Petrified and losing it...

[Pinky59]

How did you all get over your nerves, and know deep down in your soul that you would make a good clown? I've never been a really confident person, and I have no clown mentors in my area. I've bought a lot of books, and I was considering one of the camps this summer, but that little nagging voice of doubt has reared its ugly head, and it's drowning out my desire/passion to do clown ministry. One minute, I'm all gung-ho and the next, I'm thinking I'm absolutely nuts to even consider such a silly thing. Any advice? My magic stinks, my balloon animals seriously bite, and I'm just feeling lost.
Sorry to vent...but thanks for listening.

[Waldo]

I use to be shy, but then I turned six. Remember while you may be timid, Pinky doesn't have to be shy. As for your balloon animals, concentrate on about 10 and just practice, practice, practice. I have animals around the house all the time. Getting a partner should help as well. Last but not least, if you are doing this as a ministry, pray for guidance. It is amazing to me the strange times that an idea comes to me.

Waldo

[Jamz]

In this case I would recommend that you go to camp nothing will get you charged up like hanging with a bunch of clowns all who are willing to share
When I first started I was one of the shyest people on the planet but as you do it you get more confidence and when you get that first hug thats it you will never quit
If you go to Mosebuger I will help you with balloons and Im sure Fitz will too Fred is great at teaching magic you will learn from him just by accident
Hope to see you there
PS when you are in make up no one knows who you are so be free

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

Believe it or not, being nervous just means that you really care about what you do and that you want to do a good job. That is a good thing. I am looking forward to going to camp and gaining the confidence and experience to go out there and be the best clown I can be.

There are a few related fields that you can look into for help. Look for a toastmasters group or class on public speaking. Take an acting or improv class. Join a juggling club. Any of these will help you meet other performers in your area.

[SparkyDMFD]

Hey Pinky...you're feelings are normal.

My advice to you is to get into costume and clown every chance you get. Volunteer places...the important thing is getting out and about in character.

All of the classroom training couldn't compare with being OUT THERE in character. I felt different parts of my character developing every time I clowned. Your character is merely an extension of yourself and being in clown and just "doing it" worked great for me.

Now that I look back I know that I was a sorry looking clown who couldn't do anything really. But that clowns began to grow each time she left the house. In my humble beginnings I did what nearly every inexperienced clown does...."hand out stickers" of course!

Learn a couple of jokes. Have a couple of funny things/props in your pockets. Whatever you're comfortable with...just DO it! Parades are a great time to just JUMP IN. You're always moving so you can keep using the same things over and over.

Pay attention to your walk....your talk. If there's anything in your mannerisms that you do out of clown....bring attention to that and do it BIG. Giggle or laugh frequently. "Simulated laughter leads to stimulated laughter!" If you giggle at yourself I can guaranty they'll be laughing with you.

From you're pic you're far ahead of many newbies.....you're makeup and costume appear absolutely adorable! So the rest should be an easy SELL!

Good luck!

Sparky

[Fitzwilly]

Pinky, it has taken years for me to be truly confident (most of the time) in my clowning abilities. I still have my moments, usually anytime I decide to do something new or something I haven't done in a while. I kept a mental checklist and I kept adding to it. It went something like this..."REAL clowns do..." And listed was eery skill I had ever heard of or seen a clown doing. I thought if I was going to be that mythical "real" clown I needed to excel and everything and there was just no way "I" could do that. Well with help I realized that not every entertainer had every skill, and that I not only didn't need to learn every skill, I also learned that I didn't need to be perfect at the ones I did learn. There is a line in the movie "What About Bob?" that my friends and I have jokingly used for years when we reach a new level requiring a few growing pains. Dryfuss's character tells Bob that everything will get better and he can overcome his fears and become the perfect person he is meant to be. But before he can jump up and take big steps towards his goal he must get started and what better way to get started than by taking "baby steps." Throughout the movie the phrase "Baby steps,baby steps" reoccurs and that has jokingly become our mantra. Moosecamp would be a good baby step for you. And it would be a place where you already knew three or four other clowns. It wouoldn't be like you didn't have any support. Besides you are already doing a great job. You have opened yourself up for God to lead you.

[Snugglesnort]

I have been baby stepping for two years. Mainly cause I haven't been totally committed to clowning yet. I have been doing other things first.

Believe it or not nervousness is great for clowning. It can propel us forward into doing the outrageous and funny things that clowns do and everyone loves. Also kids think it is hilarious if you seem to have no idea what you are doing but forge ahead anyways.

Finally think very carefully about the statement "I feel silly trying to clown." Do you see it? It is a contradiction. You are silly trying to be a clown. Every clown is. Embrace it. I realized this about a year ago when I felt I would look stupid practicing various clown skills (mime, juggling, pratfalling ect...) Then it occurred to me that since clowns are supposed to be laughed at, if anyone laughs at me while I am learning different skills, or doing weird exercises, far from being ashamed, I should be proud because I must be doing something right.

Don't make the mistake of Clooney the Clown in Shel Silversteins poem:

"...And soon the whole world rang with laughter,
Lasting till forever after,
While Cloony stood in the circus tent,
With his head drooped low and his shoulders bent.
And he said,"THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT -
I'M FUNNY JUST BY ACCIDENT."
And while the world laughed outside.
Cloony the Clown sat down and cried."

You are there for the audience. Clowning well is probably one of the most humble and selfless things you can do. People spend years and years composing themselves into people who are not going to be laughed at. People who want to clown run the other way. For me it is has been the hardest part of this whole... quest... letting go of the ego, pride, and sense of dignity. The last especially. I have trouble letting completely go of dignity. It is just how I am. I might just have to incorporate it into my character, and fool it in to slipping up or breaking. Kinda like John Clease does. Babysteps...

Boy that was longer then I expected...

Um... anyways, go with it. Have fun. Let go and put it in God's hands. Use what you have and go wild...

You could do balloon animals Noah's ark with a dozen balloon dogs. Tell every one that you are going to tell the story of Noah's ark with balloon animals. Tell the story up to the part where the animals come in. Tell everyone you are going to start with the two dogs. Then twist. Twist as fast as you can and make it clear with you body that you are concentrating and nervous. After furiously making four or five dogs without comment look up suddenly at everyone in a panic while your hands are still twisting the balloon. Finish it never looking down at it but looking at the audience, and counting with your head and eyes how many dogs you have made. Keep making a twisting motion with your hands even after the last real twist is done, then slow down the hands and look at the dog in horror. Look at it. Look at the others. Look at the one in your hands count them out loud. Count them out loud again. Ask the audience how many dogs were in Noah's ark. When they yell "Two!" Put the one in in your hands on with the others, step back and count the dogs again. Stare at them. Then start apologizing. Make it clear that you are not meaning to make only dogs, that you know there were only two dogs in the ark and as you are doing this, start twisting another dog. Keep up jabbering as you twist, looking at it as little as you can while still making a dog. Keep promising that the next animal will be different and how sorry and embarrassed you are about making as may dogs as you did. When done hold the dog up proudly, and open your mouth to let everyone know what it is. Then freeze. Move your eyes slowly and obviously over to the other dogs. Then back to the one in your hands. Stare at it with your mouth hanging open. Start words but don't actually say or mouth them. Then suddenly go "BAA! BAA!" without changing expression and throw it over your shoulder, and start twisting again. Another dog. This time don't hesitate when done, but hold it up and make another instantly recognizable animal sound the first one that pops into your head and throw it over your shoulder. If the animal it belongs to looks nothing like a dog, all the better. Repeat. When you have had enough of this. Then tell the full story of Noah's ark. Using the dogs for all the characters. The animals, the birds, the rain, and the people. Don't worry if you can't remember which dog you made which it doesn't matter. Do it quickly and wildly so everyone just has to go along with you. You and everyone else probably knows the story so don't be afraid to improvise. Have fun with it!

I just made up this gag so feel free to use it... clowning is a mental state, give your self permission to get into it.

Oh great! now it is a lot longer then I expected it to be and half of it belongs in about three or four other sub-forums, none of which are this one. Ah but here it is... So enjoy!

[Elsie]

Pinky, clowning is so rewarding, I cant tell how much, you will just have to experience it. I am fortunate to be able to clown with a group. The training is a great start but the experiences are the real rewards. Everytime you clown you learn something new, mostly from the people you are clowning for, Children have so much to say, and when your a clown you listen, us adults sometimes forget to listen.
Of course its tough the first few times you go out, but like some of them say, your in makeup and nobody knows who you are. No matter what you do when you are clowning people love it, they dont know if you make a mistake or that is just how a clown acts............. just relax and have fun, I think being a clown brings out the real you. I have helped teach our last 2 clown classes and it amazes me how the people grow and come out of their shyness as they go along, when they finally decide on their Clown type, and start to come to class in clown, you really see them change, its so exciting, plus it changes you in your everyday life as well, you wont be as shy anymore and you tend to be more comfortable around people even when you are not in clown.
As a clown you take the little things and really understand life and how it works and you see people and things totally different.
So put on that make up and costume and get out there and when you see that first smile or get that first hug you will be hooked. As you begin to clown people will come up and tell you they would like to be a clown too, maybe you will be the start of a new group.
So go out there and make the world smile, I can promise you it will be the best reward you have ever had.

[Duckie]

Hello there Pinky!!!!

My own 2 cents worth . . . . Never totally lose your nervousness 'cause when you do your clowning just becomes a job, and that takes all the fun out of it and it's all about the fun - for you and for everyone around you. I've been clowning for about sixteen years now and I still get nervous before every event!!! A little nervousness always keeps you on your toes. Once the job starts, the nervousness disappears(there's your magic) and the fun and laughter takes over!!!!

Besides, you never clown alone!!!! The good Lord put the clown in you and he said it himself - "I will never leave or foresake you" - therefore, he's always right there with you when you are bringing joy to others!!!! Have fun and keep up the good work!!!!

[Pinky59]

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I am literally in tears, sitting here reading your loving responses. You all have been and always will be such an inspiration to me. I am going to print out your responses, and keep them for the times when I am at my low points. You've really cheered me and given me lots to think about, and I thank God for each of you. HUGS AND MUGS!