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Clowning 101 (3)

Lesson 3

E. Programs (continued)

4. Balloons

Balloons are magical and can melt the hardest hart or overcome the most frighten child. So learn to do a few twist animals. Even just a dog will get you by. It is not hard to learn 5 or 6 different things and you will be surprised how far that will take you in the eyes of children. Older folks like balloons also. When you are in a hospital don’t forget to ask if they can have them. Some times people are allergic to balloons. Also don’t forget to give to the nurses for there kids at home.

5. Juggling

All kids believe that clowns can juggle. It is a skill that you should try to accomplish. Even I have overcome it and it is not easy the older you get so start now. There are lots of books and places that teach, so look around and try it. It can be a big plus in your bag of tricks. Practice, practice and more practice is all it takes along with the determination to do it. You can learn anything if you have the right attitude. That’s how God made us with the ability to learn.

6. Tricks

They can be something that you carry in your pocket or even bigger so as to be in your box. One of those rubber tubs with a lid are great for carrying your tricks and things. You can also use one of those toot bags or backpacks. The kids will ask you to show them a trick or do some tricks for us. So be ready and have a few tricks up your sleeve. A trick is something that you know how to do or that you know the answer to, but they don’t. If you can do it with out them seeing or knowing how, all the better. That makes it a trick. OK!

F. Walk-a-Round

What is walk-a-round or meet and greet. Well it is just what it means, to walk around and talk to people and greet them and welcome them. You will need to have a few tricks and things in your pockets so as to entertain them for a few minutes. Then on to the next person or group of people. If you see the same people more then once you will need to show them something new. This is where your craft in entertaining comes into play. This requires self confidence and it can be groomed only with time and practice. Rehabs are a great place to do that as you can go from room to room and use the same trick for practice and to get your patter right for you. Believe me when you have done the same trick 25 times in the last hour you will either like it or change it. This is one of the best places to practice as some of these people have not had a visit in a long time or not at all. They are grateful for a visit and will not mind at all if you don’t do it just right. The fact that you are there is more important to them then what you do, and the opportunity for you to practice is important to you, so it is a win, win situation. The more practice you get the more self confidence you build. You will also find that there will be a few tricks you like best and they will be the ones you carry the most.

G. Parades

Parades are a great place to show your stuff and let people know that you do Clowning. You can just walk down the street and wave at everyone or you could work the crowd so to speak. Working the crowd is walking along the edge and interacting with them. That’s talking to them and playing along the way. Only stopping long enough to get the laugh and then running a little to catch up. Working both sides of the street is fun because you will walk or part run three times the length of the parade. You should take a trick or joke to do all along the way. Always show the trick to the audience behind you the ones that you are working with and not to the ones who are your next stop. When the ones ahead hear the audience laugh they will be more eager to see what they were laughing at. I have even had people ask me what people are laughing at from the clown working on the other side of the street. One clown walking will get a few smiles and a laugh or two, but two clowns working will have both sides of the street laughing and 6 or 8 working will steal the parade and people will go home saying the parade was great.

H. Fees

Yes we need to talk about fees for your services. We all start out saying oh I’m just doing this for the Lord and all my services are free. Well here is the truth, you are doing something of value. Any service that has value needs to be paid. For every birthday party that you do free you are robing another clown that charges, of his income. After awhile there will not be a clown in the area, even you, doing birthday parties. If you continue to work for free you will burn out and end up not clowning at all. I have seen it happen to a few clowns who refused to charge for there services. At first they are doing a lot and everybody wants them because they are free. After a while their costumes are getting a little worn and their props are old and worn out and look dull and dirty because they can’t afford to replace them now. Then it will not be long till they get tired of getting into make-up and then they quit. I’m not saying that you have to charge for everything but people need to know that what you do has value. I believe that you need to tithe your gift also. I give at least 20% of my time for free. I started out with all for free but soon learned that I needed to charge to pay for all the training and make-up and props and clothes. When shoes cost $180.00 a pair you need to either be rich or have a wife that supports your hobby or charge for your services. If you want to be a good clown for God then study and learn and charge for your services. The best preachers that God has, charge for their time yet they are right where God wants them and doing right what He wants them to do. Why should you be any different, you are one of His clowns? So love God with all you are.

…….Bob-O