Tips From Hickory's Clown Alley

Clowns are a caring - sharing group of people. We share our time and talents with those in need of laughter, and we share our routines and experiences with each other. This page is a compilation of Hickory's Tip of the Week, and is a series of contribution from people like you, and from my own experiences. Please read through this and other "tip" pages. You are welcome to use any of the ideas or routines that may be presented here, however, there is no guarantees that what you read here will work as described. Also, any make-up or other tips are presented as-is at face value, and I cannot be held liable for anything that might result from their use. Enough legality. Please read, enjoy and grow in your clown....

Jan 3 - Jan 10, 1998 Here's a Thought from the Guest Book: "I just started my second character, Goldi-dots. I have two clowns and I have found this to be beneficial. I have found that different children like different types of clowns. Beebo is an older clown with a colorful three piece suit. Goldi-dots is three years old and wears a dress with major polka-dots, and she has a stuffed animal. I find girls like Goldi better, and small children too. This helps in a small town. I just did two birthday parties for the same family, a week apart, and I was able to use each clown each week with different shows.

For the most comfort, sit down in a chair and have the children stand in front of you if their height is eye level to yours or have them kneel down in from if they are taller. Use your clown shoes or a small pillow to cushion their knees. If you are worried about hygiene, put a few drops of alcohol in your water and change the water often Keep brushes wrapped in a baby wipe. The moisture will keep them good longer.

Keep your brushes in a small soap box. For crowd control - get a roll of stickers. Mark a number on each of them and give each child a sticker with a number on it. The stickers can be placed on your table and the mothers can help themselves. If you forget your stickers, using the paint, write a number on each child's hand. If you need to stop at a certain time - stop giving numbers a half hour to fifteen minutes before you have to leave (depending on the crowd). Have a small token to give to those kids you will not have time to paint.

Mama Clown is one of the Master Face Painters of our craft. Visit her WWW site a http://members.aol.com/mamaclown2/

Jan 24 - Feb 1 Sent via Guest Book: Many clowns have problems with losing the makeup from the mouth area. Prior to applying the red greasepaint, apply a good lip-liner to the entire lip, and then apply the greasepaint over the lip-liner and powder as usual. Be sure the lips are dry when the lip-liner is applied, and don't lick the lips between the liner and greasepaint. This is a trick used by professional models, and it really helps the color on the lips to last longer. If your clown's lips are black, you can use a black liner pencil.

Feb 1 - Feb 7 Once again I am reminded of how important it is to attend clowning conventions. On Saturday 31 Jan, I had the good fortune to attend one day of the January Jamboree sponsored by Clown City. Strolling through the Dealers Room, I was exposed to new toys, ideas and prompts. I must say, I left more money in that room than I intended, but no more than I expected. But the real benefit is the knowledge gained through attending the seminars. Some of the best names in clowning, Steve Kissel, Duane Laflin and BeBe the Clown kept us in stitches while teaching about magic, gospel routines and hospital clowning. Though I didn't compete, seeing other clowns' costumes and makeup is always an education, and the skits were entertaining as well. Next chance you get - attend a conference. A week of fun and education you will never forget.

Feb 8 - 14 For a different look in clown noses, why not try a foam cat toy ball. I use a rainbow colored ball that I hollowed out in such a way that it fits my nose (with a thin elastic strap, or sticky stuff). There are a lot of noses out there disguised as toy's - just look around.

Use background music as you face paint. Calliope music is good, but sing-alongs are better. Jokes are a great way to entertain as you face paint. Learn a few. Share them with the kids. If you are in a rush: start with the fastest designs. Ask who would like to be a kitty - most of the kids probably do not want to have kitties but they do want to be first. Pick 4 or 5 kids and do them assembly line style - all at the same time. Repeat this a couple of times to take care of half the crowd fast. Then proceed as normal.

Feb 21 - Feb 28 When dealing with kids take it slow in the beginning. Many times I think, performers feel that since they are on the "clock", so to speak, they have to get right smack in the middle of the show. In other words going from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. I feel it is better to take the extra couple of minutes to build a rapport with the kids. The end result will be a better, more relaxed and trusting audience. The finished product will stay with the kid's longer than if you tried to hurry it and force it to happen. If your going to make a good pot of chili it usually works better if you let it cook a while, same with the perfomance.

Have baby wipes with you at all times. They are useful to clean your hands, brushes, dirty faces, wipe off paint etc ... Always leave your work area as clean as you found it Be careful not to place the baby wipes or anything wet directly on top of fine furniture or tablecloths. Keep a small plastic bag to use as a surface

When in costume (or even out of costume) carry with you a small mirror that you can hold in your hand. With the mirror cupped in your hands, walk up to a child or adult and say, "Do you want to see somebody very special? But you can't tell anybody who it is." When they say "Yes", open your hands so they can see themselves! Move on to the next person and repeat the routine again. Guaranteed for loads of laughs and wonderfully warm smiles.

To cut down a little on makeup on the collars, blend down the flesh. Put it about half way down the neck and simply blend downward. If you blend correctly you will not notice the transition from base makeup to skin. You will still get a little makeup on your collar but not as much. Your whole neck is covered, just not as heavy around the collar.

Another idea for reducing and/or totally eliminating makeup getting on the collar or neckline of your clown's clothing, for any type of clown, is to wear a turtleneck top as an undershirt under the costume. MO is whiteface and wears a white turtleneck top, from which I cut the sleeves, under her clothing. I also keep a long sleeved turtleneck top to wear when working outside in cool weather. The turtleneck top can match your makeup color, or coordinate with your costume. I suggest white or a pastel for whiteface's because the white that rubs off onto the turtleneck is visible on a dark color. Mock turtleneck tops don't work quite as well. If you don't want to wear a full turtleneck top, a lightweight turtleneck dickey can serve the same purpose.

After attending this years WCA convention, I am reminded of how important conventions are to the growth of your clown. In addition to having alot of fun, making friends and playing in the dealer room, conventions provide you with the opportunity to learn through competition, swapping tales and studying under some of the greatest names in clowning. If you ever have the opportunity to attend a convention, whether it be regional, national or international - following up on that opportunity. You'll be glad that you did. Visit the Events Page to find a convention near you.

At the WCA convention, Pricilla Mooseburger gave a talk on costumes. One of the things I carried away from there was her tip on buying fabric if you are making a costume. Pricilla recommended that you buy the entire bolt instead of just what you need. You will probably get a better price per yard, and you will always have extra on hand in case something needs to be fixed or you want to make an accessory. Also, she advised that material designs are frequently recycled. If you go back to find that fabric again, it may not be there for another couple of years. If you get a chance attend a Mooseburger Caravan seminar, it will be worth your investment. Also, Visit the Events Page to find a convention near you.

To make sharpening soft make-up pencils easier, try keeping them in the freezer!

Dry rouge in red or bright pink is a terrific way to add color with out all the trouble of blending wet make-up. Apply after you have set your make-up with powder.

Prepare your skin before applying make-up. Always start with a clean face. Dry skin may need a mousturizer. Oily skin will benefit by wiping it down with witch hazel on a cotton pad.

Be sure to pat out any creases in your make-up right before you powder. A sponge applicator can assist in getting make-up into loose folds of skin.

Be sure you take off your make-up corretly! Try professional make-up removers such as liquid or cream based and massage gently. Use Soft Baby wipes for clean up. Paper towels can be rough on delicate skin around your eyes.

After doing a show, birthday party or any other type of gig, send a little "Thank You" card. It's not only good advertising, but it'll make 'em smile one more time.

If you're using a ProKnows nose, if the paint gets scratched or scuffed, they are exactly the same color as red Sharpie permanent markers! It's a quick and easy way to do touch ups that dry right away. (I'm starting to think Sharpie Markers are my clown alley's best friends. ;) )

Thank You Polly Wogg! Polly Wogg the Clown's New and Improved Website! http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Dell/6543

Here's a tip taken for granted. I was recently asked by a client to do his middle daughter's party on an up-coming weekend. I said I would and gathered all the info I would need such as her age, number of kids, location, when they planned on having cake and opening presents, etc. The weekend came and I arrived on schedule carrying my suitcase show and giant "BIRTHDAY IN PROGRESS" sign. Imagine my surprise when I was told there was no birthday, that the celebration was a religious one, the daughter's first communion. Thankfully I had a show generic enough to adapt and did so instantly. The tip: Make sure you know for sure what kind of party your doing!

For the vast majority of clowns, this is not our profession. In a busy month we may have two or three gigs. As a result, our skills loose their edge, our timing is off, and we may pay less attention to our props then we should. Regardless of how often we perform, all clowns are responsible for being professionals. This means we keep our costumes clean, our routines rehearsed and our props clean and in good working order. When you work a birthday party, grand opening or local fair - you represent all of clowndom. Make us proud.

This is a request for the more experienced clown, share your skills with members of your Alley or other clowns you may come in contact with. Clowns are the most sharing performing artists, with skills that touch on acting, singing, dancing, juggling, comedy, painting, magic, tumbling, costume design ... Nobody can be an expert in all things, but if you are knowledgeable about any of these areas, share. We as a clowning community, will benefit - you and your students will benefit - the people whose lives you will touch benefit too.

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Geoff "Hickory" Turner

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