zoom_in Click to enlarge

David Shiner

▲ ▼

description David Shiner Overview

David Shiner is an American clown, mime, actor, and theater director known for physical comedy and audience interaction. He gained broad stage recognition as a featured performer with Cirque du Soleil and later co-created and performed in Fool Moon with Bill Irwin, a largely wordless Broadway production combining clowning, mime, and music. His work is aimed at theater audiences and draws on European-style clown traditions as well as American vaudeville.

help David Shiner FAQ

What Cirque du Soleil shows has David Shiner performed in?

David Shiner gained broad stage recognition as a featured performer with Cirque du Soleil, notably appearing in the production 'KOOZA.' He played the mischievous trickster character in the show. He later returned to the company to work as a director for other productions.

Did David Shiner create the theatrical show Fool Moon?

Yes, David Shiner co-created and performed in the largely wordless stage show 'Fool Moon.' The production, which he created alongside fellow clown Bill Irwin and The Smothers Brothers, was a massive hit. It ran both on Broadway and internationally, showcasing their unique physical comedy.

What is David Shiner's specific style of comedy and performance?

David Shiner is best known for his expressive physical comedy, mime techniques, and heavy reliance on audience interaction. His routines often break the fourth wall, pulling unsuspecting spectators directly into the comedic narrative. He performs primarily without words, using exaggerated body language to tell stories.

Has David Shiner ever won a Tony Award for his work on Broadway?

Yes, David Shiner received a Special Tony Award for his work co-creating and performing in the Broadway production of 'Fool Moon' in 1999. The award recognized the unique theatrical achievement of the show's innovative clowning. His contributions helped legitimize modern physical comedy on the Broadway stage.