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

Physical comedy clowns use exaggerated physical movements to entertain audiences with humorous results. Their physical comedy often involves contortion, mime, acrobatics, and costumes. By using physical comedy, clowns are able to draw attention and evoke laughter from the audience in a unique way.

Physical comedy clowns can also engage with their audience in a more interactive manner than other types of clowns. they can also use props and other techniques to create entertaining skits and gags. The use of physical comedy by clowns can have a wide range of effects, from eliciting laughter and joy to creating an atmosphere of playfulness and fun.

Furthermore, physical comedy clowns often use their art to comment on social issues and provoke thought. In this way, physical comedy clowns can be a great way to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue.

Steps How to Become

1. Develop your physical comedy skills. Start by studying physical comedy, such as clowning, mime, and slapstick. Learn the basics of physical comedy, such as body language, timing, and facial expressions. Practice your physical comedy in front of a mirror or with friends.
2. Create a clown persona. Decide what type of clown you want to be and develop your character. You could be a silly clown, a grumpy clown, or a mischievous clown. Think about how you want to dress and how you want to talk.
3. Develop your act. Write out your act and practice it until you feel comfortable performing it in front of an audience. Incorporate props, if desired.
4. Find gigs. Look for gigs at local comedy clubs, festivals, and even birthday parties. You could also consider joining a clown troupe in your area.
5. Promote yourself. Create a website or social media page to showcase your talents and help you find more gigs. Consider making videos of your performances and posting them online.

Physical comedy clowns must have a good combination of both physical and comedic skills to be reliable and capable. This means having a strong sense of comedic timing, the ability to think on your feet, and the physical agility to perform stunts and gags. To master physical comedy clowning, clowns must also have a good understanding of the audience, being able to read the mood and adjust their jokes accordingly.

clowns must practice regularly in order to master the stunts and gags they have developed. With hard work and dedication, a physical comedy clown can become reliable and capable in their craft.

You may want to check Goodwill Ambassador/Clown, Summer Camp Clown, and Environmental Education Clown for alternative.

Job Description

1. Gag Maker: Responsible for creating and maintaining a wide range of gags, props, and other physical comedy materials.
2. Script Writer: Responsible for writing humorous skits, dialogues, and other original material for the clown’s performance.
3. Costume Designer: Responsible for designing and creating costumes and props for the clown’s performances.
4. Makeup Artist: Responsible for creating makeup designs that are in keeping with the clown’s character.
5. Set Designer: Responsible for creating sets and stage designs that best enhance the clown’s physical comedy performance.
6. Acrobatics Coach: Responsible for helping the clown practice and perfect various acrobatic maneuvers.
7. Mime Instructor: Responsible for teaching the clown mime techniques and providing training in character development and improvisation.
8. Juggling Instructor: Responsible for helping the clown practice and perfect various juggling techniques.
9. Music Director: Responsible for selecting and arranging music to accompany the clown’s performance.
10. Event Manager: Responsible for coordinating and executing events that feature the clown’s performance.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Physical Agility/Flexibility
2. Slapstick Comedy
3. Mime
4. Juggling
5. Impersonations/Characterizations
6. Visual Gags
7. Parody
8. Ad-Libbing
9. Audience Interaction
10. Pantomime
11. Improvisation
12. Pratfalls
13. Exaggerated Facial Expressions
14. Puppetry
15. Ventriloquism
16. Timing
17. Creative Storytelling
18. Music/Instrumental Skills

Physical comedy clowns use their body movements to create humorous moments for their audiences. The most important skill for a physical comedy clown is their ability to be creative and think on their feet. Being able to improvise and come up with new and innovative ways to make people laugh is essential to success in this field.

physical comedy clowns must be able to control their body and facial expressions in order to create the desired comedic effect. Being able to use physical props, such as hats, umbrellas, and props to emphasize their jokes is also important. Finally, having a strong understanding of comedic timing and delivery is critical in order to ensure that their jokes land with the audience.

All of these skills combined give physical comedy clowns the edge they need to make people laugh and enjoy their performances.

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

Frequent Interview Questions

• How do you come up with your comedic characters?
• How do you use physical comedy to create humor and laughter?
• What kind of props and costumes do you use to bring your characters to life?
• What do you find most challenging about physical comedy clowning?
• What do you think is essential for a successful physical comedy performance?
• How do you assess the audience's response to your physical comedy?
• How do you decide on the appropriate level of physicality for each performance?
• What experience do you have with improvisation in physical comedy?
• How do you stay motivated to continue performing physical comedy?
• What do you think sets your physical comedy apart from other clowns?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Pie in the Face. A classic form of physical comedy in which a character gets a faceful of cream or other substance. (eg: The Three Stooges using this gag to great comic effect)
2. Silly Walks. A type of exaggerated walking used to get laughs from an audience. (eg: John Cleese’s famous Ministry of Silly Walks sketch)
3. Pantomime. A type of physical comedy in which a character performs exaggerated facial expressions and gestures to tell a story without words. (eg: Charlie Chaplin’s famous pantomime routine in The Gold Rush)
4. Slapstick. A type of physical comedy involving exaggerated physical actions or violence that results in humorous consequences. (eg: Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner cartoons)
5. Pratfalls. A type of physical comedy in which a character trips, falls, or otherwise injures themselves in a humorous way. (eg: Lucille Ball’s infamous pratfall in the I Love Lucy episode “Job Switching”)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. Clowns of America International (COAI)
2. World Clown Association (WCA)
3. European Clown Association (ECA)
4. The National Flamboyant Clowns Organization (NFCO)
5. International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
6. Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM)
7. International Jugglers' Association (IJA)
8. American Association of Circus Artists (AACA)
9. American Clown Academy (ACA)
10. Society of American Magicians (SAM)

We also have Health Care Clown, Balloon Sculptor/Clown, and Animal Trainer/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. pratfall. A physical comedy stunt in which a character falls or trips, often in an exaggerated manner.
2. Slapstick. A type of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, cartoonish physical stunts and sound effects such as pratfalls, crashes, and bangs.
3. Pie-in-the-face gag. A gag in which a character is hit in the face with a custard pie.
4. Buffoonery. A type of physical comedy in which a character behaves in a silly or ridiculous manner.
5. Sight gag. A visual joke that relies on physical props or actions for its humor.
6. Mime. A type of physical comedy in which the performer uses body language and facial expressions to convey emotions and actions without speaking.
7. Vaudeville. A type of variety show featuring musical acts, comedy skits, and other performances.
8. Puns. A play on words that creates a humorous double meaning or wordplay.
9. Physical humor. A broad term for any type of comedic performance that relies primarily on physical stunts and gags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of comedy does a Physical Comedy Clown specialize in?

Physical Comedy Clowns specialize in physical comedy, which involves performing physical acts such as juggling, acrobatics, pratfalls, and slapstick humor.

What other types of entertainment do Physical Comedy Clowns provide?

Physical Comedy Clowns provide a variety of entertainment, including magic tricks, balloon twisting, face painting, music, storytelling, and other interactive activities.

What type of events are Physical Comedy Clowns suitable for?

Physical Comedy Clowns are suitable for a variety of events such as birthday parties, corporate events, school functions, and festivals.

How much does it cost to hire a Physical Comedy Clown?

The cost of hiring a Physical Comedy Clown varies depending on the length of the performance and the number of performers. The average cost for a single performer for a one-hour performance is around $150-$200.

What qualifications should I look for when hiring a Physical Comedy Clown?

When hiring a Physical Comedy Clown, it is important to look for qualifications such as experience performing physical comedy, good improvisational skills, and valid insurance and permits.

What are jobs related with Physical Comedy Clown?

• Holiday Event Clown
• Poet/Clown
• Birthday Party Clown
• Restoration Clown
• Stilt Walker/Clown
• Comedy Clown
• Childrens Party Clown
• Street Clown
• Fire Breathing Clown
• Circus Clown Teacher

Web Resources

• "Physical Comedy: From Stage to Screen" by Kathleen Suit scholarlycommons.obu.edu
• The Physical Comedy Handbook — Robinson – The Bowdoin Store store.bowdoin.edu
• Physical (Comedy) Science 100 - Y Magazine magazine.byu.edu