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

Clowns have been around for centuries, and they remain popular today. The art of clowning has evolved over the years, and one of the most recent evolutions is that of the poetic clown. A poetic clown is a clown who uses the art of poetry to entertain.

This type of clown often incorporates humor and rhyme into their performances, making them especially engaging. The cause of this evolution is due in part to the increased popularity of spoken word poetry and its impact on the larger entertainment industry. The effect of this evolution is that audiences are now more likely to be entertained by a poetic clown instead of a traditional clown.

This type of clown is often seen at festivals, comedy shows, and events that feature spoken word poets. It is apparent that poetic clowns are a growing trend in the entertainment industry, as they offer a unique combination of performance art and comedy.

Steps How to Become

1. Read as much poetry and clowning material as you can. Familiarize yourself with the craft and learn from those who have gone before you.
2. Practice writing your own poems and creating your own clowning routines. Take classes or workshops to hone your skills, and attend open mics or other events where you can perform in front of others.
3. Network with other poets and clowns. Join a local poetry or clowning association and make connections with other performers. This can help you find gigs and expand your reach.
4. Develop your own style. Look for ways to stand out from the crowd, whether it's through your performance style or your written work.
5. Create a portfolio or website that showcases your work. Include videos of your performances, examples of your writing, and other information that can help you get booked for gigs or attract fans.
6. Seek out opportunities to perform. Look for open mics, comedy clubs, variety shows, and other venues where you can showcase your talents.
7. Promote yourself. Use social media to spread the word about your work, and reach out to local media outlets to get coverage.
8. Keep working on improving your craft and expanding your network. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things; it’s the only way to grow as an artist.

The advancement of technology has created an ever-evolving landscape for poets and clowns, requiring them to stay updated and qualified in order to remain successful. To ensure they remain competitive, poets and clowns must stay abreast of changes in their respective fields, such as changes in language, technology, audience expectations, and trends. they must exercise their skills regularly and actively seek out new knowledge and training opportunities.

This might include attending workshops and seminars, taking classes, reading books, and exploring the internet for new information. By doing so, poets and clowns will have the necessary resources to remain updated and qualified in their fields.

You may want to check Visual Arts Clown, Clown Costume Designer, and Storyteller/Clown for alternative.

Job Description

1. Poetry Instructor
2. Speech Writer
3. Comedy Performer
4. Improvisational Actor
5. Stand-up Comic
6. Storyteller
7. Playwright
8. Mime Artist
9. Arts Educator
10. Touring Artist

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Creative Writing Skills
2. Performance Skills
3. Improvisational Skills
4. Public Speaking Skills
5. Comedy Writing Skills
6. Physical Comedy Skills
7. Mime Skills
8. Juggling Skills
9. Props Handling Skills
10. Music/Instrumental Skills
11. Singing Ability
12. Storytelling Ability
13. Interpersonal Communication Skills
14. Empathy and Compassion
15. Patience and Flexibility

A successful poet and clown must have a variety of skills in order to be successful. One of the most important skills for an individual in this profession is the ability to write compelling poetry. Having the ability to express thoughts and emotions in an articulate and concise way will help the poet to captivate an audience.

Being able to use poetic devices such as alliteration, imagery, and metaphor are important for creating a strong impact. a good clown must also have excellent comedic timing and improvisational skills. It's important to know how to crack jokes at the right time and adjust them as needed to suit the audience.

Furthermore, clowns must be able to interact with the crowd in a personable and entertaining manner. All of these skills combined make a successful poet and clown, as they must be able to capture the attention of their audience while providing a fun and enjoyable experience.

Face Painter/Clown, Social Circus Artist/Clown, and Clown-for-Hire are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• What inspired you to pursue a career as a poet/clown?
• What do you believe makes you a unique poet/clown?
• How do you come up with original and engaging material?
• What kind of audience responses have you received when performing your work?
• How would you handle an audience that is not responding to your work?
• Describe the most successful poem/clowning routine you have developed.
• Explain a time when you faced a challenging situation while performing and how you overcame it.
• How do you use feedback from the audience to improve your performance?
• What kind of comedy techniques do you use to engage the audience and keep them interested?
• What safety protocols and precautions do you take when performing?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Makeup Kit. A collection of cosmetics and tools used to enhance one’s appearance. (eg: foundation, blush, mascara, eyeliner)
2. Juggling Balls. Balls used for juggling tricks and performances. (eg: bean bags, rubber balls, tennis balls)
3. Costume Pieces. Clothing and accessories used to create a character or outfit. (eg: hats, masks, wigs, props)
4. Poetry Book. A collection of poetic works by various authors. (eg: Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Frost)
5. Clown Nose. A distinctive red nose used to create a clown character. (eg: rubber nose, foam nose)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. National Association of Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers (NAPLW)
2. Clowns of America International (COAI)
3. Poetry Society of America (PSA)
4. American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA)
5. International Jugglers' Association (IJA)
6. International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
7. International Youth Arts Network (IYAN)
8. Society of American Magicians (SAM)
9. World Clown Association (WCA)
10. Association of American Clowns (AAC)

We also have Theater Clown, Music Maker/Clown, and Comedy Juggler/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Pantomime. A form of physical theatre, involving wordless performances from mime artists.
2. Commedia dell'Arte. A style of improvisational theatre that originated in Italy in the 16th century, featuring stock characters such as the Harlequin, Colombina, and Pantalone.
3. Improvisation. The act of creating spontaneous dialogue and action in a performance, often with the help of audience suggestions.
4. Mask Work. Using masks to create an alter-ego on stage, often to help explore a character's emotions and motivations.
5. Physical Theatre. A type of theatre that uses movement and physicality to tell stories and express emotions.
6. Clowning. A type of performance involving exaggerated facial expressions and body movements, intended to amuse the audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the name of the Poet/Clown?

The Poet/Clown is named Pablo Neruda.

What country was Pablo Neruda from?

Pablo Neruda was from Chile.

How many Nobel Prizes did Pablo Neruda win?

Pablo Neruda won one Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.

What was the title of Pablo Neruda's most famous poem?

Pablo Neruda's most famous poem is called "The Heights of Macchu Picchu".

What year did Pablo Neruda pass away?

Pablo Neruda passed away in 1973.

What are jobs related with Poet/Clown?

• Animal Trainer/Clown
• Summer Camp Clown
• Physical Comedy Clown
• Character Actor/Clown
• Stilt Walker/Clown
• Balloon Sculptor/Clown
• Childrens Entertainer/Clown
• Festival Clown
• Clown Entertainer
• Unicycle Performer/Clown

Web Resources

• Home | PoET poet.mit.edu
• Between the Poet and the Clown: The Poetic Persona of Daniel … conservancy.umn.edu
• Poet Proxy for Students | Whittier College www.whittier.edu