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The world needs fun and laughter. It is a life-expanding source
of energy that unites, heals, and bonds people. It rejuvenates all
our energy levels - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
The more fun we are having in our roles, the more the audience will
relate & relax.
DEC
'02 • SPECIAL TREAT:
"Christmas Eve at the Clown Alley
of London:
Composed by "MisQuote" (Judy Carscadden)"
T’was
the night before Christmas and all through the towns,
Not one creature is stirring ...... but wait, where’s the
clowns?
They should all be safely tucked in to sleep
And dreaming of Santa or else counting sheep!
But clowns do the expected? SILLY, they are AB NORMAL,
When an invitation says "casual", then they go as
"formal".
DEE DEE and WEE WEE (they’re twins, did you guess?)
Are getting all ready but in just one dress!
They’re taking this togetherness just a little too far
But of course, they are clowns, and so they’re bizarre!
BIG MOE and LITTLE MOE, that mischievous twosome,
Are getting themselves ready (oh, this is gruesome!)
To double the RAINBOWs in BETTY BUBBLES
So watch when you blow some, now I call that troubles!
Snuggled down in some CLOVER and looking quite comfy,
Who could it be? It looks like it’s HUMPHY.
SNAZZY SUE and RASCAL busy looking for candy,
Find a LITTLE BIT of JU-JUBE and GUMDROP just dandy.
BO BO’s making a sandwich, now that isn’t fair
He just gets a BT ’cause there’s no lettuce in there!
DOTSY is using a big POWDERPUFF
To put on the mustard! Now that’s quite enough!!
CURLY is combing those remaining few hairs,
While JR and IKEY are sneaking downstairs,
They’ve heard that Santa is coming tonight
And they want to see him; now that’s just not right!
‘Cause if you can see him then it can’t be magic,
And Christmas gets canceled. Now that would be tragic!!
Now Santa is watching the time FLUTTERBYE,
And thinks to himself, "I guess I’ll just try
To slip in unnoticed and leave them some tricks
’Cause I C-MORE than silliness in this pile of bricks.
There’s laughter and goodness in the heart of a clown
And I’m going to CHECK MARK coming back to this town!
The Clown Alley of London’s the best place to be
And I’ll see if they’ll consider a membership for
me!"
Rudolph said, "Santa, I think it’s OK
To slide down the chimney ’cause soon t’will be day
And, look, SIR, JUSTIN TIME, all the clowns are now sleeping
And you, Sir, can fly now, your schedule keeping.
They won’t hear the JINGLES of bells on your sleigh
As the WINGS of your reindeer pull you, Sir, away"
Then Santa exclaimed as he pulled out of town
"HOPPY Christmas to all and God bless every clown!"
Composed by MisQuote (Judy Carscadden) |
PRAYER
OF A CLOWN
Lord as I stumble through this life,
Help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more happiness than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.
Never
let me grow so big that
I will fail to see the wonder in the eyes of a child
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.
Never
let me forget that I am a CLOWN...
that my work is to cheer people up,
make them happy, and make them laugh,
make them forget, at least for a moment,
all the unpleasant things in their lives.
Never
let me jeopardize the integrity
of clowndom by improper conduct.
Help me to always make others
proud of my actions as a clown.
Never
let me acquire financial success
to the point where I will discontinue
calling upon my Creator in the hour of plenty.
And
LORD, in my final moment,
may I hear YOU whisper:
"When you made MY PEOPLE smile,
you made ME smile
- - Author Unknown
| CLOWN
SONG
"Did You Ever See A Clown"
--Original Author Unknown
Sung to: "Did You Ever See A Lassie?"
Did you
ever see a clown,
A clown, a clown?
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
Move this way and that way,
Move this way and that way.
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
(Have children form circle. One child in middle should perform
actions. Take turns.) |
|
RED
SKELTON
(Farewell address from
TV series)
The time has come to say goodnight,
My how time does fly.
We've had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
and now we hear goodbye.
I really hate to say goodnight,
for times like these are few.
I wish you love and happiness,
In everything you do.
The
time has come to say goodnight,
I hope I've made a friend.
And so we'll say "May God bless you,"
Until we meet again.
A
CLOWNS BLESSING
May your nose be red and shiny,
And your smile always bright.
May
your cheeks be nice & rosy,
Your eyes sparkle in the light.
May
your shoes be always too big,
Your costume be perma-pressed,
Your
heart overflow with laughter,
Every time your clown is dressed.
May
face paint be at the ready,
And your balloons be "easy-blow".
May
children run to greet you,
Wherever you may go.
--Author
Unknown
| CLOWN
"LINGO"
JOEY: All clowns are nicknamed Joey, after the father
of modern
clowning, Joseph Grimaldi.
FIRST OF MAY: A beginning clown in their first season.
Usually referring to a new performer in the circus.
CLOWN ALLEY: Clown Alley was originally the part of
the circus tent where the clowns kept their trunks with costumes
and props lined up and there was only an alley way to walk
through. Now it is also used to call a group or club of clowns.
WHITE FACE CLOWN: White face clowns are exactly what
the name implies. They traditionally play the straight man
in comedy. He wears very neat and matching colored clothes.
But now-a-days they can also play the goof.
AUGUSTE CLOWN: The word "Auguste" means Clown
in French and German. He is the wacky goof character always
stirring up trouble and it backfires on him. He wears clothes
that are either too big or too small, not matching etc. His
face is a flesh color with white around eyes and muzzle (mouth).
The Auguste may also play a straight man, but its not traditional.
HOBO/ TRAMP CLOWN: Clown style depicting the hobos
that road the rails during the great depression era. Their
makeup consists of a flesh based face, with a black, gray,
or brown beard, with white around the mouth to resemble the
soot wiped away. This clown generally apprears in tattered
clothes to give him the appearance of being down on his luck.
CHARACTER CLOWN: This is a catch all category to describe
clown makeup or characters that do not fit strictly into one
of the above categories. They may be a hybrid of one of the
above clown types. This type may even portray any type of
occupation such as a doctor, nurse, an old lady, cowboy etc.
CARING CLOWN: A clown who clowns in venues such as
hospitals, hospices, nursing
homes and places of that nature. Also often used to describe
clowns who do ministry work, or who clown in areas and sites
of Natural Disasters.
PRODUCING CLOWN: A clown is responsible for the writing
of new routines. Often he is also the boss clown, but not
always.
BOSS CLOWN: The clown responsible for co-coordinating
the routines and clown spots in a show or program. Often also
is in charge and responsible to represent the clowns in business
matters and setting up the event or appearance.
CHAIRI- VAIR: An acrobatic clown routine, typically
done by a group of clowns. Often consisting of a series of
acrobatic maneuvers and comedy jumps over a vaulting horse
of a mini trampoline.
PRODUCTION GAG: A large feature gag usually done with
a large group of
clowns, directed by a producing clown.
JAM SESSION: When many performers/clowns gather together,
often
informally, to share information, ideas, and to brainstorm.
DYING OR SUDDEN DEATH: Terms used when a clowns outine
falls flat while he is on stage, or in the middle of a routine.
BUMP A NOSE: Clown translation of the phrase "Break
a leg" |
|
Clown
Creed 2000
Clowning is a performance art. We exist to perform.
Our obligation is to prepare ourselves for effective and entertaining
performances.
The primary expectation of our audiences is that we will bring humor
into their lives. While delivering humor we can also do many important
things such as teach lessons, praise God, help heal troubled souls,
and many other worthwhile things. We do these things within the
context of our art form and with the understanding that our primary
purpose as clowns is to comically entertain.
Clowns
are of human nature. Clowns are not representations of fictional
characters. Clowns are not figments of the imagination. We are human,
we are real and we are alive. The clown is an essential part of
our human soul. We nurture and care for the clown in us so that
it always continues to grow.
We
respect and learn from clowning's rich past. We also understand
that clowning has always changed and grown to adapt to the society
of its day. We must not force artificial constrictions on the development
and advancement of clowning simply in the name of tradition. Conversely
we must not abandon tradition for the mere sake of change. Change
should come as natural extensions and adaptations of our tradition.
Makeup
and costume are merely two of the many tools we use in our clowning.
They are not what define us. Costume and makeup styles do change
and evolve over the years and will continue to do so. This is a
sign of dynamic progress in our art form. No style of makeup or
costume is ultimately right or wrong (except in a historical context).
Its ultimate criteria today is its effectiveness in helping the
clown comically entertain.
Character
development, thought patterns and styles of action are no longer
predetermined by any particular makeup or costume design. Character
development determines makeup and costume choices that highlight
and augment character. Character development determines thought
patterns and range of action appropriate to each situation.
Individuals,
alleys or clown organizations may freely choose to impose upon themselves
restrictions concerning costume, makeup or action. Failure to adhere
to these self imposed restrictions, however, does not preclude anyone
from the enjoyment of participation in the art of clowning. Alley
and organizational rules are applicable only to those who want to
belong to that specific alley or organization and do not speak for
the entire clowning world.
Clowning
is one of the most free and open art forms. It can incorporate aspects
of all other art forms. Clowns are free to show expertise or feign
incompetence. Clowns are free to explore. Clowns are free to succeed
or fail in their endeavors. Clowns are free to laugh and cry. Clowns
are free to relate to young and old.
Clowning
is, and ought to be, inclusive and not restrictive. |
