Using Props

USING PROPS AND GAGS

Where do ideas for props and gags come from? After being a clown and performing for a period of time, you'll find it very easy to think like a clown. Until that time, you'll find it beneficial to be alert to the many events around you. Especially watch:

• Everyday events (people-watch at malls, stores, restaurants, etc.)

• Toy counters (check them for things you can adapt)

• Current news events (items like "Trouble with the Dome in Minneapolis, and the People Mover in Detroit" can lead to a "Dome Repair Crew" or a "People Mover")

• Job related (large telephone poles and phones for parades)

• Fairy tales (large shoe, etc., Cinderella, and others)

• Gift Shops and gag stores (check for things you can use)

Walk Arounds: (parades, circuses, store openings, etc.) Usually, one or two clowns perform a sight-gag or a small, quick gag while walking around a circus ring or in a parade. The clown keeps moving while doing the gags, or stops, performs, and moves on to another part of the ring or parade, and thus another audience. The trick or gag is repeated. In the case of a store opening, the clown remains stationary, while the crowd keep changing, thus the clown repeats the gag at intervals to a constantly changing audience. Practice handling your props so the audience can see what you are doing. Be aware of where your audience is located so they can see and understand your bit. Determine what you want your audience to grasp.

NOTE: Be very cautious of squirting water or throwing confetti on an audience. Although it is funny to those not involved, getting a newly purchased hot dog (or other food) covered with confetti or water is not necessarily funny to the one who purchased it.

Props are a very important part of your show or act. They should be in good working order and maintained properly. They should look good and be quality made. A.J. Fast

*************************** PROP SUGGESTIONS

Hidden Walk Arounds in a Briefcase:

NOTE: Suitcases can be made from light (1/4") plywood or perhaps from foamcore material. They can also be purchased at garage sales, etc. Inserts can be foamcore, masonite, or perhaps cardboard or artist board.

OUTSIDE OF CASE - INSIDE THE CASE

Top Secret "Secret" - deod. containers

Electric Dish Washer - dish cloth and elec. cord

Official Spring Cleaner - springs and feather duster

Official U.S. Taxpayer - rubber skeleton

My Bee Collection - letter "B's"

My Photo Album - pictures of Raggedy Ann

Feets of Skill - feet cutouts and Skill saw

Egg Plant - plant with eggs attached

My Box of Tricks - cereal box of Trix

A Pair of Bloomers - two potted plants

Get Along Little Dogie - case w/dog hanging out

An American Hairless - rubber hotdog w/collar

Pair of Whoppers - two plastic hamburgers

History of Aviation - a large fly

Ugliest Person in the World - a mirror

Antique Nutcracker - a stuffed squirrel

Dog Food - mailman's pants & shoes

My Ant Collection - pix of three old ladies

Rock and Roll - a rock and an old roll

My Pride and Joy - pic of Pride & bottle of Joy

Ruins of China - broken plate

Holy Mackerel - fish with holes in it

Holy Cow - cow with holes in it

Scottish Bagpipes - a bag and pipes

Tale of Peter Rabbit - rabbit's tail (powder puff)

Portable Electric Hand Mixer - stuffed glove w/elec. cord

Early American Alarm Clock - a rooster

My Family Crest - tube of Crest & toothbrush

My Diamond Collection - cards w/diamonds on them

Five-Carat Diamond Ring - five carrots, dime, and ring

My Chain-Letter Collection - letters hanging on chains

Danger, Man-Eating Plant - talking teeth

Baby Rattlers - baby rattles

My Bug Collection - toy Volkwagen cars

Inflation Fighter - a girdle

World's First Airbrush - balloon and elec. cord

First Dog in Space - hot dog susp. on a wire

--A.J. Fast

SIGHT WALKAROUNDS (one clown)

Valentine Surprise - heart box w/wind-up teeth

Balancing Stick - balance can on top (magnet)

Hand Pointing - finger points up (words 'down')

Giveaway Flower - stems (straws)

Giveaway Balloons - helium balloons w/short strings

Balancing Feather - sharp pin in feather

Ear Cleaning - sign and large Q-tip

Box of Popcorn - popcorn on strings

Spring Flowers - bucket w/slinky flowers

Large Camera - giveaway photos

Toothbrushes - sign w/toilet brushes

Ear Piercing - sign and large, sharp dowel

Circus Hand - Balancing hands on stick

Neckties - sign w/hangman's nooses

Dog or Cat Food - box or bag w/animal crackers

LARGE WALKAROUNDS (one or two clowns)

Pizza two clown gag

Cotton Candy two clown gag

Elephant and Rider fake legs

Duck Hunter duck sitting on gun

Chicken & Egg bendover prop

Lady & Baby Elephant bendover prop

Balloonist large balloon over clown

TRAY WALKAROUNDS (one clown)

Hot Dog Vendor hot dogs on tray

Fish Vendor rubber fish and big knife

Vendor Vendor hot dog selling "vendors"

Chicken Dinners Col. Sanders box w/ears of corn, checkered tablecloth, plates

Onion Vendor tears, onions, knife

Free Shakes milkshake glasses, cotton, etc.

Candied Apple Vendor balloon apples

THIRD-HAND PROPS

Sad Stories book w/hand wiping face

Flower Puppet large vase w/puppet

Apple with Worm in It make green puppet as worm