Bringing joy and laughter since 1946
Blog
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Don’t forget the why
The Problem Isn’t That Clowning Is Dying It’s That Too Many Clowns Forgot What Matters Somewhere along the way, too many people started believing clowning was about the makeup. It isn’t. Makeup is decoration. Props…
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The audience knows when your faking it!
One of the hardest lessons for performers to accept is this: Audiences are far smarter than we give them credit for. Children especially. Kids may not understand performance theory, timing, stagecraft, or character development —…
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The real reason some clowns burn out
Nobody talks enough about burnout in clowning. Maybe because people assume clowns are supposed to be endlessly cheerful. Maybe because performers feel guilty admitting exhaustion in an art form built around joy. But burnout is…
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A good clown understands that not everyone needs a clown
One of the first things a performer learns is how to approach people. One of the last things a good clown learns is when not to. That lesson matters more than most people realize. A…
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The best clowns don’t try to be the funniest person in the room
A lot of performers enter clowning thinking the goal is to become hilarious. That makes sense on the surface. Clowns make people laugh. Comedy matters. Timing matters. Humor matters. But the best clowns I’ve ever…
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Why clowning means more than laughter to some of us
Most people see a clown and think about laughter first. Big shoes.Funny faces.Chaos.Comedy.Color and noise and silliness. And honestly, that’s exactly what they should think about. Because at its heart, clowning is about joy. But…
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The most important skill in clowning has nothing to do with makeup
Ask people outside clowning what skills matter most and you’ll usually hear the same answers: Makeup.Juggling.Balloon twisting.Magic.Comedy.Costumes. Those things matter. But none of them are the most important skill. The most important skill in clowning…
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Why good clowns never stop learning
One of the most dangerous things a performer can believe is: “I’ve got it figured out.” The moment a clown stops learning, the character usually starts becoming predictable. The performance stiffens. The reactions become automatic.…