What is “It” than makes a performer shine? What is “It” that makes that one person stand out in the crowd and get a standing ovation? “It’s” not the costume and make-up. “It’s” not the skills or the props. “It’s” not their presentation skills. In fact, “it’s” not even talent!

Although these things are important, the answer is much deeper and has to do with class, charisma, personality, stage presence, communication skills, and a fun and lively attitude towards their art form.

Consider these Standouts

When Leon Mc Bryde walks on a stage the audience immediately falls in love with “Buttons,” the character he created. He doesn’t do magic tricks or perform any type of fancy skills. His special magic comes from within, from inside his clown soul… and that keeps his audiences spellbound.

Dave “Mr. Rainbow” Barlett, with his simple costume and make-up and special sense of humor, can work a crowd better than anyone I know. People love Dave and just can’t get enough of him. And when Suzy hammer, the “Pink Fairy” walks into a room everyone smiles.

Of course, some performers are very skillful. Consider Oscar “Timmy Bond” Flores, Carol “Clarol” Crooks and ‘Chagy” who excel in every imaginable skill. But it’s not their skill that people remember. It is their likable and friendly personality that endears them to their audiences. My own character, “Mama Clown,” is kind but witty and this combination creates a wonderful rapport with most audiences.

How to Create a Performing Persona

Creating our performing character is a journey of self-discovery. We become what we believe. In order to fully develop our performing personality we must have clarity about the person and character that we want to be. Once we have clarity, then we are driven to fulfill that vision.

Character development is not a quick or easy process. It doesn’t happen overnight. What is amazing and hard to believe is that it takes an average of 13 years to get in touch with the clown within us and a lifetime to perfect that character.

Developing that Special Something

So, how exactly do we learn to create that special kind of magic that stands out in a crowd? How do we learn to shine?

First, we begin with the basics. We learn how to apply our make-up and put together a costume that will be appealing to the eye. Next, we develop our ability to write skits and master some magic tricks. And we practice these skills until we get them right.

And then, one day it dawns on us. Being funny is a serious business and is not as simple as it sounds. We come to understand that what it takes to succeed as an entertainer cannot be taught and that being charismatic is like being photogenic, either you are or your not.

The mannerisms that makes our characters tick, our “look,” and the sparkle in our eyes tell a lot about who we are and what makes us unique. When our characters and our souls become one, then everything clicks and our actions become second nature to us. That is the magic that captivates and audience.

Think about it, why does everybody love Lucy? She was, in her own way, a clown. What is it that made her so lovable and unforgettable through the years?

Have you ever watched Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean? His childlike innocence combined with character witty problem solving skills makes me cry laughing.

Michael “Coco” Polacovs is living proof that once you get ‘it’ you never loose ‘it’. In his 80’s he walks on to a stage a stage and after a half a decade of performing he still manages to mesmerize an audience with his lovable stage persona.

Become a Student of Character

Take time to observe and study those performers that touch your heart when they walk on stage. Become a student and learn from the character they created. Try to discern what is it that makes that performer unique.

Make notes and consider how you can make your own character as unique and likable as that of your heroes. And remember, it’s okay to change. In fact, you should keep on changing and trying new things until it feel right to YOU. If you are consistent on your quest of self discovery, you will one day be rewarded with a true understanding of your own unique clown character.

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Have fun in everything you do and do it with enthusiasm! Take time to love yourself and to do what you like. Take time to nourish the relationships in your life and to give to others. Get in touch with your Higher Power. Each of these things have nothing to do with, and yet, everything to do with clowning. They will help you become the best that you can be in and out of make-up.

Finally, be patient with yourself. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Remember, It’s not the destination but the journey that counts!

It seems that clowns are a trend, at least when it comes to commercials. Last week we featured a story that discussed the Walmart Clown Ad.

Not to be outdone, kgb has released it’s own commercial featuring clowns. In case your not familiar with the kgb service, the idea is pretty simple. Use your mobile phone to text a question to the kgb service and for 99 cents you get the answer texted to your phone. Their selling point is that kgb is more efficient that searching the web.

The commercial, which is rumored to be airing during this year’s Super Bowl, features two clowns, one looks very professional and shows children enjoying his performance. The other performer has clown makeup that looks like something out of a horror movie, and of gets similar restults.

So, what do you think? Are commercials like this good for business, or will they make people hesitant to hire a clown for their children’s party? Do they contribute to coulrophobia? Share your ideas in the comment area below.

“Everybody loves a clown, so why don’t you?” was the question asked by Gary Lewis and the Playboys back in 1965 as they sang on the Ed Sullivan Show. And it’s a great question for those of us who entertain as clowns to ask as well.

Throughout history, people have loved clowns. But recently there seems to be an increase in the number of people who fear clowns. What could be causing people to develop such an aversion to red-nosed entertainers?

What Exactly is Coulrophobia?

Coulrophobia is the official term for the fear of clowns. This Wikipedia article on coulrophobia states the condition is common among children but also found in teens and adult and can cause physical reaction including difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nausea.

In addition to fearing clowns, it seems that recently mocking clowns is becoming a national pastime. Consider the following commercial recently aired by Walmart:

3 Reasons People Fear Clowns

Everybody loves a clown, so why don’t you?
Everybody laughs at the things that I say and do.
They all laugh when they say me coming,
But you don’t laugh; you just go home running.

Everybody loves a clown, so why can’t you?
A clown has feelings too.

There are several theories, but little definitive research as to why people develop an irrational fear of clowns.

• Certainly the sinister portrayal of clowns in the media can contribute to this condition.
• Another theory is that people fear clowns because it is impossible to gauge a clown’s emotions and consequently, his intentions. Kathryn Cillick
• A third reason is that the individual had a bad experience with a clown at some point in in their lives – reference the Walmart video above.

3 Things You Can Do to Help Create a Fear of Clowns

• Forget that you are a big person in a scary costume. Young children have had little experience with clowns. We must be careful to gauge our actions, the volume of our voice, and what we say to insure that the child has a pleasant experience.
• Make the child the punch line of your humor. Many “sucker gags” are designed to make the child the brunt of the joke. For example, you have a child blow on a feather flower and it wilts. The implication is that the child has bad breath. Of course the audience will laugh, but the child is embarrassed. Instead, whenever possible, make sure the joke is on you.
• Make sure your makeup and costume look scary. Too many of our colleagues give little thought to their makeup. There’s no other way to say it, they just look scary. Make sure you spend time developing a face and outfit that will be appealing to your audience.

Why do you think people develop a fear of clowns? As professional entertainers, what can we do to help develop a love for the art of clowning? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you apply Mascara to your eyelashes, place your mirror on the counter top, bend over and apply your mascara while looking down into the mirror. Those little black specs of mascara will fall onto the mirror instead of your clown makeup leaving you a spec free face. It’s easy to wipe the specs off the mirror…… Enjoy.

Here’s a controversial statement: Not every show we do should revolve around balloon art, face painting and magic. Too many times we, as clowns, put too much stock into the “old stand bys”. The result, many performers have shows that look a lot like those of other entertainers in their market. Yes, I know a lot of time and money has gone into face paints, balloons and magic props, however, I think that in order to be competitive in today ’s market you must be more than a “face painting magical balloon maker”.

The only balloons in my Fun Time Show are the six inch ones stuffed into a pair of “long john underwear” and the eleven inch ones that must be blown up and then burst by sitting on them. And guess what, no face painting or magic in the show. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with face painting and magic. What I am saying is that with a little thought, you can add routines to your show that will make it stand out in a market where many performers’ shows look strikingly similar.

Let me give you an example from my show. I have two contestants put on “long john underwear” and then have each pick a partner. The partner stuffs as many balloons as they can into the underwear one at a time. The team that has stuffed the most balloons is the winner. I count the balloons by breaking them, with a pin, while they remain in the underwear and on the contestant. Here’s another example. When doing the “balloon Bust” routine where the participants pop a balloon by sitting on the it, I have each contestant wear a Halloween mask and blow the balloon up through the mouth of the mask.

Need some more ideas? How about a bubble gum blowing contest? The bubble gum is placed on a plate and covered with whip cream. The contestants, who are wearing “baby cheeks/fun cheeks”, have to get the gum in their mouth without touching the gum with their hands and be the first to blow a bubble. I first saw this done by Mama Clown. Messy but fun!

Another favorite routine from my shows is the “Boxer Contest”. I put boxing gloves on two contestants. They must then put on “Boxer Shorts” while wearing the boxing gloves. I usually have to repeat this event two or three times because almost everyone wants to give it a try.

These are only a few ideas from my “Fun Time Show”. Add these ideas to your show and have some good ole fashion fun. Are these events new? No! They are just some of the things we have forgotten about. Why have they been forgotten? Because we have been too busy trying to be magicians, balloonist and face painters instead of “funsters and pranksters”

Yes, I do magic and balloons but they are only part of what I am as a clown. The simple message: Be all you can be not what everyone else is.

As entertainers, we should honor our craft by always looking our best and by giving our audience our best performance. Unfortunately, you don’t have to look far to see performers who create a bad impression. For example, I frequently see balloon and restaurant entertainers with dirty hands and fingernails. And you don’t have to look far to find clowns who forget how a magic trick works.

An Example from the Speaking World

Recently, while working as a speaker at a large convention in South Dakota, I had an early morning appointment the meeting planner to check out the venue. Now, although professional speaking is a little like being a clown with a tie on, I always try to look professional. For this meeting I wore business casual to create a good impression on the boss.

As we were chatting, I happened to glance up to see the other presenter, who oddly enough had been hired to speak on making ‘Fantastic First Impressions,’ approaching us. This fellow had “bed head” and pillow lint stuck to his unshaven face. He was dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. I can assure you that my first impression of this gentleman was anything but fantastic.

Tips for Creating a Fantastic First Impression

The first step is to lay out all of the costume material, makeup and wardrobe needed for the event. I check carefully to see that all items are clean and in good repair. After a fresh shower and shave, I then get into makeup and costume paying particular attention to little details in my makeup. Of course, I also carry some touch up makeup and wipes for emergencies.

In addition to looking my best, I want to be at my highest performing level. To help me do my best, I make sure to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Remember, when you are thirsty, your body is already deprived. Performers who are lacking water will tire faster and therefore not able to do the best job possible for their show.

Little Routines can Make a Big Difference

One final way I seek to honor our craft is to shine my shoes for each and every program. It may seem unnecessary to you, but it gives me the sense of pride that I am preparing adequately for the presentation.

And of course, I take extra care to make sure the back of my shoes are the shiniest. After all, the backs are the last thing your audience will see as I am walking away.

So remember, always strive look your best and do your best and you’ll make a fantastic first impression on your audience!

Now it’s your turn. Be sure to share your wardrobe and makeup tips in the comments below.

If have problems with makeup on your lips wearing off, try a good lip-liner to the entire lip, and then apply the greasepaint over the lip-liner and powder as usual.

I make my living bringing laughter to others and I practice what I preach as often as I can. Our world is changing and becoming a more dangerous and stressful place. Because of recent events, our lives have changed in many ways. If I can bring a little laughter into a person’s day, I feel that I’ve made the world a better place. In other words, I always try to be ready with a quick comment or gag. So how do I do this? Simple, what seem to be spur of the moment ad-libs are planned well ahead of time.

Fun at the Airport

Let’s take the airport for example. Security measures have increased dramatically when traveling by air. Gate agents, pilots, flight attendants, and security personnel all have a considerably elevated amount of stress at work. Naturally I believe it is my duty to bring more joy to their work environment. A couple of ways I do that is to present an Elvis Presley drivers license as my ID at each security point. It gets a good laugh. From time to time they will respond in kind by sending me through the search procedure again. I also have a small red dot on my driver’s license picture. As security personnel examine it, I reach into my pocket and put on a red clown nose. They look at the license, and then they look at me with the clown nose on. It brings them an extra couple laughs in their otherwise stressful day.

I also have a button that reads "Ask me about my vow of silence." From time to time a brave person will say, "OK, tell me about your vow of silence." I just stare at them. This is always good for a laugh. I love to have fun in the airplane emergency exit row. I sit in the aisle seat with a pair of those wrap around sunglasses, you know, the kind that the senior citizens sometimes wear. These glasses make me look visually impaired. When the flight attendant approaches me and asks if I can operate the emergency exit door, I look up and ask, "Who’s talking?" Often when I board the plane I pass by the pilots who are already in the their seats. I take that opportunity to say "I’m behind you 100%!"

Now if I want to sit by myself, I just take out an airsick bag, open it up, hold it in front of me, mess up my hair and try to look real serious. For some strange reason no one wants to sit with me then. When I fly on the smaller planes, I love to imitate the flight attendant because I’ve seen it so much. Many times they will ask me if I want to give the directions

How to Convince Your Waiter that You are Insane

The next area you can have fun is in public restaurants. When I am greeted by the hostess and asked where I want to sit I tell her the non-smoking, big tipping section. They get a big chuckle from that. When the server arrives to introduce him or herself, I respond with, "My name is Steve and I’ll be your customer today." Then I introduce everyone at the table, and quiz the server as to who everyone is. It’s a lot of fun. From time to time, if I’m at a restaurant with friends I’ll just stand at my table, pick up an empty glass and bang it with a spoon and say, "May I have your attention please?" Then, when they all stop talking and look at me, I say, "Thank you. I just wanted a little attention." Also at a restaurant you can surprise your friends by placing an empty coffee cup on a saucer. Place a spoon through the handle and as you are holding the saucer, hold onto the end of the spoon. Then gesture with the coffee cup, tip it a little and release the cup from the saucer and it will dangle by the spoon. It will give the appearance that you have spilled coffee on someone. But only do this if you know how to administer CPR.

What I really love to do best at a restaurant is to take a bread roll, hide it below the table, and stick a fork in it. Then, I hold the end of the fork with my right finger and thumb behind an outstretched napkin. I hold it in front of me so that the roll is in the center of the napkin. Then I rotate my thumb and the roll pops up from behind the napkin and gives the appearance it is floating in air. Someone will ask how I make the roll float. I tell him or her that the secret is simple . . . it’s made with self-rising flour.

I make my living bringing laughter to others and I practice what I preach as often as I can. Our world is changing and becoming a more dangerous and stressful place. Because of recent events, our lives have changed in many ways. If I can bring a little laughter into a person’s day, I feel that I’ve made the world a better place. In other words, I always try to be ready with a quick comment or gag. So how do I do this? Simple, what seem to be spur of the moment ad-libs are planned well ahead of time.