How to Be Circus Clown - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 8, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Circus clowns have a long and important history of entertaining audiences. Their zany antics, costumes, and gags have been captivating audiences for centuries. One of the most essential elements of a circus performance is a clown, without whom the show would be incomplete.

The presence of clowns in a circus can have a variety of effects. Firstly, they provide comic relief from the intense acrobatics and animal acts. This helps to break up the show and keeps the audience engaged.

Secondly, clowns add to the overall atmosphere of the circus, creating a lighthearted and fun environment for everyone to enjoy. Lastly, clowns often use slapstick comedy and physical humor to bring joy and laughter to the audience. This can help to create a memorable experience for all who attend.

In short, circus clowns are an important part of any circus performance, as they provide an essential element of entertainment that would otherwise be missing.

Steps How to Become

Research the different types of clowns in the circus. Determine what type of clown you would like to be and find out what is required to become that type of clown.
Develop your clown character. Consider the different elements of your clown character such as their name, skills, look, and personality.
Practice your clowning skills. Work on juggling, pratfalls, physical comedy, magic tricks, and other skills that may be associated with your chosen clown type.
Train with a professional clown or circus school. Many professional clowns and circus schools offer classes and workshops in clowning and performance.
Create a portfolio of your work and character. Include photos, videos, bios, and other materials that will showcase your clown character and skills.
Network with other clowns and circus professionals. Attend conventions and workshops to make connections in the industry.
Submit your portfolio to circuses or other venues that hire clowns. Visit the websites of major circuses to find out how to submit applications for potential employment.
Participate in auditions or casting calls for clowns. Prepare a short clown performance for these auditions to demonstrate your skills and character.

As a circus clown, it is essential to stay up to date and competent in order to keep a steady audience. To do this, staying informed about the latest trends and keeping up with the changing times is key. Furthermore, seeking out new knowledge and different resources can help broaden ones horizons and provide better ideas for entertaining the crowd.

practicing and perfecting existing skills and honing in on new ones is critical for remaining competitive in the market. Finally, networking with other circus clowns and professionals in the industry can help one stay connected and informed of the new skills they need to stay relevant. By staying informed, practicing, and networking, a circus clown can stay updated and competent in their field.

You may want to check Circus Stilt Walker, Circus Social Media Coordinator, and Circus Sound Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Entertainer - Perform a variety of entertaining acts such as juggling, magic tricks, acrobatics, clowning, and other physical comedy.
Gag Writer - Write jokes, skits, and humorous short stories for the clown's performance.
Costume Designer - Create and design costumes for the clown's performances.
Facepainter - Paint faces and apply temporary tattoos on audience members.
Prop Maker - Create props and decorations for the clown's performance.
Balloon Artist - Create balloon sculptures and animals for audience members.
Animal Handler - Train and handle animals used in the clowns performance.
Driver/Transporter - Transport the clown and their equipment to different venues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Basic clowning skills
Comedy timing
Juggling
Physical comedy
Acrobatics
Animal training
Makeup application
Character acting
Unicycling
Slapstick
Audience interaction
Music knowledge
Ventriloquism
Magic tricks
Safety awareness

Circus clowns are an essential part of the entertainment at a circus, and the most important skill they need to possess is the ability to entertain people. This includes having a good sense of comedic timing, a knack for improvisation, and the capacity to work with other performers. Being a clown also requires physical dexterity and the ability to do stunts, tricks, and acrobatics.

Furthermore, a successful clown needs to be able to engage with the audience and make them laugh. To do this, clowns need to be able to create humorous scenarios that the audience will enjoy, as well as come up with jokes and comedy routines on the spot. In addition, a clown must be able to put on an entertaining show and be able to read the crowd to know when to change up their act.

Being a good clown is more than just wearing a costume and makeup; it requires having many skills, from acting to physical comedy, in order to really make people laugh.

Circus Rigging Technician, Circus Groundskeeper, and Circus Juggler are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in performing as a clown?
What is your funniest clown gag or joke?
How would you engage a large crowd of children with your clown act?
Have you ever encountered a difficult situation while performing as a clown? How did you handle it?
What creative ideas do you have for new clown skits or routines?
Tell us about the most memorable clown performance you have done.
What kind of preparation do you undertake before performing as a clown?
How do you handle heckling or other disruptive behavior from audience members during a clown performance?
How do you stay in character and keep your audience engaged during a long clown performance?
Are you comfortable working with animals as part of a clown act?

Common Tools in Industry

Makeup Kit. A collection of face paints, body paints, and other accessories used to create different clown looks. (eg: colorful face paint, red clown nose, and rainbow wig)
Costume. A colorful and vibrant outfit worn by clowns to perform their acts. (eg: baggy pants, patterned shirt, and oversized hat)
Props. Clown-specific props used to add humor and entertainment to a show. (eg: juggling balls, unicycle, and slapstick)
Music. Clowns may use a variety of music to accompany their acts. (eg: clown-themed songs, upbeat tunes, and sound effects)
Performance Skills. Clowns must have a variety of skills in order to entertain an audience. (eg: physical comedy, juggling, and magic tricks)

Professional Organizations to Know

Clowns of America International (COAI)
World Clown Association (WCA)
Association of Circus Proprietors of America (ACPA)
International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO)
The Professional Clowns of Great Britain (PCGB)
The International Jugglers' Association (IJA)
The Fédération Internationale des Échassiers et Jongleurs (FIEJ)
The International Association of Circus Performers (IACP)
The European Juggling Association (EJA)

We also have Circus Illusionist, Circus Costume Designer, and Circus Animal Caretaker jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Clowning. The art of entertaining an audience with comedy, juggling, and acrobatics.
Juggling. The art of keeping multiple objects in the air at the same time.
Acrobatics. The skill of performing physical feats such as flips, tumbling, and contortion.
Makeup. The use of cosmetics to enhance ones facial features for theatrical performances.
Costumes. An outfit worn to portray a character or enhance a performance.
Gags. A joke or trick used to elicit laughter from an audience.
Physical Comedy. The use of body movements and facial expressions to create humor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Circus Clown?

A circus clown is a performer who wears outrageous clothing and makeup and entertains crowds with physical comedy, juggling, pranks, and other entertaining acts.

How many types of Circus Clowns are there?

There are typically two types of circus clowns: whiteface clowns and Auguste clowns. Whiteface clowns wear more elaborate costumes, makeup, and wigs, while Auguste clowns wear more simple costumes and makeup.

What are some of the skills that Circus Clowns need?

Circus clowns must have a variety of skills including physical comedy, acrobatics, juggling, pranks, improvisation, and interacting with audiences.

How long does it take to become a professional Circus Clown?

It can take years of practice and dedication to become a professional circus clown. It takes time to learn the tricks and skills necessary to be successful in the circus industry.

How much money do Circus Clowns make?

The amount of money that circus clowns make varies depending on the type of show they work for, their experience, and their skill level. Generally, experienced circus clowns can make up to $20 or more per hour.