What a Professional Clown Does

Clowns Work Hard to Entertain People

Feb 25, 2009 Denise Oliveri

A professional clown not only makes people laugh. He is a true performer with many talents.

Professional clowns are truly one-of-a-kind characters. As an artist and performer, a clown is someone who makes people laugh, smile, and feel entertained. Whether the clown acts silly or foolish, or whether he performs magic or balloon artistry, a professional clown is someone whose main goal is to make people happy.

When it comes to what clowns do, the list is endless. Clowns are by nature comical performers that not only act the part, but dress the part. From colored wigs, outlandish makeup and amazing costumes, a clown becomes a character that entertains and amuses.

Some do traditional slapstick such as squirting water from a flower, while others use physical humor by falling down stairs or walking crooked on a straight high wire. There are professional clowns that use magic or juggling, while still others tell jokes or use puppets. The types of acts that professional clowns vary as much as the makeup worn.

Types of Professional Clowns

Clowning is a very physical performance that takes a lot of work. It can be tricky to walk that fine line between hysterical and scary, and it all relies on the skill level of the performer inside of the costume. The character of a clown can vary as well. As a professional clown one must decide which venue he wants to perform in and how he wants to perform. He can be:

  • A joker
  • A hobo
  • A mime

He can work with:

  • Objects
  • Magic tricks
  • Balloons
  • Animals
  • Nothing at all

Circus Clowns

What a professional clown does really depends on where he is performing. For example, most clowns that you find in a circus are the clowns that want to make people laugh. These clowns work with each other around the rings to entertain the audience while the transition is made between acts. Clowns can also have performances such as fitting many different clowns in a small car. People love clowns at a circus.

Some of the other skills that are performed by professional clowns in a circus are:

  • Walking a tightrope
  • Riding a horse, zebra, elephant or any variety of animals
  • Taking the role of a lion tamer
  • Acting as an emcee

Circus clowns can also be acrobats or simply part of the audience if the role calls for it.

Rodeo Clowns

At a rodeo though, the clown is more of a hobo type that not only entertains, but is there to serve the purpose of getting the bulls away from a rider who has fallen off so that they can get out of the arena safely. This professional clown must have strength, be quick on his feet, and be aware of his surroundings at all times.

Traveling Clowns

There are also professional clowns that just work various events around the country. These clowns are in the gag business, if you will, with certain gags that act as clown comedy. These bits are sketches that use correct timing and physical comedy to amuse audiences. These include prop stunts such as tripping over their own feet that are made up of large plastic shoes, riding clown bikes, and even being shot out of a cannon.

Of course, one cannot forget the everyday and more traditional entertainment that professional clowns provide. These include:

  • Face painting
  • Storytelling
  • Game hosting
  • Making balloon animals

What it comes down to is that professional clowns are there to make people laugh and bring joy to everyone watching. From the mundane clown skits to the absolute extreme job of bullfighting, professional clowns do it all.

With the proper training, a professional clown can go from hosting a child’s birthday party to literally being the main act in the most popular circus in the world. It takes dedication, hard work, a lot of learning and the ability to try anything and everything for the profession of clowning.

The copyright of the article What a Professional Clown Does in Career Advice is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish What a Professional Clown Does in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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