Mastering the Art of Clowning

Rock a Vibrant Wig. Many clowns opt for wigs to enhance their look. Ensure a perfect fit by trying it on beforehand. The spectrum of colors in clown wigs adds to their charm.

Sport a Colorful, Funky Shirt with Oversized Buttons. Choose attire that reflects your personality, matches your ensemble, and exudes eccentricity. Feel free to layer with a bold jacket or blazer. Find your outfit at a costume store or thrift shop.

Opt for Baggy Pants or Overalls. Clowns often flaunt vibrant hues and playful prints, favoring primary colors. Ensure your pants complement your overall look. Purchase them from a costume store, or even consider using pajama pants!

Select a Bow Tie or Classic Tie in Bold Colors. When it comes to clown attire, the motto is 'the louder, the better.' Oversized ties are a hit among clowns, adding to their already exaggerated outfits.

Sport Funky Socks. Any pattern works as long as it complements your outfit. If you want to showcase your socks, tuck your pants into them for maximum visibility.

Don Giant Shoes. Clowns typically sport enormous, glossy footwear in eye-catching colors. Find a pair at your local costume shop to complete your look.

• Don a Classic Red Clown Nose.

Allocate 30 to 45 minutes for makeup application. Organize your supplies, including a thick white cream base, red and black face paint, and colors for your specific designs. Ensure you have both thick and thin makeup brushes, along with a sponge.

Cleanse your face thoroughly. Remove any existing makeup and moisturize with a light cream.

Apply a thick, even coat of white base to your face. Utilize both sponge and brush, covering eyebrows and extending to the neck and ears. Use a headband to keep hair away from your face.

Enhance your eyebrows with black face paint. Draw them slightly above your natural brows, outlining and filling them in to create larger, more expressive shapes. Aim for a happier appearance.

Color your lips red, accentuating their shape. Outline with black before applying red paint, exaggerating the size and shape for a cheerful or sorrowful expression.

Personalize with Your Own Touches. Every clown has a unique style. Browse clown images for inspiration and select makeup details that resonate with you. Consider options like:

• Painted triangles around the eyes, outlined in black with a dot at the tip
• Red circular cheeks
• Dramatic eyeshadow extending to the brow
• Brightly colored freckles
• Artificial tears

Craft Your Clown Persona. Develop a character for your clown. Determine its personality—whether outgoing, reserved, or comical. Tailor your performance style accordingly. Ensure your clown persona stands out. Many clowns improvise during performances, so hone your improvisational skills as you refine your character.

Choose a Name for Your Clown Persona. Many clowns adopt stage names, often ending in “o,” such as “Bozo” or “Cheeko.” Select your name thoughtfully, as it will represent you professionally for gigs and engagements.

Gather Clown Props. Clowns are equipped with an array of props, from balloon animals to sleight-of-hand tricks. Consider items such as:

• Balloons and a pump for crafting balloon animals
• Juggling handkerchiefs
• Fake thumb tips
• “Magic change bags” for transforming objects
• Silk scarves
• A special deck of cards for magic tricks

Craft Your Performance. Clowning involves humor and a variety of tricks. Whether it's balloon animals, juggling, magic, mime, or comedy routines, your act is a show. Consider slapstick humor, as laughter is key. Study successful clowns to refine your style.

Perfect Your Tricks. Practice in costume and makeup in front of a mirror. Ensure flawless card tricks and balloon animals so you can focus on performance.

Rehearse with a Small Audience. Invite trusted individuals to critique your act. Seek feedback from fellow clowns too. Treat the rehearsal seriously and ask for specific feedback to improve your performance.

• What parts were amusing?
• What fell flat?
• Which tricks impressed?
• Did the pace lag anywhere?
• What aspects were enjoyable?
• What didn't work?
• Was the duration suitable?
• Did anything seem unpolished?

Enroll in Clown College. Embark on an 8-week journey to hone your clowning skills. Receive professional guidance and assistance with circus auditions upon completion.

Join a Clown Organization. Groups like the World Clown Association support aspiring clowns. Benefit from mentorship, makeup tutorials, and other resources exclusive to members.

Choose Your Clowning Path. Decide between freelancing and joining a circus. Evaluate if you prefer the flexibility of freelancing or the stability and benefits of circus life. Consider the pros and cons:

• Freelancers enjoy flexible schedules but must market themselves extensively. Joining a circus initially can provide experience before transitioning to freelancing.
• Circus performers audition and travel with the circus, receiving health benefits. However, constant travel can be challenging. Circus clowns may perform up to 500 shows a year!

Excel in Essential Clown Skills. Focus on skills in high demand. Mastering these acts ensures customer satisfaction:

• Balloon sculpting
• Classic pranks (like squirting flowers)
• Simple magic tricks (like rabbit from a hat)
• Slapstick comedy
• Juggling
• Basic acrobatics

Promote Yourself. Design business cards with your contact details, clown name, and photo. Highlight your specialties, whether it's birthday parties, magic, or comedy. Create flyers and distribute them in public areas like cafes, eateries, and toy shops.

Offer Free Performances. Volunteer for a friend's child's birthday party. Word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable in this industry. One free gig can lead to multiple paid opportunities. Additionally, consider street performances for exposure and practice, ensuring legality in your area.

• Set up on a street corner, perform, and accept tips. Display business cards for interested spectators.

Seek Referrals from Friends. Networking is crucial for freelancers. Request recommendations from friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Provide them with your business cards to distribute to potential clients.

Determine Your Rate. As your expertise grows, adjust your rate accordingly. Initially, cover your expenses plus a modest fee. Start around $100 per hour, gradually increasing to $500 for experienced clowns.

Enroll in Circus Training. Consider attending circus school to broaden your skills in aerial arts, physical theater, and more. These skills can enhance your performance as a circus clown.

Gain Experience with Freelance Gigs. Before auditioning for the circus, gather experience through smaller gigs like birthday parties or festivals. Hone your body language, timing, improvisation, and special skills such as gymnastics or juggling.

• Circuses seek performers with diverse experiences and skills.

Prepare for Extensive Travel. Joining a circus entails traveling extensively. Inform your family, arrange care for pets, and decide on housing arrangements.

Attend Circus Auditions. Explore job opportunities online at various circuses, including major ones like Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey. Don't overlook smaller circuses. Seek advice from fellow clowns and continue to improve your skills if needed.

• Take classes to enhance your clowning abilities if audition opportunities are limited.

• Experiment with different makeup styles and outfits to diversify your clown persona.
• Promote yourself vigorously to everyone you know. Don't hesitate to be assertive. Exhaust all avenues to establish a successful clowning career.

• When performing in public, exercise caution when approaching unaccompanied children. Some may find clowns intimidating, and parents are often protective of their children's interactions.
• Be mindful that some individuals have a fear of clowns. Refrain from approaching anyone displaying fear or reluctance to engage.