I'm thinking about becoming a clown, but I have almost no clue about any of this. All I know is what I've read on this site. The only clowny thing I've done is make a balloon giraffe which is what made me think of this, and it just sounds like so much fun! A big problem is though, I don't think I'm creative enough. O.O I read some in the skits forum and I don't think I'd ever be able to come up with things like that.
About my name, I think I'm going to use my real name, Abigayl. I love my name. It seems like an all purpose name to me. I use it when I play princess and I think it's pretty good for a clown name too. What do you think?

Hi, Abigayl! Welcome to the forum.

You get to choose, which means you can certainly use your real name as
your clown name.

You don't have to do all the creating yourself -- ask friends, family
and there are clown groups around as well (Clown Alleys, they're called).
And the folks on this forum are really helpful as well!

Please feel free to post questions here and I'm sure we can help you
with your character creation!

Ashes

Welcome Abigayl!
Clowning as something that each one of us learned to do. Balloons can be learned, juggling can be learned, applyng makeup can be learned. All it takes is the desire to do it and the perserverance to see it through.
There is nothing wrong with using your own name for your clown name.. In fact most of the great circus clowns didn't have a clown name. You might want to change the spelling, to make it a little easier for a little kid to read it. For instance, Ab-e-gail, or Abby-gail, or Abby-gal (Just and idea).
Coming up with a character is a very hard thing.Sit down and make a list of your own characteristics. Are you shy, boisterious,giggily, or serious? Decide what age you want your clown character to be.Pick a birthday, maybe even write a few sentences about your character. At this point don't give a lot of thought to what your face and costume will look like, concentrate your thought on the basic details of your clowns character.
We are here to help you in any way possible.

Here are a few books that will get you on the right track:
creative clowning by bruce fife
be a clown by turk pipin
how to be a clown by mark soltzenberg
Strutters guide to clown makeup
how to be a compleat clown by toby sanders
The world of Clowns by george bishop( a great read into the mind of clowns)

You should be able to get all of these book through your local library's inter-library loan program. There are two books in here that I reccommend buying. Creative clowning and the strutters book.If you can only get one of them then you should buy Creative clowning, It covers everthing makeup, costume, magic, ventrioquism, puppets, juggling, balloons, comedy writing.
Good luck! remember rome wasn't built in a day. neither is a clown character!

Please jion us for chat on thurdays. The wisdom of our membership will be availible for you to pick their brains!
Scruffy

Welcome to the group. Clowning 's kind of like eating potato chips once you get started it hard to stop.

Welcome Abigayl! Once you make that first child smile or laugh, you'll say why didn't I start this years ago. With all the negativity in the forefront in society nowadays, you being a clown and making people smile, no matter if you just stand there with a happy face, creates a positive feeling in the individuals you touch. By doing so, you are doing good for mankind!

Hope you pick up the nose and paint and go for it! Red Clown Fred - A True American Clown

Abigayl!! you sound like the perfect clown!! you really care about children. It is a process of learning,someone creative like you has the time,you can ask any question here!!

Thanks everyone! All this helped a lot.
I don't think I'm going to use Abigayl, I'll be Ab a Dab which is what my sister calls me. (My sister is afraid of clowns)
I've been practicing balloon animals and they're starting to turn out pretty good. ^_^ (Oh, and my mom is afraid of balloons)
Next I think I'm going to try face painting. (My brother hates having things on his face - every ten seconds "Do I have anything on my face?" lol) Can someone tell me where I can get some inexpensive face paints to practice with?

I looked for some clowning books at the library, Scruffy, but unfortunitely our small town library ins't very good, and niether is the 'big small town' library in the next town. lol I looked it up on thier computer though and they have quite a few of the books you suggested so I'll be requesting them soon.
I thnk Ab A Dab will have my same age and Birthday (15 - February 14)

I have a question about clown makeup. Where do I get it? What's the best kind? What's a good cheap kind for beginners? =P

Thanks!

Ab A Dab, I like it! Try Wal Mart! You may have to ask for assistance, but I have found them there! Good Luck and God be with you!

Ab-A-Dab! Great clown name.

My wife and daughter and I all do _some_ balloons, and after we have
a family practice session, we put them into the trash compactor, and
it's like a string of firecrackers going off!

Clown makeup is going to be different from halloween makeup,
and from face paints.

If there isn't a costume shop close by, I'd look on the Internet and
acquire them from someone like http://www.bubbasikes.com
In fact, I've even called him and talked to him directly and he sent
the makeup products we decided I needed.

He also has a great video on clown makeup application (named Wow...You Look Beautiful Darling) that is a good way to get started.

To start with, I'd only buy small pots of white, blue, red and some black pencils.
As you clown more, and earn $$ or tips, then you can replenish your makeup
with larger containers.

Some folks use pencils for outlines, others (me) use a brush. It depends on
what you get used to.

I suggest you call "Bubba" Sikes and have a chat with him and I don't believe
he'll steer you wrong.

You'll probably need a wig, also. I'd steer clear of the halloween wigs and
buy something from a clown dealer. After you buy it, you'll need to take
it to someone to have it styled - they come long and you can trim them
just like a hair style. Keep it on a wig form and wash it gently occasionally
and it should last you a long time.

Hope this helps some. You may have to enlist your parents help with the
internet shopping part (credit card orders and all) but the beauty of the
internet is you can find just about anything you need from home.

Ashes

I get my make up from Bubba too. He's very helpful, and his Bubba University is good to if you get a chance to go.

Does anyone know where Bubba University is? I have the clowning bug but I want to learn so that I have confidence. I have heard of clowning schools but have yet to find one any where near me. I would travel if necessary. Thanks for any help!!! Tami

i heard Babba is in Fla. what is a good thing to do is try to find a local Clown to teach you many clowns will be happy to do so that is howi started Clowning

Tamara,
Welcometo the forum, One Wolverine to another! I would suggest if you are anywhere near Battle Creek, MI The Clown group i am affiliated;with The Calhuon country Red cross Clown troupe . Will be offering a beginner class in clowning starting Sept. 11th. Sassy (My wife, AKA Sassafrass) and I will be helping with the class. Bubba University we Ain't but, We would love to help get you started!



Take Care!
Scruffy

check out www.clownevents.com, they may have events sched near you. As far as Bubba University, check out his website. www.bubbasikes.com he has his order business, but if you look around you'll find a link to his classed. He travels and does small groups, there has to be a certain number to make it worth it of course. He does live in Florida, but the classes I went to were in NC at a church that hosted him, so check around you never know where he'll be next. Now if you've got the money and willing to travel, [I've never been able to go] but every one talks about how great Mooseburger is. Check it out too.