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

Feb 2, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Festival clowns are popular attractions at festivals and other events. Their presence brings a fun and energetic atmosphere that can help draw people in, creating a larger audience for the event. The clowns often employ a variety of comedic and entertaining tricks to keep the audience engaged and laughing.

the clowns often wear vibrant and colorful costumes that further add to the festive atmosphere. As a result, festival clowns are able to draw larger audiences, creating a more successful event and providing an enjoyable experience for all those in attendance.

Steps How to Become

Take a Class. Taking a class in clowning is an important step to becoming a festival clown. Look for local classes, or take one online.
Practice. As with any skill, practice makes perfect. Spend time practicing your craft to become the best festival clown that you can be.
Get a Costume. A great costume is essential for any festival clown. Find a costume that fits your style and personality and make sure it is comfortable and easy to move around in.
Gather Supplies. Make sure that you have all the supplies you need to perform your act. This includes props, makeup, and any other items you might need.
Apply for Gigs. Once youre confident in your skills as a festival clown, start applying for gigs. Check out online job boards or contact local festivals to see if they are looking for clowns.
Promote Yourself. Once youve secured some gigs, promote yourself on social media to get more attention and book more shows.
Network. Networking is key for any profession, including festival clowns. Reach out to other professionals in the clowning world to build relationships and get more work.

Being a festival clown can be a lot of fun, however, its important to stay ahead and efficient in order to make sure the event is a success. A few key things that can help achieve this are planning ahead, staying organized, and having good communication with event staff. Planning ahead includes researching the event and its attendees, preparing materials and props needed for the performance, and making sure all the necessary paperwork is filled out before the day of the event.

Staying organized is important to make sure everything runs smoothly; this includes having a designated area for all the equipment and props that will be used, as well as making sure the performance space is set up properly before the start of the show. Good communication with event staff is also important for a successful performance as it allows for any questions or issues that arise during the event to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. By following these steps, festival clowns can ensure that their performance is successful and that attendees have an enjoyable experience.

You may want to check Clown Costume Designer, Mime Artist/Clown, and Special Events Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Design and construct festival decorations.
Provide entertainment for festival-goers, such as juggling, balloon animals, and magic tricks.
Wear festive costumes and makeup to create a fun atmosphere.
Interact with visitors, answer questions, and provide information about the event.
Coordinate with other performers and attractions at the festival.
Troubleshoot any issues or concerns that arise during the event.
Assist with setup and cleanup of festival grounds.
Participate in community outreach to promote the event.
Take photographs and videos for promotional purposes.
Ensure safety of attendees at all times.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to interact with children in a fun and entertaining way
Knowledge of juggling, face painting, balloon twisting, magic tricks, and other clowning skills
Excellent communication and customer service skills
Creativity and improvisation skills
Physical stamina to perform for long periods of time
Ability to take direction from event organizers
Knowledge of health and safety regulations
Ability to work with a team of other performers
Ability to react quickly and think on your feet
Ability to handle difficult situations with patience and humor

The most important skill for a festival clown to have is the ability to engage with their audience in a fun, entertaining way. Being able to make people laugh and forget their worries is crucial in order to provide an enjoyable experience. the ability to think on your feet is essential in order to be able to react to audience participation and create new, creative routines.

Finally, having a good sense of timing and understanding of comedic elements are key for creating a successful performance. With these skills combined, a festival clown can create an unforgettable experience for their audience and become a star of the show.

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

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have performing as a Festival Clown?
How would you describe your clowning style?
Describe a memorable experience youve had while performing as a clown.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a Festival Clown?
What techniques do you use to engage with children and adults?
How do you handle difficult situations when performing?
How do you stay creative when performing the same act multiple times?
What do you think makes a successful Festival Clown?
How would you rate your improvisation skills?
Do you have any experience in coordinating large groups of people?

Common Tools in Industry

Face Paint. Used to create artistic designs on the face or body. (eg: Create a tiger face design on a childs face)
Makeup. Used to enhance or change facial features. (eg: Apply theatrical makeup to create a clown look)
Props. Objects that can be used for comedic effect. (eg: Use a rubber chicken to make people laugh)
Costume. Outfit worn to bring the character of a clown to life. (eg: Wear a bright-colored costume with floppy shoes)
Magic Tricks. Used to entertain an audience with illusions. (eg: Make a coin appear from behind an ear)
Balloon Animals. Used to twist balloons into shapes of animals or other objects. (eg: Create a balloon dog to give as a gift)
Ventriloquism. Ability to make it appear as if a dummy is talking without moving lips. (eg: Use a dummy to tell jokes)
Joke Telling. Ability to use humor to entertain an audience. (eg: Tell jokes about current events)

Professional Organizations to Know

Clowns of America International
World Clown Association
International Jugglers' Association
International Brotherhood of Magicians
Fédération Mondiale du Cirque
International Association of Circus Performers
European Juggling Association
Comedy Magic Association
International Clown Hall of Fame
Festival and Events Association

We also have Circus Skills Workshop Facilitator/Clown, Clinical Clown, and Childrens Entertainer/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Clowning. The art of engaging audiences with physical comedy, improvisation, and slapstick humor.
Juggling. The act of throwing and catching multiple objects in the air.
Mime. A form of physical theatre in which the performer communicates with gestures and body movements, but remains silent.
Acrobatics. The performance of physical feats of balance, agility and coordination.
Magic Tricks. The art of illusion and misdirection used to entertain an audience.
Balloon Twisting. The skillful manipulation of long, thin balloons into shapes such as animals, hats and swords.
Face Painting. The use of paint and other materials to create designs on a face.
Ventriloquism. The art of speaking without moving ones lips, often accompanied by a puppet or dummy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of person is a Festival Clown?

A Festival Clown is a performer who has specialized in providing comedic entertainment and creating a festive atmosphere at large events or carnivals.

What type of skills does a Festival Clown possess?

A Festival Clown typically has strong comedic timing, improvisational skills, and a vibrant personality. Additionally, they usually have experience in physical comedy and mime, juggling, magic tricks, or other activities that can make their performance more engaging.

What type of environment does a Festival Clown typically work in?

Festival Clowns usually perform at large events such as fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades, and other similar gatherings.

What is the typical duration of a Festival Clown's performance?

A Festival Clown's performance can range from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the event and the number of people in attendance.

How much do Festival Clowns generally earn?

The exact amount a Festival Clown earns will vary depending on factors like experience, location, and the size of the event. Generally, they can make anywhere from $50 to $500 per hour.

Web Resources

Circus Arts - Medical Clown Project | Smithsonian Folklife Festival www.festival.si.edu
Childrens Book Festival to feature storyteller, clown livingstone.edu
Info + Submission - Allen Film Festival - Future On-Campus Student www.crown.edu