The three most important elements of a clown character that will leave a lasting memory on your audience is; (a) The wig, (b) The nose, (c) The shoes. I’m sorry, but this statement (the topic of an article posted on a ‘well-known’ clown web ring) is such a sad commentary of what makes a clown a clown.
Anyone can dress up to ‘look’ like a clown. Anyone. But your audience is expecting much more then just a ‘good looking’ clown and if you want to work, you must be willing to deliver more than just ‘the look’.
My clown persona, Jamdealie D. Light, was recently invited to do a walk-around at the Cleveland Zoo for the AGS fundraising event. The first 15 minutes or so, I overheard both adults and children blurt out, “Look! It’s a clown!” That bothered me. Yes, Jamdealie is a clown, but you don’t hear folks say, ‘Look! It’s a human! Or Look! It’s a female!”
So, I changed my internal energy and within a very short time, and for the remainder of the time I was there, I heard, “Look at her!” Ahh, much better. In fact, I had people stopping me and saying things like, “Oh honey, you are quite the diva!” “Hey sweet thing, wiggle on over here!” I’m serious, Jamdealie was getting flirted with.
Are there any rules to clowning? According to Robert Kreidler, Headmaster of The Ohio College of Clowning Arts, the answer is, no. However, Robert does offer what he calls, Kreidler’s Operating Principles, KOPs.
KOPs, are ‘principium, Latin for ‘beginnings’. And to understand the following KOPs one must agree that these operating principles are based on the fact that clowns are ‘story tellers’ and the body is the instrument for the telling of the story.
I am taking the liberty to share these KOP’s with you and please note that I have shortened Robert’s definitions. To really learn this ancient and honorable art form, you do need training. Consider attending The Ohio College of Clowning Arts – and if the location is too far to drive, the school can come to you!
And now, without further ado, Robert Kreidler’s KOP’s.
You Gotta Have Heart! You’ve got to like them (the audience). You have to want them to feel good about himself or herself as a result of spending time with your clown. You want them to laugh so, build up your audience; don’t tear them down. Do not make the audience the butt of the joke. Let them in on the joke, but let your audience see you be the butt of the joke.
Respect the Space of Others Get out of their face! Don’t enter another person’s space uninvited. Just as we request permission to enter another’s home so we seek the same with respect to their personal space. Be cautious and respectful with toddlers and anyone that may have a fear of clowns.
Radiate Energy from the Center Locate your vital energy center and infuse your character with that energy. This internalized energy will vitalize your character, capture your audience’s attention and hold it. When we energize from within we become extraordinarily attractive.
Moderation in Nothing Make everything BIG! In clowning, delicacy and subtlety ARE NOT VIRTUES.
It Must Be Real Everything your clown does is real and is done in the real world. If you start from the premise that you are inviting your audience into the world of ‘make believe” then you will seldom entice them into your world. After all, if you do not believe that your story and world are real, why should your audience?
No Fourth Wall Establish contact with your audience and disregard the fourth wall that normally separates performer and audience. The audience is not the enemy; they are friends. If you permit it, your audience will energize you and your performance. So play to them! Play with them!
Less is More As a starting point, encumber yourself with no props and arm yourself only with your character. An interesting person is always preferable to a thing, so be very careful not to get lost behind skills such as magic, juggling, puppets, and especially balloons. Rather, make your bag of ‘stuff’ serve your character accentuating and invigorating it.
Be Centered Be present to who you are and what you are doing or about to do. Enter into your character prior to each performance and prior to each entrance during a performance. Once in character, stay there regardless of the circumstances.
Know Who You Are Recognize that the clown you play IS the you that you have always wanted to be. In your clown character you are expressing that part of yourself that you wish would come out more often.
Know Your Clown Build the story you want to tell into your clown character. That means you need to take the time to create an entire life history for your clown beginning with a character analysis. Character drives and defines your clown. Make-up, costume, skills are at the service of character – not vice versa.
So, what makes a clown a clown? The same thing that makes you – you. Your unique character attributes and your willingness to share your true self with others without any restraint along with your underlying intention or motivation. Now that’s clowning!
