VARIETY COMEDY SHOW
Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show is a
one-woman comedy circus act
16 | Umatilla County Fair 2019
Heather Pearl, aka Mz. Pearl,
said she specializes in physical
and slapstick comedy and circus
tricks like juggling, stilt walking,
acrobatics and a lot of audience
participation.
For the past 15 years, Pearl has
entertained small and large au-
diences at county fairs, festivals,
corporate events and libraries.
She trained in physical theatre and
clown at Dell’Arte International
School of Physical Theatre in
“It’s pure fun,” Pearl said.
Blue Lake, California, and at the
One of her bits is a Tango fan San Francisco School of Circus
dance, which is more comedy Arts.
than Tango, Pearl said. She mixes
in Chinese yo-yo tricks and bal- Pearl said she performs year-
ancing on the big circus ball while round, but more in the summer
teaching participants how to spin months. During the school year
she is the movement education
ribbons and plates on a stick.
teacher at the Cedarwood Waldorf
“Often, kids hang out and practice School.
their new skills long after the per-
Teaching and performing, Pearl
formance is over,” Pearl said.
said, makes a nice balance as she
Beyond her scheduled appear- raises her twin 9-year old daugh-
ances on stage at the fair, Pearl ters who help run the sound equip-
said she’s taking her circus tricks ment and occasionally show off
and physical comedy to the their own circus skills.
Umatilla County Fair day camp.
“Kids in the audience love it,”
“I think it’s fantastic there’s a Pearl said. “It’s awe inspiring for
camp right at the fair,” Pearl said. them to see other kids perform.”
“The kids who go to camp can do
workshops with me and come to
the show during the week.”
East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald