I'm sinking ....

RSVP Clown · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 03:31 PM

Help me, help me! I am a 64 yr. old clown wanting to put together some solo clown programs. I want to do Christian clowning in Church, programs on subjects like safety, smoking, drugs and alcohol in schools, programs for pre-schoolers, for reunions, retirements whatever! I cannot afford a lot of books, maybe if used and CHEAP! I know there must be ideas out there which would help. I am not going to come into your territory unless you are in Washington County, Marietta Ohio!
Thanks in advance. As Red Skeleton said: May God Bless .....

Fitzwilly · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 11:25 PM

You have a very wide dream in front of you. A couple of things to think about: 1) Start small. (a) Choose one or two skills to start working on and don't worry about the rest until later. (b) Choose one type of venue to concentrate on first, and "don't worry about the rest until later." 2) Educational and/or charity type events do not need (and often should not be) free. You have plenty of expenses associated with your clowning. Without charging for your services you are undervaluing yourself and your contributions to these events. Not to mention emptying your bank account.
For educational purposes there are many websites with information. First read through the archieves here on the Forum. Second try www.clown-ministry.com and www.webclowns.com both of these have a great deal of information to get you started. Go to the library and read the clown books, the magic books, and joke books. Check to see if there is a local alley. Make friends with other entertainers in your area. check the alley's library to see what is available.

Fitzwilly · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 12:05 AM

Okay, I just read you introduction (nothing like starting backwards is there?) It sounds like you do have a good base to start from you are mainly chaning directions with your clowning. Ralph Dewey has a line of little books that run in the $5 and $6 range that have a lot of good information. www.gospelmagic.com (If that doesn't work Google "Doc Haley magic") not only carry Dewey's books but a number of others in that price range that are useful.

When planning a solo show you have to structure the show a little tighter than you might when working off the cuff with a partner. Your interaction will now come from the audience itself and your props instead of your partner. Think about how you might be able to engage your audience. For example: I wanted my audience to realize I was a fun, slightly "confused" character without taking time away from my show and I also wanted to do something for the audience while I was setting up and getting ready to start. Serendipity struck. I bought an aluminim framed director's chair for the children to sit in when I am face painting them, It just so happens to be just wide enough for my show box to sit on the seat. Now I don't need a table and I don't need to bend over to get in the trunk. As I'm setting up I talk to the audience a little bit and I place something on top of my case. Well withoug looking I open the lid and what ever is on top slides out the back of the chair. I pause confused and then see what fell. I now pick it up and "place" it behind my box while I look inside. The first time it falls on the floor everyone thinks it is an accident, by the third or fourth time plenty of people are laughing talking to me. Now I am ready to begin the show and my audience is already warmed up and ready to participate as my new "partner."

Periwinkle · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 10:42 PM

You can also try your local library for books,tapes etc. on clowning.
Magic, puppets, face painting etc. Also, next May, they will be having Clown Town, in Newark Ohio. I went last year and its very educational and helpful. They have different people to help training, plus a parade in the town on Sat. A few of the very well know clowns always attend, and its not to expensive. I'm in cleveland!!!
"A day without laughter, if a day wasted!"
Terrie Perriwinkle

puglady · #5 (**permalink**) 09-18-2007, 04:29 PM

bubba has a lot of low cost but very good items for clown ministry the potatoe chip can is great pattter is included keep it simple have fun and they will enjoy you and get your message

Fitzwilly · #6 (**permalink**) 09-18-2007, 10:05 PM

If you are looking for a inexpensive convention before next spring, coming up in about two weeks Oct 2-7 is the Midwest Round-Up in Indianapolis. www.midwestclowns.net has all the details.

littleprofessor · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 08:04 PM

Are you looking for solo performance or need some assistance? I was doing a performance at Mcd's one night, and invited the local police to talk about bike safety. It was a big hit! If you want some advice, talk to the experts who know about the subjects (drugs, safty, fire,and health). After all, the government is funding for the education- so take benefit of it. Keep it short, simple and make fun of it!

Fitzwilly · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 09:32 PM

Good advise LP to bad that we haven't heard anything from RSVP lately.

saphireSue · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 10:23 PM

I've pm her. I'm still supposed to email her the 10 commandments, computer problems have stalled me. Hope all went well.

RSVP Clown · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 09:36 AM

Hi-de-ho good neighbors! Sorry been awhile. Had some server problems, we get free service through Marietta College (husband works there) and while it is wonderful, we are at college whims.
I appreciate all the information. I have followed up on the sites mentioned. As for the fire and police depts., we are a small community and every school and even the two deptartments themselves have pretty much saturated teir programs over the area to point of turning kids off. Our police dept no longer offers McGruff (nobody wants to do it).
I haven't found to much for a lone clown. There are nbo magicians in the area that I am aware of. Clowning around here pretty much consista of walking around and handing out balloons or doing simple balloon art and face painting. That soon grows old. I am looking for something different and fresh. I see lots of things out there but with hefty prices (to much for my SS and my husbands little college job).
I am still looking though. I did decide to record the story part of a skit I found which allows me to use the recording and then do the pantomine part. It is a church skit. So I have one so far. That's 5 min. Ha-Ha. I hope to find some chalk talks and perhaps something easy in sign language to music so that my program will not just consist of skit after skit after skit. I think I can type out the suckers on the line and make my phone and find a parishioner and hand her/him the can and the card and then string the cord theough the congregation and then get the parishioner to help me with that one, that might work. I think I can take a picture of JESUS CHRIST and set it draped on an easel and then come out and talk a little about how I got interested in clowning and that it was somebody right there in their own church who finally convinced me to clown for JESUS. Perhaps get them looking around and wondering who it is that got me interested in my craft. Then finally to reveal the picture of JESUS CHRIST. Think that might work, perhaps as an opening. That gets a little about me and why I do what I do out right off the bat. Waht you think? Have to think about the patter.
Talking about how I liked to clown in parades and do picnics and face painting etc. at picnic's etc. and how I wondered how JESUS Christ would feel about using my craft to teach about HIM. And how I got support and encouragement from this person in this church to go forward. That JESUS CHRIST loves us and wants us to be happy and happiness includes laughter and happy feelings and that is what a clown does. How the makeup on our faces represent the death (White makeup) and how the color(s) represent his coming back to life! Some things like that. What do you all think of that? Any suggestions?
I want to check eBay to see if there any clowning books there.
Well this getting way to long, sorry ......
Thank you again for your help. I do appreciate it all.
Linda aka RSVP Clown