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

Sep 8, 2020 / 4 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Stilt walking and clowning are two popular activities often seen in public performances. When combined, these two acts create an even more entertaining and interactive experience for spectators. Stilt walking provides a unique form of visual entertainment as the performer towers above the audience, while clowning adds a comedic element that engages and delights viewers.

Together, these two acts can create a vibrant atmosphere and leave a lasting impression on an audience. Furthermore, these activities can be used to promote visibility and awareness of a cause or organization, as they are both highly visible and engaging.

Steps How to Become

Obtain training from a stilt walking or clowning school or workshop. There are many schools and workshops that offer classes in these areas. Many of these classes focus on the fundamentals of clowning or stilt walking, such as costume design, makeup application, and basic physical performance skills.
Develop a clown or stilt walking persona. A clown or stilt walkers persona is an important part of the performance. Think about what kind of character you would like to portray and create a costume, makeup look, and persona to match.
Practice your performance skills. Spend time practicing your stilt walking and clowning techniques until you are comfortable performing them in front of an audience.
Create a portfolio of your work. Take photos of yourself in costume and practicing your performance skills so you can show potential employers or event organizers what you can do.
Market yourself to potential employers or event organizers. Start by creating a website or social media page to showcase your work and contact information. Network with other clowns and stilt walkers in your area and attend events where you can showcase your skills.
Make sure you have the necessary permits or licenses required by your local government to perform in public spaces or at certain events.

Stilt walking is a challenging art form that requires a great deal of skill and dedication in order to become ideal and competent. To do so, one must practice regularly and focus on mastering the balance and posture required to stay atop the stilts. It is important to have the proper stilts for ones size and ability level in order to minimize the risk of injury.

it is important to wear the appropriate safety gear for added protection in case of a fall. Developing a strong understanding of the techniques involved in walking on stilts is also essential. This includes familiarizing oneself with basic footwork and learning how to maneuver around obstacles.

Finally, clowning is an important skill for a stilt walker to learn and practice in order to become successful in their craft. Clowning involves engaging with an audience, creating humorous gags, and entertaining with physical comedy. All of these elements together can help stilt walkers reach their goal of becoming ideal and competent.

You may want to check Environmental Education Clown, Music Maker/Clown, and Theater Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Facilitate crowd control and provide entertainment at events
Create and provide interactive activities with guests
Provide face painting services
Design, construct, and maintain stilts
Perform juggling and other circus artistry
Maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for guests
Promote special events and attractions
Craft balloon sculptures and decorations
Perform magic tricks, comedy, and other clowning skills
Develop customized routines for performances

Skills and Competencies to Have

Physical Agility
Balance
Flexibility
Creativity
Charisma
Communication Skills
Stamina
Juggling Skills
Acrobatic Skills
Quick Thinking
Patience
Costume Design
Props Manipulation
Uniqueness
Musical Ability
Comical Timing

Being a successful stilt walker/clown requires more than just physical abilities and a good sense of balance. It also takes creativity, performance skills, and the ability to engage with an audience. Creativity is essential in order to come up with interesting and funny routines that will keep an audience entertained.

Performance skills are needed to be able to deliver those routines with energy and emotion, while still being able to keep the audience's attention. Finally, the ability to engage with an audience is key, as stilt walkers/clowns must interact with their audience in order to get laughs and create a positive experience. All of these skills combined are essential to becoming a successful stilt walker/clown.

Parade Float Designer/Clown, Circus Clown Teacher, and Birthday Party Clown are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How did you become interested in stilt walking/clowning?
What experience do you have in stilt walking/clowning?
How do you stay safe while performing on stilts?
Describe some of your most memorable performances.
How do you come up with new material for performances?
What challenges have you faced while performing on stilts/as a clown?
Are you comfortable performing in front of large crowds?
How do you interact with children while performing?
What do you do to maintain your stilts/clown costume?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in stilt walking/clowning?

Common Tools in Industry

Face Paint. Used to paint the face of stilt walkers or clowns. (Eg: Red nose, polka dots, etc)
Stilts. Long poles used to support the weight of a person so they can appear taller. (Eg: Wooden, metal, adjustable, etc)
Clown Shoes. Oversized shoes with a wide toe and a thick sole. (Eg: Big red shoes, polka dot shoes, etc)
Props. Objects used to create a humorous or spectacular effect. (Eg: Squirting flowers, juggling pins, hats, etc)
Makeup. Cosmetic products used to enhance the appearance of a person. (Eg: Foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, etc)
Costumes. Special clothing used to create a particular look. (Eg: Harlequin suit, clown jumpsuit, animal costume, etc)
Balloon Animals. Decorative objects created by twisting balloons into specific shapes. (Eg: Dogs, cats, monkeys, etc)
Music. Used to create an atmosphere or provide accompaniment. (Eg: Instruments, recorded tracks, karaoke machine, etc)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Clowns
World Circus Federation
International Mime Organization
International Special Events Society
United States Institute for Theatre Technology
The American Guild of Variety Artists
International Brotherhood of Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Puppeteers of America
International Jugglers' Association

We also have Balloon Artist/Clown, Holiday Event Clown, and Animal Trainer/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Juggler. A performer skilled in the art of manipulating objects such as balls, rings, clubs, knives, or torches for the entertainment of an audience.
Unicycle. A one-wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider's feet.
acrobat. A performer who engages in daring physical feats such as flips, somersaults, and handstands.
Stilt Walker. A performer who wears stilts to increase their height for the purpose of performing a variety of stunts and tricks.
Clown. A comedic performer who uses physical comedy, slapstick, and/or verbal jokes to entertain an audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Stilt Walker/Clown? A1: A Stilt Walker/Clown is an entertainer who wears oversized shoes, called stilts, to perform comedy and physical stunts while wearing an exaggerated costume. Q2: How tall can a Stilt Walker/Clown be? A2: A Stilt Walker/Clown can reach heights of up to 8 feet, or 2.4 meters. Q3: What props do Stilt Walkers/Clowns use? A3: Stilt Walkers/Clowns use props such as oversized hats, giant balloons, juggling clubs and other objects to entertain their audiences. Q4: What type of skill is required to be a Stilt Walker/Clown? A4: To be a successful Stilt Walker/Clown, one must possess strong physical coordination, balance and agility. Q5: How long does it take to learn stilt walking/clowning? A5: It typically takes several months of practice to become proficient at stilt walking/clowning.

Web Resources

The Stilt-Walkers - Yale University Library findit.library.yale.edu
Stilt-walker on rainstorm-flooded street, Compton, 1927 digital.library.ucla.edu
Stilt-walker on rainstorm-flooded street, Compton, 1927 | UCLA dl.library.ucla.edu