Testimonial Highlights for Kelly Nesbitt
Performer • Producer • Clown • Collaborator
Kelly Nesbitt is a rare blend of fearless performer, meticulous producer, and deeply generous collaborator. As noted by Nicole Lane (Artists Rep & Fertile Ground Festival), Kelly is “a creative powerhouse,” delivering far beyond expectations in marketing, community partnerships, and production execution.
Audience members and critics alike describe her performances as unforgettable, genre-defying, and emotionally resonant. One audience member shared, “I came into the show shy but left changed… it was an honest emotional experience.” Whether leading a comedic Lamaze class parody or orchestrating sound gags with bold absurdity, Kelly’s work surprises and transforms.
Mentors like Giovanni Fusetti and Avner Eisenberg praise Kelly’s raw presence, vulnerability, and commitment to the poetic essence of clowning. Fusetti writes, “She brings her deep humanity into the work, both on stage and off. Kelly is a ‘heartist’ - a rare, rare find.” Amanda Huotari calls her “a gusty and passionate performer with a wild imagination,” while Eli Nixon says she’s “a miraculous combination of brave and vulnerable, strong and open, deep and playful.”
From her grassroots productions in Maine to international clown festivals in the Pyrenees, Kelly consistently draws people in with her warmth, humor, and soul-level connection. Her collaborators describe her as easy, flexible, and instinctively supportive - a performer who builds community wherever she goes.
RED NOSE CLOWN WORKSHOP REVIEWS
I am not a clown person; I don’t even like wearing masks, never mind a red nose. But what a total treat that class was! Not only was it incredibly fun, but I also learned valuable things about truly observing people, about granting eye contact, even about breathing. Kelly tied it all together - instruction, getting us moving, getting us to Play-with-a-capital-P. The day before, I’d been in PT for a tense back; by the end of this class, I’d forgotten I’d ever had tension! - Barbara Brown, 72 years old
My name is Susan Evans and I am 79 years old. I attended the red nose clown workshop at the center for positive aging with Kelly Nesbitt. I have not had such a fun and informative experience in many years. Also attending the workshop were members of my group called zany bits. The workshop brought us closer and taught us great skills for the street theater that we do. - Susan Evans, 79 years old
Thank you so much for your wonderful workshop. I went home with an amazing sense of connection with all of us that participated in your workshop. Particularly valuable was the part of the exercises where we were directed to make eye contact. Our group has been working together for a couple of years now and working with you took us to a new level. Connection! To stand alone looking at the others in the group one by one provided the opportunity for us to both give and receive simultaneously a nonverbal communication. Oddly enough, it was very comforting. The energy was different from those one-to-one looking into someone's eyes exercises that seem to have me always squirming inside. - Claire Stock, 75 years old, Member, Zany Bits
