Entertainer, Clown, Writer, Performing Artist

Jon Monastero is an entertainer, clown, writer and performing artist based in Asheville, North Carolina.

He has performed as a clown, both on tour and in special events, since 2011 with Cirque du Soleil, most recently playing the role of Valentino Clown in the international touring show, TOTEM (March 2014-March 2020), has been on stage four times 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.

He is on the roster of artists with 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. Jon 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 PlayhouseHe is a member of the award winning comedy team, TEN WEST (www.tenwest.net) which has garnered critical and audience acclaim across N. America. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Jon speaks fluent Italian, loves raccoons, civil war history and performing pratfalls for his daughter, niece and nephew.

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)

YouTube Trailer

Link to full movie YouTube Bender and #popcornflix

IMDB page for movie BENDER

Review of film BENDER

Cryptic Rock review of film Bender

Hollywood Soapbox Review of BENDER

Article about the historical Bender family