New to Forum, Though not New to Clowning

noname · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 07:44 PM

Hi,

My name is, well, I really don't have a clown name yet. You would think after a couple of years of clowning I would have one, but I have yet to find something that fits me.

Anyway, I got into clowning in a very weird way. I was a seminarian (for those that don't know, that is someone studying to be a Catholic priest) working in a hospital, really depressed by what I saw and having to be there every day during the summer months. When, one day another seminarian informed me there was a former clown working at the hospital. I always wanted to meet one so it was a great experience. I told him how I had been juggling for, at that time, about 10 years, and had done balloons on and off. He quickly took me under his wing and taught me how to do basic balloons, how to bounce juggle, and some basic face painting. I was so uplifted and inspired by the whole thing that I sailed the trusty net for some more information about clowning, when I happened to discover Mooseburger Camp. It was always my dream to go to clown school..well, in this case, camp, but still. So, I emailed Trish, a.k.a. Priscilla Mooseburger and after many emails back and forth, I decided it was my last "free" summer before being ordained a deacon (you need to do that before being ordained a priest) so might as well.

Now, when I got there, I was a little overwhelmed and pretty much decided this was not going to be something I would probably do ever again. Even after I left and, as an early ordination gift Trish made me clown pants, I still never thought I would use it. I was too shy, and though had the heart of a clown, and even a bigger heart of a child, I still would not let him out to play. So, I was pretty content with that, until, after my diaconate ordination when I was assigned to a Catholic Charity Center. I happened to mention to one of the deacons working there that I had gone to clown school (I know it was camp but it sounded cooler calling it school) and he took that as meaning that I was somehow a professional clown. So, he asked me if I would "perform" for their all-day kindergarten class (though I think there were others that were older, not including the teachers and other adults). I agreed though I was scared to death. I had done one thing at camp, learned some stuff for the first time, I was destined to fail.

The day came, I was all painted up, had my juggling balls in my pocket, the magic coloring book in my hand, and walked into class. All of a sudden, something took over, I had a lot of fun, I did everything I never do, and my imagination took control, even with the props, the puppets, etc. I had my first taste of clowning..solo clowning and really liked it. After that I wound up performing for the seminary, for my cousin's daycare class, and the parish I am currently assigned at.

I don't "clown" much but when I do I never have so much in my life. However, one of the promises I had made to Trish before leaving camp was that I would come back one day as a chaplain, which I did last year. I found I had grown, things made more sense, and though I was still reluctant to find my child, he still managed to get out at the important times. I still do shows, mostly for the parish at which I am assigned, but have expressed interest of doing other venues (one of the advantages of being a priest is you have more choices and have more people willing to let you clown)

Anyway, as long as that was, that was the short version of how I got into clowning. I happened to stumble upon this site this evening after looking for information on a book: "Why is that Funny?"

So, that's me. I currently don't have a clown name, still working on it, so you can call me what everyone else does, Fr. Brian

Peace!

Pickles · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 07:55 PM

Welcome, Noname, and thanks for sharing your story. I love hearing about the unique ways different individuals come into clowning.

I have a GREAT idea!!! Why don't you come back to Moose Camp to be chaplain again this year?! PLEEZE PLEEZE!!! (I'm signed up as a student!)

noname · #3 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickles

Welcome, Noname, and thanks for sharing your story. I love hearing about the unique ways different individuals come into clowning.

I have a GREAT idea!!! Why don't you come back to Moose Camp to be chaplain again this year?! PLEEZE PLEEZE!!! (I'm signed up as a student!)

Actually, I can't. Just talked to Trish, she is booked solid! She said it took her by surprise, so much so, she forgot to hold a place for me.

Sir Toony Van Dukes · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:03 PM

Fr. Brian, Welcome to the Clown Forum!

I enjoyed reading your story. I hope that you are able to continue do some clown events from time to time. I hope you become an active member of the forum. I too will be going to Moose Camp this summer and would love to see you there.

Scruffy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:36 PM

Welcome to the fold, Fr. Brian. That is the biggest collar I have ever seen a priest wear!
Cheers,
Scruffy

tim · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:39 PM

Bless me Father for I have pratfallen. It's been too long since my last laugh.

Interesting you would show up. Lately, and in light of the minor (high school) seminary of which I'm an alumnus closing just last year, I've been giving a lot of thought to the connection between priestly ministry and clowning. While the priesthood was not my call, I do sometimes joke, "Priest, clown... just two sides of the same coin." But I think that there is some truth to that.

Did you happen to meet Roly Bain when you initially attended Moosecamp? He has some interesting ideas on this concept of Christ as Clown which he writes about in his book, Playing the Fool.

Jose Rivera, who you also may have studied under at Moosecamp, was also once a seminarian and (I want to say) in religious life.

Scruffy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:44 PM

That reminds me; Bill Maher said that his Father was Jewish but, his mother was Catholic. So Confession went something like this. "Bless me Father, For I have sinned. And I am sure you know my Lawyer, Mr. Cohen...."

tim · #8 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffy

And I am sure you know my Lawyer, Mr. Cohen...."

So THAT is the "another advocate" who Christ promised to send!

noname · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

Bless me Father for I have pratfallen. It's been too long since my last laugh.

Interesting you would show up. Lately, and in light of the minor (high school) seminary of which I'm an alumnus closing just last year, I've been giving a lot of thought to the connection between priestly ministry and clowning. While the priesthood was not my call, I do sometimes joke, "Priest, clown... just two sides of the same coin." But I think that there is some truth to that.

Did you happen to meet Roly Bain when you initially attended Moosecamp? He has some interesting ideas on this concept of Christ as Clown which he writes about in his book, Playing the Fool.

Jose Rivera, who you also may have studied under at Moosecamp, was also once a seminarian and (I want to say) in religious life.

Not only did I meet Roly, I took his class. Trish gave me special permission, since I was a seminarian, to take his "Faith and Foolishness" class. He is an amazing guy and a phenomenal clown. I did learn a lot from him, though some of the stuff was not my style.

I also met Jose and he told me all about his experiences in the seminary. If I am not mistaken Joe...forgot his last name, works for Six Flags, was also a seminarian at one time as well.

Small world.