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

Sep 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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A street clown is a performer who often entertains pedestrians in public spaces, such as parks and streets. Street clowns have been seen as a way to bring joy and laughter to those in the area, often providing a sense of entertainment and delight to those who may not have access to other forms of entertainment. This can have a positive effect on the community, as people feel more connected to each other when they are able to share in the same experiences.

street clowns can also be a source of education for those in the area, teaching important skills such as juggling, balancing, and other acrobatic tricks. Furthermore, street clowns can also bring a sense of unity and togetherness, as people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures can come together to watch and enjoy the show.

Steps How to Become

Research clowns and the art of clowning to decide if it is something you are interested in pursuing. Consider taking classes to learn about clowning, such as juggling or slapstick comedy.
Develop a clown persona. Select a character type and costume that will set you apart from other clowns.
Practice your clowning routines and skills. Hone your craft by performing for friends and family and getting feedback from them.
Get the proper credentials to work as a Street Clown. Depending on the state or country you live in, there may be licensing or certification requirements to work as a Street Clown.
Market yourself. Create business cards, flyers and a website to promote your services. Reach out to potential clients, such as schools, churches, parks and festivals, to find work as a Street Clown.
Network with other clowns. Join a clown organization or attend conventions to learn more about the profession and make connections with other clowns.

Clowns are a staple in the entertainment industry. They often bring joy and laughter to crowds, making them a popular choice for events. To be an ideal and competent clown, it is important to have a good sense of humor and be able to think quickly on your feet.

clowns should have an understanding of audience dynamics and be able to engage with the crowd. Being well-versed in comedic timing is essential, as well as having an ability to improvise. Lastly, clowns must have a deep knowledge of clowning techniques and tricks, such as juggling, pratfalls, and magic tricks.

When all these elements come together, the clown will be able to create an entertaining and memorable experience for their audience.

You may want to check Street Theatre Clown, Restoration Clown, and Visual Arts Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Entertainer: Perform comedy routines, magic tricks, and other acts to bring smiles and laughter to people of all ages.
Juggler: Perform juggling tricks and stunts for audiences in parks, squares, and other public spaces.
Face Painter: Provide face painting services for childrens parties, festivals, corporate events, and other public gatherings.
Balloon Artist: Create balloon animals and other sculptures for children and adults at parties, festivals, and other events.
Musician: Play traditional street music such as jug bands, strolling string bands, and other forms of acoustic music in public spaces.
Puppeteer: Operate puppets and create shows for children and adults in parks, squares, and other public spaces.
Fire Eater: Perform stunts involving the consumption of fire for large crowds in parks, squares, and other public spaces.
Acrobat: Perform a variety of gymnastic feats for audiences in parks, squares, and other public spaces.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Acting/Performing skills
Comedy/Joke-telling ability
Juggling/Physical Comedy
Knowledge of Street Performance Etiquette
Dexterity/Manipulation Skills
Creativity/Innovation
Musical Instruments
Balancing/Gymnastics
Slapstick/Clowning
Magic/Illusion Skills
Social Skills
Interpersonal Communication
Crowd Control/Interaction
Entrepreneurial Skills
Self-Promotion/Marketing

Being a street clown requires a variety of skills, but the most important one is the ability to interact with people. Being outgoing and friendly is key, as it helps to draw in a crowd and create an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Being able to think quickly on your feet is also essential, as it allows you to come up with new jokes and material as needed.

Having a natural sense of humor is also very important, as this can help you come up with new jokes and gags that make people smile and laugh. Lastly, having good physical coordination helps make stunts and tricks look more impressive and entertaining. With these skills, a street clown can create an unforgettable experience that leaves everyone with fond memories.

Fire Breathing Clown, Social Circus Artist/Clown, and Stilt Walker/Clown are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a street clown?
How would you describe your clowning style?
How have you used clowning to engage with people on the street?
What skills have you developed as a street clown?
What techniques do you use to entertain people on the street?
What do you consider to be the most important qualities of a successful street clown?
How do you respond to hecklers or other negative reactions?
What safety measures do you take when performing on the street?
How do you come up with new ideas for street clowning?
What do you enjoy most about being a street clown?

Common Tools in Industry

Face Paint. Used to quickly apply colorful designs to the face of a clown. (eg: rainbow stripes, clown noses, etc. )
Hula Hoop. A hoop used to create tricks and stunts. (eg: spinning, juggling, etc. )
Juggling Balls. Balls used for juggling. (eg: beanbags, tennis balls, etc. )
Unicycle. A one-wheeled bicycle used for stunts. (eg: balancing, spinning, etc. )
Clown Costume. A colorful costume used to dress up as a clown. (eg: polka dots, ruffles, etc. )
Clown Shoes. Oversized shoes that clowns wear for comedic effect. (eg: big red shoes, oversized boots, etc. )
Makeup Kit. Makeup used to enhance facial features. (eg: lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, etc. )
Balloon Animals. Balloons twisted into animals or shapes for entertainment. (eg: monkeys, snakes, swords, etc. )
Magic Tricks. Illusions used to entertain an audience. (eg: card tricks, disappearing acts, etc. )
Music. Music used to create a festive atmosphere. (eg: kazoos, drums, tambourines, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Jugglers' Association
Clowns of America International
World Clown Association
Society of American Magicians
International Street Performers' Association
KIDabra International
Association of British Professional Clowns
National Association of Balloon Artists
National Comedy Theatre

We also have Clown-for-Hire, Comedy Clown, and Circus Clown Teacher jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Mime. A form of physical theatre in which the performer uses body movement, facial expressions, and gestures to convey a story or idea without the use of words.
Jugglers. Performers who entertain audiences by juggling objects such as balls, clubs, rings, or knives.
Magicians. Entertainers who use illusions and sleight of hand to create seemingly impossible effects.
Stilt walkers. Performers who use stilts to walk, dance, and perform other feats.
Face painters. Performers who use paint or other materials to transform their faces into works of art.
Balloon artists. Performers who use balloons to create sculptures, hats, and other objects.
Ventriloquists. Performers who use their voice and lip movements to create the illusion that a puppet is speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Street Clown? A1: Street Clown is a movement that focuses on using art and creativity to bring awareness to social issues and make a difference in the world. Q2: Who founded Street Clown? A2: Street Clown was founded by artist and activist Melina Brown in 2020. Q3: What type of art does Street Clown use to bring awareness to social issues? A3: Street Clown uses a variety of art forms, including murals, graffiti, street performance, and multimedia installations. Q4: How has Street Clown already made a difference? A4: Street Clown has already achieved several milestones, such as organizing over 50 events in 8 countries and launching a youth-led art initiative. Q5: What is the ultimate goal of Street Clown? A5: The ultimate goal of Street Clown is to create a more just and equitable society through art, education, and community engagement.