[tim]

Well, what do you mean by a "circus?" If you're talking about joining a traveling show, then yeah you'd probably have to stay with them full time. And, further, recognize that there isn't much in the way of clown alleys on these shows anymore, anyway. Except for Ringling, most shows are maybe one clown. Two or three at most. And the better shows are relying upon star power of experienced clowns rather than giving any newbies that much of an opportunity to get started out.

Now, if perhaps you were willing to find some sort of more locally oriented effort which perhaps plays school gyms and such on a basis of bookings, there might be an opportunity to split the difference somehow.

I guess the larger questions would be, "Why do you want to do circus?" "What else do you do professionally which may or may not conflict?" "How much are you willing to put into this in order to become a quality clown?"