So... how exactly do you "run away" and join the circus as a clown?

[Snugglesnort]

In the traditional American circus, most clowns seemed to just sort of fall into clowning. Some literally fell into it. They had other acts in the circus, that they couldn't do any more (from injury or age) and so they became clowns. Others just happened to be at the right place at the right time, and got suckered into it a'la Bill Ballintine who was the first major director of RBBC Clown College. He just hung out with the Ringling clowns painting them for a magazine article, and they slapped a face on him gave him a walk around, and he ended up touring with the circus for about three or four years. Some had parents in the trade like Ballintines son Toby, who also became a Ringling clown. Sometimes people were just there, and the job needed to be done (I suspect that is how clowns got in the circus in the first place: "gee thats a lot of tense horseback riding, we really need something to break it up... but what...?)

But how about today? In the post clown college world, where there are many trained professionals about, how does circus clowning work? How do you even know where and when to look for a circus clown job? Do you need a full act, or just an audition act? Do you need formal training or does it just help? (I know it couldn't hurt)

Any help from past or present circus clown would be appreciated.

Also I figured it would be a good second thread for the circus and stage sub-forum.

[Pam-cakes]

Those are great questions! I am excited to learn, as I am very interested in circus clowning. I am always thinking of new questions to ask, and will post mine eventually....when I think of great ones!

[Chance Marmalade]

There are a ton of small circuses still around but they seem to be predominantly in Europe. A friend of mine, Scotty Walsh just got accepted into a circus that performs from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Trocadero Theater in Elitch Gardens. I think it's much easier to run away with the circus in other countries.

I know he auditioned for the spot using a fifteen minute act he's been working on for the last four years. Also, if you get into a circus as a Rousty I imagine you hear about a lot more open clowning positions.

The possibly more difficult option might be to start your own circus by joining up with like minded circus entrepreneurs! There are a million Cirque de Soliel companies now, but there are far less companies doing anything like the stuff from the olden days.

[tim]

It depends upon what you want to do.

Honestly, a lot of the circus clowning out there today is somewhat raw and inexperienced. Absent the long training which was provided by coming up in a circus life or the intense training of a Clown College, it is largely learning on your own, refining skills, and getting a job to learn on the road.

If one wants to join out with Ringling, you need an audition video to send to the talent people in the organization. Or you need to be working on another show that they scout.

Some shows are going after more established talent, others will welcome a relative newbie with some skills. A Cirque de Soleil would be looking for people with some more theatrical type training. Big shows are looking for big, established, talent.

But the environment for circus clowning, overall, isn't all that hot. Unlike years ago (and even somewhat recent history) there just are not that many circuses or clowns on circuses. Most shows might carry one or two, but no more. And clowns aren't always appreciated (they are often only tolerated at best.)

If one is going to get into circus clowning, it should be because it is a real passion that one is willing to sacrifice for.

[Snugglesnort]

Thanks guys! I really don't want to half do it. I want to be a clown that people want to work with, producers want to hire and audiences want to see. I want to be clown that my friends who are "scared of clowns" think is funny even with a red nose and makeup on. I would love to work in a traditionalish circus one or three ring for at least for a couple of years probably more. I am pretty ADD so I don't know how long I could last doing one thing at one place. Even clowning in a circus. Which is another reason I am into clowning. There are so many places and ways to do it!

I never expect to be rich. I just want to live, enjoy it, and have the people around me enjoying it too.

[Smacky]

Circus clowns (outside a headline STAR like Bello) are some of the lowest paid clowns out there, and they often have other jobs with the show to suppliment their income.

But who among us hasn't dreamed of the circus? For me it even goes beyond that, I get that same twittery excited feeling whenever I see the flashing lights of a carnival too. Both circuses and carnivals are just a little bit magic to me.

[Fitzwilly]

Being ADD Snort I think that Circus clowning might be one of the lowest things on your clown totem pole. Not because it would not be exciting (at moments) but because it would be boring most of the time. I have a number of friends who have spent time on the road with Ringling and they talk of hours and hours riding the train staying in their room that is roughly 5 foot by 6 foot. (I have been on the Blue Train and some rooms are smaller!) Of riding through towns across the United States but usually parking in the slums, the run down industrial areas well past their prime; of rarely having time to see anything of the beautiful and varied cities they are "visiting"; of repeating the same show hundreds and thousands of times without variation (that is the part that would be very difficult for me.) In a small show I'm sure there would be more opportunities but... I think there are other avenues to the type of clowning you are thinking about in this day and age.

Oh, and another way to be "discovered" by one of the circuses? Go to one of the clown camps, go to the regional and international conventions, and talk to the circus clowns. I just returned from the COAI convention, Tricia wasn't there but Christopher Hudert was (he spent 8 or 9 years with RBBB) Kevin Brown was there for a day or so and we had a nice discussion for a couple of hours after he taught a couple of classes (He recently was in China performing with Toto Johnson and EZ Zander) and Leon McBride showed up for a couple of days. I only got to talk with him for a half hour or so a couple of times. These people know what is going on in the world of circus and they also know who to talk to when the time is right.

And if I remember correctly starting as a roustabout is one of the last ways you will ever transition into being a working clown for the circus. You need to go in as a clown and then add other chores to your plate.

[tim]

A joke that goes around is, "Do you have a CDL?" Then you can be a clown. There is some truth to it. Mud shows need drivers.

[Snugglesnort]

<<I think there are other avenues to the type of clowning you are thinking about in this day and age.>>



Yes I am keeping my options open. I intened to go to conventions and get some quality clown education as soon as as the opprotunity presents itself.

So here is one: what are the virtues of working for a circus as a clown?

[Fitzwilly]

There is still credibility from being a circus clown. There are only so many positions open so to say you have been with "such and such" circus does say something to the world at large. Also to other circus clown you have joined the "brotherhood" you have an understanding that the general world doesn't have. Another thing to cnsider is that by the time you do a few thousand performances you are going to be good (or at least have a much better understanding) no matter what.