hallo there =]

[patchez138fiend]

i stumbled upon this sight while doing a theatre history report on clowning and was wondering....does anybody know any specific lighting techniqies that clowns use? thanks! - Betty Savage

[tim]

You might want to try contacting Avner Eisenberg (Avner the Eccentric) who has a unique stage show with some simple lighting patterns. Also look to some of the more theatrically based clowns around the country for additional insight.

[Fitzwilly]

Much of today's clowning is done in living rooms around the country. In the past Emmitt Kelly performed a well known routine where he attemped to sleep up a spot of light as if it was a bit of dust.

Another RBBB clown used a light bulb screwed into a regular socket but with the cord cut to only a foot or two long (the light bulb worked) to lead customers to their seats.

Cirque du Solei or other Cirque type shows use many of the same lighting techniques that are used in regular Broadway productions. If anything I think that more follow spots might be trained on the clowns to encourage people to focus their attention there while other work is being done.

Ringling has added more computer controled lights in its collection over the last few years. The ring curbs are now fully lighted and preprogramed for different effects throughout the shows.