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

May 18, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Clown entertainers have been around for centuries, bringing laughter and joy to people of all ages. Their presence has a positive effect on everyone, from children to adults. By providing a source of entertainment, clowns can help reduce stress and anxiety levels in people.

They can also help promote social interaction, as clowns often interact with their audiences, encouraging them to join in the fun and laugh along with them. clowns can help create a sense of community by bringing people together in a shared space to enjoy the same activities. Through their performances, clowns can also help educate people on different topics, such as art and history, while still providing amusement.

All of these effects can lead to an overall better quality of life for those who experience it.

Steps How to Become

Take classes in clowning. Consider taking classes to learn the fundamentals of clowning. This can include instruction in makeup techniques, costume design, juggling, balloon art and magic.
Consider joining an organization. Joining an organization such as the World Clown Association will help you to keep up with trends in the industry, get advice from experienced clowns, and connect with other clowns.
Develop your own style. Developing your own unique style is essential for any type of entertainer. Find elements that make you stand out from the crowd and integrate them into your act.
Practice regularly. Spend time honing your craft. Practice your jokes, magic tricks, juggling, balloon animals, and other clowning skills on a regular basis.
Make a portfolio. Put together a portfolio of your best work that you can use to show potential employers or clients.
Market yourself. Take time to market yourself as a clown entertainer. This can include creating a website, attending events to promote your services, or reaching out to potential clients.
Network. Connect with other performers and industry contacts. These connections can help you build a successful career as a clown entertainer.

In order to stay ahead and competent in the field of clown entertainment, it is important to stay up to date on the latest trends and techniques. This includes things like learning popular jokes and gags, researching new ways to engage the audience, staying active on social media, and participating in professional development workshops. Being knowledgeable about these topics keeps clown entertainers at the top of their field and showing their audiences that they are on top of the latest trends.

clown entertainers should also be aware of the industry standards and regulations that they should adhere to, such as health and safety protocols. Following these guidelines not only keeps the audience safe, but also helps maintain a good reputation in the industry. Finally, networking is also essential in order to stay ahead and competent in the field of clown entertainment.

Making connections with like-minded people in the industry is a great way to learn new ideas, share best practices, and get bookings or referrals. All of these steps combined will help ensure that clown entertainers stay ahead and remain competent in their field.

You may want to check Physical Comedy Clown, Birthday Party Clown, and Circus Clown Teacher for alternative.

Job Description

Prepare and maintain props, costumes and equipment for performances.
Plan and develop entertaining routines and activities.
Engage and interact with audiences in a fun and entertaining way.
Perform clown acts, skits and comedic gags.
Perform magic tricks and balloon art.
Create and perform original comedy routines and skits.
Provide face painting services.
Maintain a safe environment while performing.
Keep records of performances and client feedback.
Promote clown entertainment services through various marketing channels.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to engage and entertain children and adults
Ability to work with a wide variety of props including clown costumes, balloons, face paints, and magic tricks
Ability to improvise and come up with creative solutions
Excellent communication and people skills
Good organizational and time management skills
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Knowledge of local, state, and federal health codes and regulations
Ability to interact with parents and guardians in a professional manner
Knowledge of basic First Aid
Knowledge of child safety protocols

One of the most important skills for a clown entertainer to possess is resilience. It is essential for a clown entertainer to have the ability to bounce back from a setback or failure and keep going. A clown entertainer must be able to take constructive criticism and use it to improve their performances.

a clown entertainer must have a positive attitude, as this will help them maintain a cheerful and optimistic outlook in order to create an enjoyable atmosphere for their audience. Furthermore, a clown entertainer needs to be able to think quickly on their feet, as this will enable them to come up with new and creative ideas to keep their audience engaged. Finally, a clown entertainer needs good communication skills, as this will help them create meaningful connections with their audience.

All of these skills are essential for clown entertainers who want to perform successfully and make their audience happy.

Balloon Artist/Clown, Goodwill Ambassador/Clown, and Parade Float Designer/Clown are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a clown entertainer?
Describe a recent event that you successfully managed as a clown entertainer.
How do you plan to keep children entertained and engaged?
Are you comfortable working with children of all ages?
What safety procedures do you follow when working with children?
How do you handle children who are unruly or difficult to manage?
What techniques and activities do you use to keep children interested in your performance?
How do you stay organized when managing an event?
Do you have any special skills or talents that could add to your performance as a clown entertainer?
What would you do if the audience is not responding to your performance?

Common Tools in Industry

Face Paint. Used to create artistic designs on the face of a clown entertainer. (eg: painting a clown's face with a rainbow)
Props. Objects used to enhance a performance, usually in the form of costumes or accessories. (eg: a clown wearing a polka-dot bow-tie)
Juggling Balls. Balls used for juggling tricks. (eg: throwing and catching three balls in a pattern)
Magic Tricks. Illusions used to amaze an audience. (eg: pulling a rabbit out of a hat)
Ventriloquism. The art of manipulating the voice to make an inanimate object appear to talk. (eg: making a wooden puppet appear to speak)
Balloon Animals. Animals made from twisting balloons into shapes. (eg: making a giraffe out of balloons)
Music. Songs and instrumentals used to accompany a performance. (eg: playing a merry tune on the ukulele)

Professional Organizations to Know

World Clown Association
Clowns of America International
International Jugglers' Association
International Brotherhood of Magicians
American Association of Variety Artists
American Guild of Variety Artists
National Association of Music Merchants
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Ventriloquist Association
International Association of Balloon Artists

We also have Visual Arts Clown, Face Painter/Clown, and Circus Performance Artist/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Juggling. An activity involving the manipulation of objects for amusement or skill.
Mime. A form of theatre in which the performer uses gestures and body movements to convey a story or idea without the use of words.
Magic. The art of creating illusions or seemingly impossible feats using sleight of hand and other techniques.
Ventriloquism. The practice of speaking in a high-pitched voice and throwing one's voice in an attempt to make it sound like it is coming from another person or object.
Balloon Art. The art of twisting balloons into figures such as animals, people, or objects.
Face Painting. The use of paints, cosmetics, and other materials to create temporary designs on the face.
Puppet Show. A form of entertainment that involves manipulating puppets to tell stories.
Storytelling. The art of telling stories in an entertaining way, usually through the use of dialogue, narration, and sound effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of events do clown entertainers typically perform at?

Clown entertainers typically perform at birthday parties, corporate events, festivals, and other special occasions.

What skills are necessary to be a successful clown entertainer?

To be a successful clown entertainer, one needs to have good improvisation and acting skills, as well as be able to create and maintain enjoyable interactions with audiences of all ages.

How much does a clown entertainer typically charge per hour?

Fees for clown entertainers vary depending on experience and the type of event, but typically range from $75 to $250 per hour.

What is the typical costume for a clown entertainer?

The typical costume for a clown entertainer consists of a brightly colored jumpsuit or costume, large shoes, and a painted face. Accessories such as wigs, hats, and props may also be used.

How many years of experience is typical for a clown entertainer?

The amount of experience for a clown entertainer can vary greatly depending on the type of performance and the individual's level of expertise. Some clown entertainers may have over 10 years of experience while others may be just starting out.