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

The introduction of parade clowns has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. By utilizing their comedic antics, parade clowns have provided a unique form of entertainment for people of all ages. This has resulted in an increase of public attendance at parades and other events, leading to higher profits for parade organizers.

Furthermore, parade clowns have been an invaluable asset in creating an atmosphere of joy and excitement. The presence of parade clowns has caused a rise in the number of people attending parades and other events, thereby boosting the morale of those in attendance. In addition, parade clowns have also been known to bring a sense of community to gatherings by interacting with people and entertaining them with their jokes and skits.

As a result, the entertainment industry has seen significant growth due to the introduction of parade clowns.

Steps How to Become

1. Learn basic clown skills. These include learning how to juggle, do magic, twist balloons, and perform physical comedy. All of these skills can be learned through online tutorials, books, classes, or workshops.
2. Practice your skills regularly. Spend time consistently perfecting your clown skills so that you can perform them confidently and without making mistakes.
3. Dress the part. Visit a costume shop or create your own clown costume with brightly colored clothes, clown makeup, and a wig.
4. Create a clown persona. Choose a clown name, a theme for your clown character, and a set of jokes or gags that you can use to entertain others.
5. Join a clown organization or association. These organizations offer resources, support, and networking opportunities for clowns. They can also provide access to parades and other events where you can perform.
6. Attend parades and other events as a Parade Clown. Take advantage of these opportunities to perform in front of a large audience and hone your clowning skills.
7. Promote yourself as a Parade Clown by creating a website or social media profile to showcase your skills and attract potential customers.

Staying ahead and efficient requires a lot of planning, organization, and dedication. Creating a well-defined schedule and setting deadlines for yourself can help ensure that tasks are completed on time. breaking down large projects into smaller, achievable tasks can help make them more manageable.

To stay motivated and focused, it is important to set achievable goals and reward yourself for completing them. It is also beneficial to establish a work-life balance by taking regular breaks throughout the day and scheduling in leisure activities. Furthermore, staying organized by using tools such as to-do lists and calendars can help keep you on track and make sure you don’t miss any important tasks.

Lastly, delegating tasks to others when necessary can help make the workload more manageable. By taking these steps, you can stay ahead and efficient with your work.

You may want to check Mime Artist/Clown, Animal Trainer/Clown, and Clown-for-Hire for alternative.

Job Description

1. Greeter Clown: Welcomes guests to the parade and hands out promotional items.
2. Face Painter Clown: Paints cheerful designs on the faces of children in attendance.
3. Balloon Artist Clown: Creates fun balloon sculptures and animals for children to take home.
4. Magician Clown: Performs entertaining magic tricks and illusions.
5. Joke Teller Clown: Tells funny jokes, riddles, and stories to entertain the crowd.
6. Marching Band Clown: Leads the parade with music, dance, and other fun activities.
7. Stilt Walker Clown: Wears festive costumes and stilts to add to the excitement of the parade.
8. Prankster Clown: Plays harmless pranks on parade watchers for a few laughs.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Physical stamina and endurance
2. Creative improvisation
3. Ability to work with children
4. Ability to think quickly and act on the spot
5. Good communication skills
6. Working knowledge of clowning techniques
7. Ability to take instruction
8. Good understanding of comedic timing
9. Strong performance skills
10. Props, costume and make-up knowledge
11. Basic acrobatics and juggling skills
12. Ability to interact and engage with an audience

Being a Parade Clown requires a wide range of skills in order to be successful. The ability to think quickly and come up with creative, entertaining ideas on the spot is essential. An outgoing personality, a knack for improvisation, and a sense of humor are also key qualities that a Parade Clown should have.

In addition, Parade Clowns must be comfortable with large crowds and exhibit strong social skills in order to engage their audience. Having a strong work ethic and being able to work under pressure are also important traits for Parade Clowns to possess. All of these qualities combined will help ensure that a Parade Clown puts on an entertaining, memorable show that will leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Special Events Clown, Emcee/Clown, and Clown Entertainer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• How would you describe your approach to clowning?
• What qualities do you feel are essential for a successful parade clown?
• What is the most creative or memorable parade performance you have been involved in?
• How do you ensure that your performance is engaging and entertaining for the audience?
• How do you handle unexpected situations, such as an uncooperative crowd?
• How do you stay motivated during a long parade?
• What safety measures do you take when performing during a parade?
• Are you comfortable working with a variety of other performers, such as musicians and dancers?
• How do you keep up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in parade clowning?
• What would you say sets you apart from other parade clowns?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Makeup Kit. Used to apply clown makeup (eg: white face paint, red nose, and funny wigs).
2. Costume. An outfit worn by clowns during parades and performances (eg: colorful jumpsuits, oversized shoes, and silly hats).
3. Props. Items used to enhance a clown's performance (eg: juggling balls, unicycles, and oversized props).
4. Music. Music played during a clown's performance (eg: traditional circus tunes, upbeat pop songs, and jingles).
5. Juggling Balls. Used to perform juggling tricks (eg: brightly-colored bean bags or rubber balls).
6. Face Paint. Used to create a unique clown design (eg: stars, hearts, and other fun shapes).
7. Balloon Animals. Animals made from balloons (eg: dogs, cats, and other animals).
8. Magic Tricks. Tricks used to amaze and entertain an audience (eg: card tricks, mind reading, and sleight of hand).

Professional Organizations to Know

1. Clowns of America International
2. World Clown Association
3. Fellowship of Christian Clowns
4. International Association of Clowns
5. International Jugglers' Association
6. World Clown Association Academy
7. Clowns International
8. British Association of Circus Proprietors
9. European Clown Association
10. The American Circus Educators Association

We also have Balloon Artist/Clown, Theater Clown, and Circus Performance Artist/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Clowning. A form of performance art, clowning involves comedy and physical stunts to create humorous effects.
2. Makeup. The use of cosmetics and prosthetics to alter a performer’s appearance.
3. Costume. A set of clothing that a performer wears while performing, typically with an exaggerated or comical effect.
4. Gags. Short jokes, visual tricks, and physical stunts used to make an audience laugh.
5. Juggling. The art of keeping multiple objects in the air at once, using skillful hand and body movements.
6. Mime. A form of theater in which performers use physical movement and gestures to communicate ideas without words.
7. Magic. The use of illusions and sleight of hand to create an entertaining show.
8. Music. Musical performances, such as singing or playing an instrument, used to add entertainment value to a parade performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Parade Clown?

A Parade Clown is a performer who entertains people in parades and other large public gatherings with comedic routines, skits, and stunts.

How long have Parade Clowns been around?

Parade Clowns have been around since the 19th century, with many of the first performers originating from circuses and vaudeville acts.

What are some of the skills used by Parade Clowns?

Parade Clowns use a variety of skills such as physical comedy, improvisation, juggling, pantomime, and musical instruments to entertain and engage their audiences.

What are some of the props used by Parade Clowns?

Parade Clowns often use props such as oversized shoes, hats, and costumes to enhance their performances. They may also use props such as confetti, water guns, and balloons to add to the fun.

What is the purpose of Parade Clowns?

The purpose of Parade Clowns is to bring joy and laughter to their audiences. Through their performances, they can put smiles on people's faces and bring a sense of fun and community to parades and other public gatherings.

What are jobs related with Parade Clown?

• Physical Comedy Clown
• Clown Educator
• Summer Camp Clown
• Goodwill Ambassador/Clown
• Festival Clown
• Comedy Juggler/Clown
• Circus Clown Teacher
• Unicycle Performer/Clown
• Balloon Sculptor/Clown
• Visual Arts Clown

Web Resources

• The Great parade: portrait of the artist as clown - academia.edu www.academia.edu
• Parade | Homecoming homecoming.umn.edu
• Crown College | Accredited Private Christian College in MN www.crown.edu