Fields of Play: Ozarks 2026 with Jef Johnson
August 3 - 8, 2026
Following in the tradition of his Fields of Play, living retreat experiences from the countryside of Gracefield, Quebec and Gesundheit! Institute, Jef Johnson continues to unite people from near and far to explore and rediscover the magic of connection.
Come join us as we enjoy incredible nature, good food, good company, and amazing moments of shared humanity in the unique setting of the Missouri Ozarks.
The Experience
Participants will arrive on August 3rd and settle into accommodations at the property. We will have introductions and spend the evening together with course facilitators Jef Johnson, Darren Wynne, and Kashena Northrip.
The property sits on a beautiful site, rich with forest and natural flora, next to the Lindenlure dam on the beautiful Finley River. While internet service is available on site, we will share this opportunity to escape from the noise and constant bombardment from wireless technology.
Over the course of the retreat, participants will engage in a range of dynamics and activities, both in workshop sessions and exploration of the natural world, to stimulate creative awakening and deeper connection.
RECONNECT with the deeper consciousness of self and world. AWAKEN your imagination, empathy, and memory through physical and emotional connection, discovery, creative association, play, and stupid genius.
This work is rooted in the pedagogic practice of renowned clown-philosopher Jef Johnson.
This is not comic actor training. This work has at its core the examination of identity, connection, empathy, discovery, wonderment, creative association, and the potential of the creative process to inspire and to heal.
This is a unique opportunity to reconnect, to rediscover the creative self, to recover the inner voice yearning to play, to sing, to dance, to touch, transmit and transform.
Themes
- Clown State and Play
- The Natural World
- Connection
- The Space Between
- Empathy
- Frequency
- Identity: Self v Ego
- Social Ego: Overcoming Social Fears
- Body-Space-Time
- Dream Door: Between Light and Shadow
- Parallel Mind
- Actor v Player
- The Unspeakable
- The Big Mystery
- Universal Consciousness
- The Entanglement
Who Is Leading The Workshops?
This work is rooted in the pedagogic practice of renowned clown-philosopher Jef Johnson.
WHO IS JEF JOHNSON?
Performer, Director, Humanitarian and Pedagogue, Jef Johnson is considered a leader in the field of performance practice and contemporary clown. His research and practice are based in empathy, naive experience, creative consciousness, “the emerging game,” patterned behavior and social identity.
A principal artist (2005-2009) in the company of Slava’s Snowshow, (Off Broadway, Broadway and International Tours). Jef has also worked with Cirque du Soleil as clown animator, special artistic consultant and workshop director. Founding director of Jef Johnson's Clown Lab in New York City, master faculty member at Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona, Spain. He has also served as member of the organizing faculty of Évora Auguste Studio, Montreal, and he is a contributor to Über den Clown, along with Dimitri, Popov, Leo Bassi, Gardi Hutter, Pierre Byland.
In addition to leading his Fields of Play and Between Dreams retreats at Gesundheit! Institute in 2024 and 2025, Jef has conducted over 500 master classes and workshops worldwide. His workshops have been commissioned by many universities and companies, including: Cirque du Soleil, Slava’s Snowshow, The Commedia School (Denmark), The Red Nose Academy (Denmark), Camp Broadway (USA), The Texas Renaissance Festival, National College of Art and Design (Ireland) Scuola di Teatro Dimitri (Switzerland), Atelier Teatro Fisico Philip Radice (Italy), American Circus (Chile), KICS International School in Khartoum (Sudan), International Theater Festival for Youth (Egypt), University of Salford (England), International Clown School at Pim Theater (Portugal).
In USA: University of Arkansas, University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Wesleyan University, New York University, CUNY, SUNY, and in Mexico: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Centro Nacional de las Artes (CENART), Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM), TEC Monterrey, Universidad de Quintana Roo (UQROO), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG), among others.
His workshops have been supported by grants from the embassies of the USA and Spain, and many national and state departments of cultural interests.
His works include: SENTIDO, OPEN SPACE, AZAR, SOGNO AL SILENZIO DEL PIANO, SOGNO A LUME DI CANDELA, SÓTÃO, MANANTIAL, WHITE NOISE, O-RÀN-GÉ, ANDA Y ONDA (with Diana Gadish Bonas), SENCILLO, PINCHE SHOW.
His books include "The Gold-Plated Guru" series and "Flowers in the Sun".
Who is invited?
You are! No prior background is required, just concern for the welfare of others and willingness to try things out.
Recommended for:
- Humanitarian Clowns,
- Clown Performers,
- Actors,
- Artists,
- Educators,
- Writers,
- Healers,
- The Curious, and
- Everyone who seeks to better understand the healing force of connection and compassion.
MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 years
LANGUAGES: English, with the possibility of Spanish translation.
General Information
- Enrollment
-
Early Bird Discount $1300
- $500 non-refundable deposit
- Pay in full by May 1st, 2026
- $500 non-refundable deposit
- Pay in full by July 1st, 2026
- Pay what you wish!
- Support Jef's work and future clown arts in the Ozarks!
- You name your price, starting at $1500.
- Includes
-
- Transportation from and to the Springfield/Brandon National Airport (SGF)
- Accommodation/Lodging
- 3 Meals each day
- Scheduled Workshop Sessions and other activities
- 5 days of combined in-studio and outdoors workshop
- Free time each day for personal choice activities
- Where?
- The program takes place at Sandi's House along the beautiful Finley River in Rogersville, Missouri.
- Meeting Spaces
- There are many unique rooms and places, indoors and out, for meditation or study and a large studio space to house workshops and classes.
- Accommodations
-
Accommodation are in dormitory-style group settings.
Each room is different and arrangements will be handled on a first-come-first-served bases.
Please let us know your preferences on the intake form. Space is limited but we will do our very best to work with you.
We offer very slow wi-fi (sorry!).
Clean sheets and towels will be provided.
There are laundry machines on the premises that you can use.
- Travel
-
Please meet us at the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) in Springfield, Missouri and arrive by the early evening of August 3rd.
You can plan to leave on August 8th.
Facilitators will shuttle people to and from the airport in Springfield on Monday, August 3rd and Saturday, August 8th only.
For other arrangements the facilitators will work with you to get you to the property.
How do I apply?
2026 REGISTRATION is now OPEN!
Space for this course is limited. We register participants on a first come first serve basis and courses are known to fill up quickly.
If you would like to participate here’s how:
Registration consists of 2 parts.
- Registration form: Click the big, red "Register Now" button below and take a moment to fill out the registration form and make your payment by Credit Card or Bank Transfer. We are only accepting 20 participants and we suggest you submit your application as soon as possible to guarantee your spot. Be prepared to pay at least your $500 deposit to confirm your participation.
- Please send your final payment by July 1st (or by May 1st for the Early Bird discount) to confirm your participation to workshops in August.
Questions?
Please Contact: Darren Wynne or Kashena Northrip at thefoolsgladly@gmail.com .