Entertainer, Clown, Writer, Performing Artist
Jon Monastero is an entertainer, clown, writer, performing artist and educator based in Las Vegas, NV.
He has performed with Cirque du Soleil as a clown, both on tour and in special events, since 2011 , currently performing as the White Clown in “O” at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. From March 2014-July 2020 he played the role of Valentino Clown in the Cirque du Soleil international touring show, TOTEM.
He’s been on stage in four productions with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Disney Concert Hall (Holst's The Planets, The Spirit of the Cello and twice in The Composer is Dead) and played the role of Jack Donkey in Summersounds at the Hollywood Bowl.
Other fancy theater credits include playing Harlequin in The School of Night at the Mark Taper Forum (Ticketholder Award for special skills in commedia dell'Arte), the Soldat in L'Histoire du Soldat - a joint production with the San Francisco Ballet and SF Symphony and The Tempest (MWT - Geoffrey Award for Best Supporting Actor in the role of Stephano). He performs with the Troubadour Theatre Company's circus show, The Funky Punks (Falcon Theatre, Levitt Pavilion and La Mirada Performing Arts Center) and has worked with the award winning Four Clowns in Lunatics and Actors.
Jon has appeared in numerous commercials selling stuff to consumers and has multiple film credits, including the cult classic western thriller, Bender.
Jon created Living History in the Classroom and conducted worjshops in US History from 2005-2013. He co-founded Studio Zanni, Los Angeles’s premier commedia dell’Arte troupe featuring appearances at the LA Music Center, Santa Monica Broad Stage, Orange County’s Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts and Pasadena Playhouse. He is a member of the award winning comedy team, TEN WEST (www.tenwest.net) which has garnered critical and audience acclaim across N. America. All of these creations were on the roster of artists for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission's Arts for All, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, and Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center's arts and education programs.
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Jon speaks fluent Italian, loves raccoons, civil war history and performing pratfalls for his children.
Reviews for Disney Concert Hall Toyota Symphonies for Youth performances:
https://allisyar.com/2012/03/15/absurdity-for-all-ages-long-beach-opera-and-la-phils-toyota-symphonies-for-youth/
https://mommypoppins.com/lakids/toyota-symphony-for-youth-review-holst-s-the-planets
Film and TV Reviews:
BENDER (2017)
Link to full movie YouTube Bender and #popcornflix
Cryptic Rock review of film Bender
Hollywood Soapbox Review of BENDER
Article about the historical Bender family
Letterbox review of film Bender
https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/review-bender-depicts-bloody-story-of-murderous-family-in-1870s-kansas/
http://hkfilmnews.blogspot.com/2017/07/bender-dvd-review-by-porfle.html
https://crypticrock.com/bender-movie-review/