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Clown Character

The dictionary says that character is : (1) a distinguishing feature, attitude or characteristic (2) the moral or ethical structure of a person (3) moral strength, integrity (4) reputation. With these guide lines lets look at the character of a clown.

When starting as a clown we decide on some features like looks, voice, colors and costume. Then we start to add attitude and behavior. As time goes by we see how our clown acts and reacts to different circumstances. The more that you are in clown the faster this will develop. It takes time to come in contact with all these different circumstances and to start reacting in the same way. When you start reacting in the same way each time, you have started to build character. You may not think that anyone is watching but believe me they are watching every action and reaction. After all, those are their kids you are playing with, and they are watching.

The moral and ethical structure that you grew up with will play a big part in how your clown comes across. If God is changing your moral structure your clown will change also. I don’t think that your clown will do things that go against your morals as a person. The strength of your morals will show through in all that you do and that works the other way also. If your morals are lose so will your clown’s be lose.

Integrity is what you do when no one else is looking. A long time clown, once told me a story about when he was delivering flowers in clown and he was walking back to the truck . He was all by him self and no one was in the street or any where to be seen. As he came to a curb he made a funny move and starting to step off the curb he ended up jumping off like a kid would do. It was late and no one was around but he did it anyway. Then he heard some one laughing and starting to applaud. As he looked around he still saw no one then this voice said up here and about 3 floors up a woman was leaning out the window and saying thank you. You are funny! That is integrity in its truest form. When in clown act as a clown would act, you may never know who is watching.

Reputation only comes with time and is not passed by your promotion literature. It is passed by others whether you like it or not. The other day I was at a big event and had been working for about four hours and I was tired. I heard a small voice saying Mr. Clown, Mr. Clown and as I looked around a little girl about 2 was coming up to me. As I squatted down resting my arms on my knees and looking at her. She came up and squatted down right in front of me and put her arms on her knees just like me, and asked for a balloon. I only had one balloon left and she liked that color. I tied it on to her arm and she said thank you and got up and ran back to mom. As I was getting up my eyes caught a woman who must have been watching the whole thing, as she was smiling and nodded her approval. That incident will go on and be told to others, long before I ever get to the next event. That is how reputation is spread.

So you see character only comes with time and practice.

…….Bob-O