Clown Sex Ed is a hilarious romp through the challenges, the failures and the horror stories of American sex education. Tara Demmy and Zachary Chiero poke fun at your gym teacher, your health class and your parents' awkward talk and examine not only what they said but more importantly what they left out.

This show is a part of Merely Players Studio Series

"Perfection, in the literal sense of the word" - Philly Life and Culture

"Demmy and Chiero nail it" -Philadelphia Inquirer

"Makes the uncomfortable uproariously funny" -Broad Street Review

"I didn't anticipate that I would cry" - Philadelphia Weekly

What can clowns teach us about sex? Zachary Chiero and Tara Demmy tackle this question in their production of Clown Sex Ed. The show simultaneously displays the limitations of existing models of sex education (as offered by schools, religious institutions, parents) while offering a more inclusive, joy-based sex ed. The show prioritizes an understanding of pleasure, intimacy and sensuality through the style of the theatrical red-nose clown.

In the creation of the show, Zach and Tara worked with a local sex educator, utilized resources provided by Planned Parenthood and Advocates for Youth's 3Rs curriculum, and the performer's own experiences navigating sex and intimacy.

Clown Sex Ed uses clowning to dismantle dominant systems of education, calling into practice a joyful and accessible form of pleasure-based sex education.

Clown Sex Ed contains explicit discussions about sex and sexuality, conservative religious relationships to sex, and all of the cringey, uncomfortable things you learned in health class. While there is no coarse language or cursing, there are plain language descriptions of sexual acts. This show was created to give our audiences a chance to laugh at and process any number of traumatic sex education experiences they have had. While we recommend the show for ages 18 and up, younger audience members are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult. We hope Clown Sex Ed serves as the perfect jumping off point for that conversation you've been wanting to have with your partner, family member or friend!