Dr. Clown School – The Path to Professional Healthcare Clowning
The Dr.Klauns School is a specialised training and selection programme where we prepare professional doctor clowns to work with children and seniors in hospitals and care facilities across Latvia.
The programme offers an opportunity to learn the foundations of performing arts, psychology and communication skills in order to bring joy and emotional support to those who need it most.
Applications are currently closed.
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Programme description
“Dr. Klauns” is a medical clowning programme; similar programmes exist in more than 30 countries worldwide. The main idea of the programme is to provide support to children and their loved ones to overcome psychological stress during their time in hospital, during rehabilitation and procedures, as well as to reduce the stress associated with medical treatment and prolonged hospitalisation.
The “Dr. Klauns” programme is based on the principles of collaboration and development – each Doctor Clown helps children in hospital, while also having the opportunity to grow professionally, acquire and develop new skills and competencies in the field of medical clowning.
The aim of the selection process is to form a group of participants who, after completing several serious training and practical stages, will be prepared for regular Doctor Clown work in children’s wards of various hospitals – in Riga, Ventspils, Liepāja, Valmiera, Cēsis, Daugavpils and Rēzekne.
Who we are looking for
- creative, artistic, communicative, ready to learn and grow
- who enjoy and are able to connect with children and teenagers
- responsible, willing to commit to regular long-term participation in the programme
- who understand the specifics of hospital work and are psychologically prepared for potential challenges
- who are at least 18 years old (no upper age limit!)
What awaits participants
Selection
- round – reviewing application forms and videos and inviting participants to interviews;
- round – interviews (we will agree on the exact time with those participants who advance to round 2);
- round – group sessions for assessing creative potential and psychological readiness;
- round – forming the group. After reviewing all applications and conducting interviews, the association “Dr. Klauns” will select the people who will be admitted to the Doctor Clown School.
Training programme
All selected participants take part in the basic training programme before working in hospitals: theoretical and practical sessions in medical clowning and acting, sessions on working in hospitals, child psychology and other topics; these are led by invited specialists from Latvia and abroad. The programme consists of several modules (every other weekend).
Planned training dates in 2026 (in person, in Riga):
26–27 September
10–11 October
7–8 November
21–22 November
5–6 December
Training dates for 2027 will be announced to school participants at the start of the training programme.
Practice
All future Doctor Clowns must complete a practical placement in hospitals. During the placement, participants try out the role of Doctor Clown in children’s wards of various hospitals alongside experienced Doctor Clowns. At the end, a final assessment of readiness for regular work takes place.
Regular work
Upon completion of the program, every new Dr. Clown who has successfully completed the training and internship program begins regular work in pediatric wards in hospitals that partner with the association “Dr. Klauns”.
NB! Please pay attention to the dates of the selection rounds and training sessions!
Participation conditions
How to apply to the Doctor Clown School
- Fill in the application form.
- Record and submit a video:
- record a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) in which you tell us about yourself and your motivation for joining the Doctor Clowns;
- upload the video to Google Drive (setting: “Anyone with the link”);
- paste the video link into the designated field in the form.
What we expect from you
- each participant signs a Participation Agreement;
- participation fee of €200 for the entire training programme;
- active and regular participation in training (allowed to miss no more than 10% of sessions);
- after training and placement – long-term participation in the programme;
- regular work in hospital children’s wards – at least once a week.
What we offer
- the “Dr. Klauns” training programme led by local and international specialists;
- a fee for hours worked in hospital (after completing the school, from July 2027);
- basic work equipment and materials;
- regular psychological support;
- personal development, seminars and masterclasses (in Latvia and abroad).
Do you see yourself as one of the Doctor Clowns?
If everything mentioned above has caught your interest – fill in the application form!
Application deadline:
17 July 2026 (23:59)