new clown on the block

[Dancin' Dot]

Hey there- I am looking into getting started and would really appreciate any tips or suggestions that you can send my way. I am a retired pre school teacher and former owner of a day care center in NY. I have a wonderful clown costume hanging in the closet and a heart to make the elderly laugh and smile. I just don't have any talents like making balloon animals or magic tricks. Although, I love to be silly.
Thanks. PP

[pixcoco]

YEAH, another one from NY. Which part are you in? I'm central.
Have you checked for local clown clubs (alley) yet?
Glad you found this site.

[in Harmony with Jesus]

Welcome to the forum! If you love to be silly then that's all you need to get started! Our clown ministry goes to visit a local nursing home once a month & take nothing more than our crazy personalities most of the time. All it takes is one of them to spot us when we walk in & that's all she wrote! They just love the company. Sometimes we take little things for them - like the last visit I had a bunch of stickers & we took those to hand out. And without fail, I usually end up singing with or for some of the residents even when we don't plan to. But there are times that we do plan & we'll take a piano player with us. They love that too.

Well, again, welcome to the Clown Forum family! There's lots of helpful information buried in the archives, so be sure to check it out. And if you have any questions, just ask. Everyone here is very helpful!

[The_Princess_of_Bozonia]

Welcome Sunny!

[Harpoetta]

Welcome to the forum, Sunny. I see your info in the corner says you are in Minnesota, what part of MN are you in? I'm in St. Paul. My Dad, Fred Baisch (who is also a forum member), is co-owner of Twin Cities Magic & Costume on the edge of down town St. Paul.

Good to have you with us!

[tim]

There are some really easy things to learn or "do" in clown which don't take a lot in order to get you started.

But, that said, what matters most is your character and presence. As the great clown instructor, Mark Renfro, often says, "What your audience wants is YOU!" So if you have that, in some sense, you already have everything you need to be a great clown.



I'd try to hook up with some clowning oriented clubs nearby to get guidance and a foot in the door. Since your interested in working with the elderly, you might also want to get in touch with some nursing homes or churches and see if the opportunity to visit the older folks is available.

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

Welcome to the Clown Forum! If being a clown is something you really want to do, I am sure that you will be good. With a little practice, you can learn how to make balloon animals, do magic tricks, and other things.

[saphireSue]

Howdy and welcome to the group

[Dancin' Dot]

Harpoetta- Thanks for the post. I am near Alexandria,MN. I'll have to come down and visit your Dad's place sometime. Do you know if there are many clowns in my area?
Sunny

[Lolly Plop]

Welcome to the forum Sunny.