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

Jan 12, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The rise of comedy clowns in modern society has had an immense effect on the entertainment industry. They have become a popular form of entertainment, especially among children, as they provide a unique mix of comedy and clowning that is both amusing and captivating. they have also had a positive influence on the way clowns are perceived, as people now view clowns as humorous and entertaining, rather than scary and threatening.

This shift in perception has led to an increase in the number of clowns performing in circuses, festivals, parades, and other events, which has in turn created more opportunities for clowns to make money. As a result, comedy clowns have become an important part of the entertainment industry, providing an innovative and imaginative form of entertainment that is sure to bring smiles to many faces.

Steps How to Become

Take acting classes to learn the basics of performance. This will help you understand the fundamentals of theatrical performance and give you a better understanding of how to interact with an audience as a clown.
Participate in improvisation classes or activities. Improvisation will help you develop your quick-witted comedic timing and the ability to think quickly and come up with funny ideas on the spot.
Develop a clown character. Think about what kind of personality you want your clown to have and create a costume and makeup to match.
Practice your clown routine. Work on developing your jokes, gags, and physical comedy skills. Rehearse in front of family and friends and get feedback on what works and what doesn't.
Create a portfolio and resume of your clown work. Include any videos or photos of your performances, as well as reviews and testimonials from satisfied audiences.
Look for opportunities to perform as a clown. Search online, attend events and network with other clowns to find gigs. Make sure you market yourself effectively to stand out from the crowd.
Join a clown organization. Connecting with other clowns will help you keep up with industry trends and get access to more gigs.

As a comedy clown, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry and remain competent. To do this, one must stay informed by reading industry related publications and attending conferences and seminars. staying current on the newest jokes, props and techniques can help a clown stay relevant.

Another important way to stay competitive is by networking with other industry professionals. By joining organizations and attending events, a clown can learn from others and stay connected to the community. Finally, having a good understanding of the audience is key to success; a clown should always be looking for ways to improve their act and adjust it to the tastes of their audience.

By taking all these steps, a comedy clown can stay informed, competitive and entertaining.

You may want to check Professional Clown, Social Circus Artist/Clown, and Parade Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Event Entertainer - Responsible for providing entertainment at events, such as parties and festivals, through clowning techniques and other forms of comedy.
Circus Clown - Responsible for performing skits, clowning and other comedic acts in a circus setting.
Street Performer - Responsible for performing clowning and other comedic acts in public locations, such as streets and parks.
Television/Film Clown - Responsible for providing comedic performances on television or in films.
Children's Party Clown - Responsible for providing entertainment at children's birthday parties through clowning techniques and other forms of comedy.
Educational Clown - Responsible for providing educational entertainment at schools and other educational institutions through clowning techniques and other forms of comedy.
Corporate Clown - Responsible for providing comedic entertainment at corporate events through clowning techniques and other forms of comedy.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Physical Comedy Skills: Ability to perform pratfalls, stunts, and other comedic physical acts.
Improvisation Skills: Ability to think on one's feet and use humor to extemporaneously address audience reactions.
Mime Skills: Ability to use body language and facial expressions to convey emotion and tell a story.
Joke Writing Skills: Ability to create and deliver original material in an entertaining and humorous manner.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build rapport with an audience and connect with them on a personal level.
Costume Design Skills: Ability to create meaningful costumes that contribute to the overall performance.
Performance Skills: Ability to engage an audience and keep them entertained throughout the entire performance.
Music Skills: Ability to play instruments and/or sing to accompany the comedy routine.
Voice Acting Skills: Ability to use different vocal tones, accents, and gestures to portray characters in a humorous manner.
Comedy Timing: Ability to recognize when jokes should be delivered for maximum comedic impact.

Being a successful comedy clown requires a range of skills, but the most important one is the ability to make people laugh. This requires the clown to be able to come up with humorous ideas, have good comedic timing, and delivery. To be able to come up with witty material, the clown needs to be able to observe everyday situations and come up with clever ways to make them funny.

They also need to understand the importance of timing, as it is often the key factor in making a joke successful. Furthermore, the clown needs to have good delivery so that the audience can appreciate the joke. Without a good delivery, the audience may not understand the joke or even worse, not find it funny.

All these skills combined help the clown create a show that is both entertaining and amusing for the audience.

Clown Technician, Balloon Artist/Clown, and Circus Clown Teacher are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a Comedy Clown?
Describe a memorable show youve performed in the past.
How do you think up new material for your performances?
What do you enjoy most about performing as a Comedy Clown?
Have you ever had any embarrassing or awkward moments while performing?
How do you maintain an audiences attention while they are laughing?
What techniques do you use to make sure that everyone in the audience is having a good time?
What do you think sets you apart from other Comedy Clowns?
How do you handle hecklers or people who dont seem to be enjoying your performance?
How do you stay motivated to continue performing as a Comedy Clown?

Common Tools in Industry

Makeup kit. Used for applying makeup on clowns, (eg: red nose, white face paint).
Costume rack. A rack to hang clown costumes, (eg: pants, shirts, suspenders).
Props. Items used to create comedic effects, (eg: juggling balls, squirt flowers).
Face painting kit. A kit that contains colors, brushes and other items to paint clown faces, (eg: star designs, animal masks).
Comedy writing. Writing funny skits and jokes to be used as part of the performance, (eg: one-liners, puns).
Juggling balls. Balls used to juggle while performing, (eg: tennis balls, bean bags).
Unicycle. A one-wheeled bike used to perform stunts, (eg: balancing acts, jumps).
Stilts. Long poles used to raise the clowns up and make them appear taller, (eg: walking stilts, jumping stilts).
Gags. Funny props used to create jokes, (eg: whoopee cushions, fake teeth).
Music and sound effects. Music and sound effects used to enhance the performance, (eg: kazoos, xylophones).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH)
World Clown Association (WCA)
International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA)
Society of American Magicians (SAM)
International Jugglers' Association (IJA)
World Clown Association of Australia (WCAA)
World Clown Association of Canada (WCAC)
Clowns of America International (COAI)
American Association of Clowns (AAC)

We also have Holiday Event Clown, Clown Workshop Manager, and Restoration Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Pratfall. An unexpected, embarrassing or comical physical blunder.
Gag. A joke or trick used for comedic purposes.
Physical Comedy. An exaggerated form of comedy emphasizing absurd and exaggerated physical actions.
Slapstick. A type of comedy in which the humor comes from physical actions and accidents, often involving clowns or other characters.
Punchline. The last line of a joke or story which reveals the punch, the humorous part of a joke.
Clowning. An entertaining form of comedy involving improvisation, costumes, and props.
Mime. A theatrical performance consisting of a person using only body movements and gestures to convey a story or message.
Improvisation. A theatrical performance that is created spontaneously by the performers, often based on audience suggestions.
Pantomime. A form of theatrical entertainment that combines mime, music, dance, and other elements to tell a story without words.
Sight Gags. Visual jokes or tricks used to evoke laughter or amusement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Comedy Clown?

Comedy Clown is a type of entertainment that combines clowning with comedic elements, such as physical comedy, slapstick, and improvisation.

Who created Comedy Clown?

Comedy Clown was popularized in the 1920s by the legendary clown Emmett Kelly.

How does Comedy Clown differ from other forms of clowning?

Comedy Clown combines clowning with comedic elements, such as physical comedy, slapstick, and improvisation. This is different from traditional clowning which focuses more on slapstick and physical comedy.

What are some of the props used in Comedy Clown performances?

Props commonly used in Comedy Clown performances include juggling pins, magic tricks, musical instruments, water squirting flowers, and oversized shoes.