to as many audiences as possible. After we wrap our run in New York we plan to tour it and bring as much hope and healing as we can for people around the country
Thank you, Scott, for taking time from your busy schedule. Have a wonderful run!
"Clowns Like Me"
Performed by Scott Ehrenpreis
Written and Directed by Jason Cannon
June 21-August 18th, 2024
The DR2 Theatre (101 East 15th Street, NYC)
Yani Perez, M.F.A, is a poet, playwright, translator, and educator. Her plays have been presented in various theaters in the United States such as La Mama and Yale University as well as internationally in Bogotá, Colombia. She works at IATI Theater, one of the oldest Latinx theaters in NYC. She is currently working on translations of Latinx artists in hopes of introducing them to English-speaking audiences.