What does it mean to make people laugh in a place where laughter feels impossible? Join Naomi Shafer and Paúl Gomex for an evening of reflection about their years performing with Clowns Without Borders in refugee camps, disaster zones, and communities affected by conflict around the world.

Through personal stories, video, and conversation, Naomi and Paúl will share what happens when circus enters places marked by displacement and crisis—and what they learned about humor, human connection, resilience, and the complicated role of an artist in these environments.The evening will include a screening of Paúl Gomex’s film, The Beginning of an Adventure, documenting the early days of this extraordinary journey.

Paúl Gomex

Paúl Gomex is the founder of 406Cirque, Bozeman's Center for Circus and Performing Arts. Born and raised in Venezuela, he trained in physical theater, contemporary dance, and music across Europe, earning an MA in Physical Theater from Switzerland's Accademia Dimitri and founding the Swiss chapter of Clowns Without Borders, an organization that uses the performing arts as a vehicle for building resilience in communities recovering from the trauma of natural or human-made catastrophes around the world.

Naomi Shafer

Naomi Shafer is a performer, educator, and arts leader dedicated to building inclusive, sustainable creative spaces. With a background in circus, theater, and movement-based performance, she brings both artistic and organizational vision to 406Cirque.

Naomi has performed internationally, including work in refugee camps and conflict zones, experiences that continue to shape her belief in performance as a civic practice.

As Executive Director, she oversees programming, operations, and community partnerships, ensuring that 406Cirque remains accessible, artist-centered, and deeply connected to the community it serves. She is a graduate of the San Francisco Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory and holds an Aerial Teacher Certification from Nimble Arts.