Becomeing a Clown

[Dr Remendorf]

Hey everyone ive currently decided that i would like to become a clown. Ive looked but there are know clown schools in my area at all. Is it all right for a individual to teach them selves clowning? if so were does one start?

[tim]

Welcome to the forum! We'll certainly be happy to help coach you along however we are able to help.

[Shadpoke]

Howdy Dr. Remendorf and welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place. Lot of talent here. Enjoy your stay.

Shadpoke

[Dr Remendorf]

Thanks everyone. As clowns what would you say a beginner should do first on the road of Higher Clown learning.

[noname]

Originally Posted by Dr Remendorf

Thanks everyone. As clowns what would you say a beginner should do first on the road of Higher Clown learning.

Develop a character and find a face. The second one would probably be easier than the first, though they may develop simultaneously or spontaneously, as the case may be.

[Fifi D. Clown]

Wecome Doc!
There is no training or clown school in my area either. Try getting some good books on clowning, study what makes you and other people laugh, learn lots of silly jokes. There is a lot of info right here in this forum if you go up to Search. Get into a parade or two with a "walk around" idea. Practice stuff on your kids or your friends kids or your pets (dogs seem to enjoy clowns more than cats). Get to know some other clowns and share info and ideas. Have FUN.

[noname]

Originally Posted by Fifi D. Clown

Wecome Doc!
There is no training or clown school in my area either. Try getting some good books on clowning, study what makes you and other people laugh, learn lots of silly jokes. There is a lot of info right here in this forum if you go up to Search. Get into a parade or two with a "walk around" idea. Practice stuff on your kids or your friends kids or your pets (dogs seem to enjoy clowns more than cats). Get to know some other clowns and share info and ideas. Have FUN.

Good advice. "Creative Clowning" by Bruce Fife is definitely the book to have if you want to learn how to clown.

[Chance Marmalade]

Be a Clown by Mark Stolzenberg is the other must have book along with the above mentioned Creative Clowning.

You might also try listing out all of your skills no matter what they are and thinking about how to put them into a character to birth your clown! (Playing the guitar, dancing, reading upside down, bottle cap racing, whatever!)

Explore different characters like the White Face, the Auguste or the Character clown and write a 1-3 page personal biography on each style of clown character you create. Play with clown make up and watch any kind of real clowns you can find. Even the worst ones will teach you something!

The other big one for me is to keep a notebook of any funny ideas, jokes, routines and funny images to use later. Carry it with you and write down ideas as soon as they come to you. Don't put it off or you may forget some small thought that can grow into your next big show! Spend a lot of time reading about clowns online, watching Red Skelton and old silent movies (Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Harry Langdon) and modern clowns like Bill Irwin, David Shiner and Avner the Eccentric.

You must feed yourself hefty amounts of comedy so that you have sustenance to grow with! Art can not exist in a vacuum!

Another fun and enjoyable step in beginning the journey to finding your clown is to discover your hat (Mark Stolzenberg recommends this right at the start). Buy a bunch of different style hats from Good Will, Value Village or whatever local thrift shops you have. See if any of them cause your clown to emerge. Remember you don't have to wear a bowler, top hat or colorful buttony style cap as a clown! (Though I do like those!).

Once you have a rough idea for your character, you can write a more lengthy biography or start working on some entrances for your clown. Different ways he might say "Hello". Create! Have fun!

[noname]

Originally Posted by Chance Marmalade

Different ways he might say "Hello". Create! Have fun!

This coming from a "silent clown"

[Chance Marmalade]

Even us silent clowns gotta "say" hello! Here are a couple ways a clown might say it!

*Laugh
*Play a Note or Short Melody on an Insturment
*Shyly turn to the audience and smile
*Tip your hat
*Take a bow
*Wave hello
*Sing a short song
*Sneeze!

(From Be a Clown)