Ok I am childish but seeing such an awesome forum without any posts calls me to action! Instead of just being like "FIRST!" again I thought I would ask a question and put up a bulleted list to get things rolling.
How many clowns here have street performed and what was your strategy for getting the audience to stick loot in your hat?
Also, I thought I would post some street performing etiquette for clowns to do with what they will!
- When street performing choose a spot that is just off the main through way of the park, fair etc. Be sure you control a space big enough for your performance and hold on to that space in spite of encroaching picnickers. It helps to be far enough away from the main path so that your audience can come off the main path to watch you.
- If there are vendors (as there are at fairs and markets) be sure that your growing audience does not block off the path to their booth. If your show is encroaching on their business they will be unhappy with you and that can cause a lot of friction. If your audience starts growing and some are watching from the main path or blocking booth entry/path ways gesture them up closer. This will win you a lot of points with the artisans and will allow people to move freely through the grounds without your audience hampering them.
- Do not let children approach you and start playing with your props (unless you ask them to), pulling on your costume or rough housing near you. Not only can the child get hurt but if they start to feel that it is ok for them to yank on your costuming or dig around in your prop box they will continue to disrupt your performance. Be firm but polite to these kids. Use your best judgement in how to talk to them but you must have enough conviction in your voice so that they will cease what they are doing.
- You are not a babysitter. Please do not allow parents to leave their child in front of you as they wander through other parts of the event. It is not fair to you and you should not be expected to look after other's children while doing performances. This happens A LOT.
- Make eye contact with your audience. With as many as possible. Involve them in your performance.
- Leaving a hat out during your show may invite people to drop small change inside it. This is fine if you don't mind the pennies. But if you do this, take out all the coins in your hat before you do your actual passing. No reason to inspire others to drop their linty pennies into your hat too.
- Make eye contact with anyone who puts money in your hat and thank them. Also make sure people are not removing money from your hat.
- If someone is going to put a bunch of change in your hat offer your hand out instead of your hat. Pocket the change quickly. Again, you don't want to inspire others to drop coins in the hat. We aren't looking a gift horse in the mouth but a hat full of change leads to more change in your hat.
- Think of some great lines that are funny to use when passing your hat. One of my favorites is stating: "I also take thank you notes. Take out a 20 dollar bill and write thank you on it!" You can also play this card: "If you can't afford to put money in the hat, please don't worry about it, think of this performance as my gift to you." People like this sort of sentiment and you can feel good about doing the show for everyone's enjoyment, not just those who are willing to pay you for it.
- Most clowns wont have this problem but never sit down on the ground or wear clothes that people might mistake you for a mundane pedestrian or beggar. You want people to be very sure of your identity as a performer. Not only does it help you land tips from people who don't like to give money to beggars but the audience will be sure that you are there to perform.
Have any tips of your own!?