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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.
About TomKing
Tom King is West Virginia’s premier family entertainer with skills in the arts of clowning, comedy magic, balloon sculpturing and stilt walking. He is the author of the book Clown Soup and has been published in the Funny Paper, The New Calliope, Clowning Around, Circus Magic E-Mag and Big Top entertainment publications.
Contact Tom at: thehumorman@yahoo.com or Visit Tom's Website
{ 3 comments }
Tom, great article. As Holiday The Clown, I don't have face painting or balloons in my show, only on request for face painting this is than and added charge and time. I give them an interactive show also. I am old school some will say, but my show is games and fun with clowning. I get the bookings and the cost of balloons and facepainting supplies are not overhead. I am in full grease and full clown costume, I am 60 and it's not too hot and my skin wrinkle free because I wear full grease daily. My show mainly total profit, less the cost of gas and taxes. Something to think about………………..
Thanks Tom for a great artical! I am inspired to see shows that don't include becoming a balloon factory! Tim "Foop" Wells
Great, except for the balloon part. I've had too many blow up on me, while inflating them for birthdays, when I worked in activities at a nursing home. One even left a red mark on my arm for days. I prefer attaching pens to my glasses and/or wearing a Patch Adams type outfit and doing his kind of one on one work (I've seen clips of him getting political on a show and arrogant about how much he believes he thinks, as he should lose the funny clothes when doing that).
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