After joining the forum, I decided that if I clown, I want to do it in a circus. I work better if I have other clowns with me, and I've never really been able to see myself doing parties. However, I don't have much of an intrest doing it for a living. I'd like to learn how and to preform, but only in my free time. I've heard that there are people who have other jobs but are parts of circuses, but I don'y know how it could work. I'd like to pursue another career, and clown on the side, but I don't even know if its possible.

To work with a circus you pretty much have to travel with them full time. You can be a shriner and clown with the local groups when the circus comes to town. There are some shriners on here who can tell you more about that. But with most shows, if you are part of the show they need you at each performance.

If you are creative you can creat a show for schools or libraries that would not feel like a birthday party. And you can partner with someone if you do not want to work alone. But you will have to write,produce, and book the show yourself. This is no small task.

You might enjoy working with a clown alley (clown club) if there is one in your area. Then you would be with other clowns and alley tend to perform at non-profit events. That might have the feeling you are looking for. The support of other clowns would be good if you arre new to this.

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?"

Hey Goober, we need to find you an alley. An alley should fill most of your current needs. It takes time to develop a strong, well rounded character. Eventually you will be able to perform alone or with a team with equal ease. Even if there is not an alley nearby search out any clowns in your area that take clowning serious and see if you can learn from them.

I'd appreciate finding an alley very much, but I have a lot going on in my life now, and I can't even drive, so there's no rush. I can wait a while before starting to look for one. Is there a good website with lists of clown alleys in the US? I'm looking for one that focuses on younger clowns with little experience, because, sadly, I'm one of those people.

To answer tim's questions:
-I want to do the circus because I like doing gags and skits more than magic tricks and face-painting. Circus seems more interesting, too, and I want to experience it, at least a little.
-As of right now, I am unemployed, but my studies take up a huge part of my life and I am planning on getting a part-time job as soon as I can.
-To become a clown, I will sacrifice to an extent. I want to learn, but with college looming closer and closer, I may not be able to learn as much as I want too.

Where in MA are you and how old are you?

What I'm thinking is that there may be some sort of circus arts program somewhere in your area that you might be able to get involved with on a more limited basis. Such could provide an outlet for your interest and an opportunity to meet like minded people while starting to learn and practice this kind of thing.

The alley route for clowns would also be a good option for your area of interest in skits and gags.

I live relitively close to Boston (about a 25 minute drive away), and am 15 years old. Like I said before, I'm just looking, so any suggestions at all would be very helpful.

Alright. I'll ask around of some of my circus fan friends for information regarding what might be available in or around Boston for youth circus. In the interim, why don't you check out this site:

Circus 4 Youth (http://www.circus4youth.org/)

Hey Tim, could you maybe ask around for northern WI too.

Hey Bookworm,

Are you anywhere near Eau Claire? I just attended a clown-type class at our local children's theatre. They called it circus arts, but it was basically an introduction to juggling class. Maybe you could check into classes like that in your area.

it's a 3 hour drive for me. I'm almost in the UP.

I think he means have you thought about checking with locals schools and colleges to see if they have any classes on improv, juggling, clowning. Many times for the "continuing education" crowd they will offer these types of classes.

I have and nothing.

Well, if you can't find any classes, perhaps you can teach yourself some skills. I've learned almost all my face-painting and balloon twisting skills from materials that I've checked out from the library. Our library is part of a larger consortium, maybe yours is too.

I am in the miidle of nowhere. I have checked our library and nada:(

Well, what do you mean by a "circus?"

We've got three kids; I think that counts.

If your library is part of a consortium, you can request books from other libraries. Even if your library isn't linked with any others, they will sometimes borrow a book from another library.

If you talk personally to a librarian, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help you. That's their job!

Where, roughly, in Northern, WI?

I'm an hour and 15 minutes north of Wasau or about 2-2.5 hours north of Green Bay.

Alright, just for starters, in Somervile, MA there is Openair Circus which offers classes:

OPENAIR Circus: Classes (http://www.openaircircus.org/classes.html)

And Simply Circus in Newton, MA:

Simply Circus Community (http://community.simplycircus.com/)

Of course, Circus Smirkus is in Vermont.

This may also prove a bit helpful:

Search Results. (http://www.americanyouthcircus.org/cgi-bin/db.cgi?db=aycocfg&uid=default&sb=1&onweb=y&category=Circus&subcircus=&state=MA&view_records=Search)

The American Youth Circus site, in general, could offer guidance.

I'm still searching for other stuff and asking around. Hope to come up with more.

Bookworm, your request may be a little harder to fill due to the remoteness of your location. But there are certainly a lot of circus endeavors in Wisconsin. So, fear not, I'm determined to find you something.

Still, if you can at all get down into the Madison or Baraboo area (even just occasionally like for a summer camp), that is probably going to be your best opportunity.

Here is one group which is in that area:

MMAC ~ Home (http://www.mazomac.com/)

If cross state is at all of an option, there is Juventas in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area.

The Midwest Clowning Association convention is in October this year in Occonomawac (sp?) and they have a really good Junior Joey program, so I'd encourage you to attend that, if possible, too.

Hey Goober,

I don't know what size town you live in, but there might be room for you in a Safety Clown type show. Stage shows are about all we do and the possibilities for different and 'funny' shows are endless. Some fire departments restrict their 'clown' staff to fire fighters, however I do know some volunteers who're just as, if not more, active than the full time guys. This might not be the 'part time' gig you're looking for but it's still alot of fun and great experience.

Alright you (young) clowns!

A friend of mine from the Circus Fans of America Association (CFA) has offerred to put you two in touch with the Circus 4 Youth committee as well as any youth circuses in your respective areas. So if you'd be willing to message me your names with some sort of contact information (ie. email and/or mailing address) and at least the city/town where you reside, I'd be happy to pass it along to those who have expertise in this area and could potentially provide some more specific assistance/guidance/information about what is available from the youth circus programs which may give you an opportunity at developing and presenting your clown characters/skills.

I almost wish I was young enough to take advantage of this offer.

I say almost because I wouldn't want to relive all those years again.

I almost wish I was young enough to take advantage of this offer.

I say almost because I wouldn't want to relive all those years again.

Interestingly enough, quite often what "Social Circus" (as much youth circus is) aims at assisting with is precisely to help kids through any difficult times/circumstances in their environment and "growing up" experience, simply by using circus skills training and performance as a positive outlet for human development.

In that case, can I go back and start at age 4?

To be honest I prefer the idea of circus clowning to any other type, but I too would rather do it as a 'spare time' thing mainly because my fiance would never let me abandon a 'real job' (as he puts it) for clowning....
I have discussed with him years ago the idea of me taking on clowning full time but he isn't really for that.

I think the only hassle with part time clowning is you wouldnt be able to travel with the circus thus they would eventually have to find someone else to fill in when you were at work or too far away to get there etc.