Drama teacher Sherilyn Hellier held a workshop on clowning, at which 18 primary schoolchildren learned some of the essential skills required to be a clown.
First up were basic miming skills - "because that's what clowns are really into" - and an imaginary tug of war was held.
The children also had to pretend they were trapped in a box to demonstrate their new skills.
Next was juggling and a clown-suit attired Mrs Hellier handed out plastic grocery bags for the children to throw in the air and catch.
It required plenty of practice to get co-ordinated, she said.
Workshops were fun and the children particularly enjoyed learning about slapstick comic theatre - "pies in the face and things like that".
Teaching clown workshops was extremely physical so Mrs Hellier, who opened a drama school in North Otago in October, did not hold them too often.
Another workshop will be held today with a pirate theme and she will be ditching her rainbow-coloured wig in favour of a skull and crossbones.
