Wikipedia describes clowns incomparably well:
"Clowns are comic performers, stereotypically characterized by their colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, and unusually large footwear. Clowning, in its most basic form, can be described as one form of drama without a fourth wall, however there are other types of drama that are lacking the element of a fourth wall as well. In other words, a clown acknowledges his audience. The clown's humor today is often visual and includes many elements of physical comedy or slapstick humor."
"Clowns spread in cultures of any time and place, because they meet some deeply rooted needs in humanity: violation of taboos, the mockery of sacred and profane authorities and symbols, reversal of language and action" ... "The performance is symbolic of liminality - being outside the rules of regular society the clown is able to subvert the normal order, and this basic premise is contemporarily used by many activists to point out social absurdity."
"A popular early form of clown was the fool, a role that can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt and appears as the first card in the tarot deck. Most fools suffered from some physical or mental deformity, and were given to the local landlord as a charge, because their families were unable to look after them ... being perceived 'idiots' they were often the only people in court who enjoyed free speech, and during the 16th century, especially in France, actors began to train as fools often in order to have the ability to make satirical comment. There is evidence of the 'wise fool' similar in function to the jester in many other cultures."
"Clowns of this era and eras previous to it were also associated with jugglers, who were seen as pariahs of society alongside actors, prostitutes and lepers, and thus (at least in Europe) wore stripes, or motley - cloth associated with marginalised people such as the condemned, with strong associations with the devil. Jugglers often used clowning techniques, and the later court jesters often danced, performed acrobatics and juggled."
"During the 16th century the Commedia dell'arte also became a huge influence on perceptions of the clown in Europe, and influence which passed through pantomime, into vaudeville and on to the touring circuses of the 19th and 20th centuries."
Please go to Wikipedia to read much more of this excellent article.
The following three basics of clowning woorksheets were excerpted from pages included with a basic clown workshop handout packet distributed during a late-1990s season class of Gamma Phi Circus.
The following basic skills are expected of a performing clown.
If you have questions please ask any active clown or your act leader.
Fill in the following on behalf of your character, not as yourself.
Write your skit down below, suitable for walk-around or quick gags: make sure you describe props, actions, and how long the skit will run.
LESS "CUTE", MORE "FUNNY" |
PIES DON'T FIX EVERYTHING |
WHAT WOULD MY CHARACTER DO? |
SMILE! |
BE BIG, REDICULOUSLY BIG |
Basic hints on acting, character behavior, and improvisation.
See attached simplified cartoon faces picture showing many common facial expressions.
Makeup related hints and resources.
This artwork was excerpted and enhanced from an unattributed page included with a basic clown workshop handout packet distributed during a late-1990s season class of Gamma Phi Circus.
These photos were excerpted from the book "Strutter's Complete Guide to Clown Makeup" by Jim Roberts.
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![]() Have fun designing your own clown face. This includes pages of sample noses, eyes, mouths, cheeks, and more. Combine the pieces and your own ideas to design an original clown. |
![]() CLICK HERE for printable PDF of blank face template for makeup design and planning. |
Costuming defines the clown.
Everything related to skits; design, planning, and execution.
Wikipedia has an incomparable introduction to skit design:
CLOWNING FRAMEWORKS
Frameworks are the general outline of an act that clowns use to help them build out an act. Frameworks can be loose, including only a general beginning and ending to the act, leaving it up to the clown's creativity to fill in the rest, or at the other extreme a fully developed script that allows very little room for creativity.
SHOWS
The overall production that a clown is a part of, it may or may not include elements other than clowning, such as in a circus show. In a circus context, clown shows are typically made up of some combination of Entrées, Side dishes, Clown Stops, Track Gags, Gags and bits.
BLOW-OFF
The Blow-Off is the comedic ending of a show segment, bit, gag, stunt or routine. It is the skits punchline.
GAGS, BITS, BUSINESS
"Business" is the individual motions the clown uses, often used to express the clown's character. A "gag" is a very short piece of clown comedy which when repeated within a bit or routine may become a "running gag". Gags may be loosely defined as "the jokes clowns play on each other". Bits are the clown's sketches or routines made up of one or more gags either worked out and timed before going on stage or impromptu bits composed of familiar improvisational material. A gag may have a beginning, a middle and an end to them, or they may not. Gags can also refer to the prop stunts/tricks or the stunts that clowns use, such as a squirting flower.
MENU
Entrées are feature clowning acts lasting 4-8 minutes. They are typically made up of various gags and bits, and usually use a clowning framework. Entrées almost always end with a blow-off.
SIDE DISHES
Shorter feature acts. Side dishes are essentially shorter versions of the Entrée, typically lasting 1 - 3 minutes. Side dishes are typically made up of various gags and bits, and usually use a clowning framework. Side dishes almost always end with a blow-off.
INTERLUDES
Clown Stops or interludes are the brief appearance of clowns while the props and rigging are changed. These are typically made up of a few gags or several bits. Clown Stops almost always end with a blow-off. Clown stops will always have a beginning, a middle and an end to them.
PROP STUNTS
Among the more well-known clown stunts are: squirting flower; the "too-many-clowns-coming-out-of-a-tiny-car" stunt; doing just about anything with a rubber chicken, tripping over ones own feet (or an air pocket or imaginary blemish in the floor), or riding any number of ridiculous vehicles or "clown bikes". Individual prop stunts are generally considered to be individual bits.
Please go to Wikipedia to read much more of this excellent article.
Brief descriptions of skits as examples, for inspiration, or for actual use.
Jokes, one liners, heckle replies.
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This section covers specific details related to rehearsals and shows at Triton Troupers Circus for clowns.
Lists of commonly recognized great clowns categorized by era.
National Clown Week (August 1-7 annually) proclamation by Richard Nixon (on August 2nd 1971).
"Whoever has heard the laughter of a child or seen sudden delight on the face of a lonely old man has understood in those brief moments mysteries deeper than love.
All men are indebted to those who bring such moments of quiet splendor-who redeem sickness and pain with joy. All across America good men in putty noses and baggy trousers following a tradition as old as man's need to touch gently the lives of his fellowman, go into orphanages and children's hospitals, homes for the elderly and for the retarded, and give a part of themselves. Today, as always, clowns and the spirit they represent are as vital to the maintenance of our humanity as the builders and the growers and the governors.
In the folklore of the world is the persistent claim that the heart of a clown is sad, and that all the gladness he provokes is simply a facade for the pain he cannot reveal to the world. In the myth is the kernel of reason: the clown leaves happiness where he goes, and takes misery away with him.
Yet we cannot suppose there is real truth in the myth. For surely the laugh-makers are blessed: they heal the heart of the world.
To call public attention to the charitable activities of clowns and the wholesome entertainment they provide for all our citizens, the Congress by a joint resolution approved October 8, 1970 (Public Law 91-433), has requested the President to designate the week of August 1 through August 7, 1971, as International Clown Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of August 1 through August 7, 1971, as International Clown Week. I invite the Governors of the States and the appropriate officials of other areas under the United States flag to issue similar proclamations.
I urge the people of the United States recognize the contributions made by clowns in their entertainment at children's hospitals, charitable institutions, for the mentally retarded, and generally helping to lift the spirits and boost the morale of our people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-sixth."
This glossary defines common circus acts by name.
This glossary is based on a prior glossary work used with permission from our esteemed colleagues Gamma Phi Circus.
Also see these comprehensive glossaries:
Circus Land
UK Inter-Circus
National Institute of Circus Arts, Australia
CLOWN PRAYER
As I stumble through this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more cheer than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.
Never let me become so indifferent,
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.
Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and forget momentarily,
all the unpleasantness in their lives.
And in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
“When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile.”
CLOWN CODE OF ETHICS / CLOWN COMMANDMENTS