Clowning Starts at 50

Of course, I have other folk I know who are encouraging me to stay simple - be the party clown and follow that route. Pish-tosh. If I am going after this, I am going after this, period. So...as the road wanders on from start to whatever point it finally approaches, I would like to invite all of you out there to come along with me through these writings. Some periods of times may be quieter than others, some will be filled with more entries than others. But, there will be entries, and, this article will be ongoing for all of them.

Where does this start? Years ago. When the doctor's hand slapped my bottom...well, maybe not that far back.

I have done party clowning. I have done party magic. I have done some street magic at various ren. faires and other craft fair activities. When I got started in that, I was lucky. I really didn't know a blessed thing about what I was doing. I read a few books, I was a theatre arts major, I faked it as I went along...and, it somehow managed to work for me. Believe me...that is not the road I would suggest most fools to start developing along. No, I would strongly point them to reading books, talking with the pros in the field or in their town (or both), to get involved in the private organizations to develop the best they can, then, step beyond those boundaries.

I have done time in street entertainment at theme parks. That is a medium I love and enjoy. On stage without a script and solid improvisation for 30 minutes at a run. It is clowning, of a form...it is improv, it is a wild and wacky form of entertainment art that, if you are really into it, you can absolutely enjoy.

I have done time as a scripted theme park entertainer. The Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. What a great way to hone your chops as a comedic performer. You have a basic script you work from, and, a changing audience every 9 to 10 minutes you are in a boat. 30 people or so, the river, and you. The job is to get them all laughing and smiling together at the same jokes everytime you make that cruise. Each time the material has to be new for the boatloads and you. After several years of this, it becomes a real training ground for what a field entertainer can do. This has been a dream job for me and for developing specific aspects of my art. And, it is something I still love to do.

Okay, but, what am I doing about my clowning? Well, we'll get around to that.

I am currently putting up a magic act that has two modes of presentation: a wild west medicine show style act and a 1940'esque carney style act. A lot of comedy, a lot of physical interaction, a lot of skills thatrelate to circus arts and clowning. And, of course, I want to get back into clowning. Not party clowning, no. Like I said, it is the sawdust ring where I really want to go.

I did the local conference and convention route for clowns a few years ago. And, I found that arena to be highly much a cookie cutter production syndrome. I wanted to go beyond. Finally, this year, I have made the decision to go beyond.

November I will be going to (God Willing and all things stay equal) MotionFest East. This is the start of my 50th year, and, the start of the road I will be following to developing myself as a physical comedienne.

End part 1. Stay tuned for part 2 - Juggling practice and covered with bruises!