Be a Clown

Be a Clown, Be a Clown.  All the World Loves a Clown.

By David P. Newcomb, NCI Dean

            Be a clown, be a clown, all the world loves a clown. These words from a Cole Porter song are familiar to many of us and they have always been true.  Being a clown, is a wonderful thing.  And here at the Northeast Clown Institute, our staff will help you become a clown if that’s what you want.

            The Northeast Clown Institute (NCI) is similar to a lot of other teaching institutions that teach clowning.  Quite simply, NCI is a little different.  Here, our staff is a volunteer staff, passing along our tricks of the trade to the next generations of clown entertainers.  We do this because we love making people smile.  Therefore, if you’re interested in trying something new, something different and something fun, why don’t you think about clowning?

            Clowning has been an honorable art for thousands of years.  From my own perspective, clowning has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.  The way I see it, clowning is a way to provide an escape for my audience.  This escape allows my audience to momentarily forget their personal problems or difficulties and have some laughter and some fun.  When I connect with my audience, I can see it in their eyes and I feel their joy from their smiles.  How honorable and wonderful is that?

            Clowning is certainly a lot of fun, and it is also a bit of work.  Becoming a clown is easy.  Simply make up your mind that joy and happiness is something you want to be responsible for in life and you’re on your way.  Next, attend the NCI training classes and learn the tricks of the trade.  The classes teach make-up design and application, costuming, balloon twisting, magic, props, skits, parade gimmicks, and more.

            Clowns are also known as “Joeys,” in reference to Joseph Grimaldi who was a harlequin or whiteface clown in the early 1800’s.  Grimaldi performed pantomime and was considered the most famous and most popular of his era, and ever since then, he’s fondly remembered in entertainment circles.  Charles Dickens put Grimaldi’s memoirs in order and said of him, “The clown left the stage with Grimaldi, and though often heard of, has never since been seen.” 

            The Joeys who volunteer at NCI take their clowning seriously and each one works diligently at their trade.  While they each take personal pride in their own developed talents, they also are caring enough about the clowning trade to share their knowledge with others.  It is common to see classes with training on make-up in each clown category to help the newer clowns improve.  There is always room for established clown veterans who might want to brush up on lost skills or to learn new ideas.  There are 4 main categories of clowns, each one with traditional characteristics and styles.  There are Whiteface clowns, such as Bozo with white as the primary color on the face, Auguste clowns with white around the eyes and muzzle and flesh tones on the cheeks and neck, accentuating the features.  Hobo/Tramp clowns have the weathered and tattered looks and Character clowns represent famous people or occupations.  At NCI, we have classes which cover them all.  There are also classes which meet to practice skits, balloon sculptures, stilt-walking,  pantomime, comedy routines, and other clowning aspects.

            While training and socializing, there are usually stories which relive the interesting and heart-warming situations in which clowns are always finding themselves involved.  Some are touching, some are inspiring and all of them are worth repeating over and over.  Besides the enjoyment of retelling stories, there is educational value as well.  Learning what to expect and how to handle these situations is important.  However, with clowning, we try not to copy from each other.  Instead, we look for ways to put a little piece of ourselves into each performance, thereby keeping things fresh and new.

            Ultimately, our goal as Clowns is to make the world a better place, one smile at a time.  Our audiences consist of children of all ages and our goal is to spread cheer, laughter and joy to those who need it most.  “There is no greater picture than that of 10,000 smiling children.  No brighter music than their clear-ringing laughter.  That I, with my small amusements, have created such precious art is my life's proudest achievement."  P.T. Barnum said that years ago.  I believe P.T. knew exactly what he was talking about.  After all, he was the person who became famous for founding the circus that became The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

            It’s been said before that clowns are angels with red noses.  Red Skelton said, "God's children and their happiness are my reasons for being".  Red was one of the most famous entertainers and was an honorary member of the Aleppo Shrine Clowns in Wilmington, Massachusetts.  So remember, if having fun and spreading joy and laughter is an interesting and inviting idea for you, why not think about becoming a Clown.  It’s a little work but it’s very rewarding and it sure is a lot of fun.