Small Minded

"Small Minded"

Created by Tyler West

Co-Written and Directed by Cleo DeOrio

When Tyler was a little boy, he wanted to grow to be a clown. Come to find out, for a person with dwarfism, it was a lot harder to achieve the former than the latter.

"Small Minded" is a solo show that explores the intersection of clowning and disability. Tyler was born with achondroplasia. When he began his clown journey, he wore a nose and lots of makeup, but this othered him even more than his dwarfism alone. While other clowns have a mask they can take off, Tyler cannot. Can we separate the laughter on stage from laughter in everyday life? What does it mean to be a dwarf in today's entertainment landscape? This show features juggling, magic, Shakespeare, storytelling, and some “Ha-Ha's” from the heart.

Winner of Staff Pick and the Minnesota Fringe 2026

Ranked a “Must See” by Pioneer Press

The New York Times once described Tyler as "The most exhilarating comic performances I've seen all year." (2022)