Archive for August 30, 2013

Ringling Clown Auditions – Another Update

It is that time of year again, Ringling is planning their Clown College Auditions and announced the third and final audition date. They had previously announced they would hold auditions in Dallas Texas on Friday, August 9th and in San Francisco, CA on Friday, August 30th. The date for St. Louis, MO is now said to be Saturday, September 7th, 2013 from 3:30pm – 6:30pm at Circus Harmony At City Museum, on 701 N 15th St., St. Louis, MO 63103.

For full details, see their website.

If you plan to attend, you must register. They have a form you can use on their website.

Here is a little more information from their website…

What do you look for in applicants to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College?

An overactive funny bone and a heart the size of Texas! Also: improvisational ability, a sense of timing, and a sincere desire to be a clown with The Greatest Show On Earth® are necessary characteristics of a potential applicant. Previous professional clowning experience is not required.

What happens when candidates are selected at an audition to continue being evaluated?

They will have an opportunity to see a performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and a more detailed application will be filled out. From there, potentially, another meeting and an intensive training session will be held. The entire process will be reviewed to determine if there’s a mutual fit, and if so, a one year contract could be offered.

REQUIREMENTS:
Auditionees must be 18 or older and come prepared to show a 3-5 minute routine. This routine should display exaggerated facial expressions and body language, showcase any unique physical skills (juggling, unicycle riding, gymnastics, etc.) and demonstrate an understanding of their comedy, a sense of personality and a true desire to become a member of the world famous, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Clown Alley.

IMPORTANT:
Auditionees should not wear any clown makeup and should not wear any costumes. Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn. It is preferred, but not required, that you bring a headshot and a resume to your audition.

Mike Richter – Ringling Clown

Clownfest 2013

This year, Clownfest went on the road to a new town. The 32nd Annual Clownfest took place in Lancaster PA, from August 22nd to the 24th, 2013.

Back to School Jokes

Q: Why was school easier for cave people?
A: Because there was no history to study!

Q: Why did the teacher need to wear sunglasses at school?
A: Because she had bright students!

Q: What’s the king of all school supplies?
A: The ruler.

Q: What is the chemical formula for water?
A: H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O. (H to O)

Q: What’s the difference between a teacher and a train?
A: A teacher says, “Spit out that gum!” and a train says, “Chew! Chew!”

Summer Jokes

Q: What did the one pig say to the another at the beach?
A: I’m bacon!

Q: Which is faster, heat or cold?
A: Heat, because you can catch a cold!

Q: What did the one tornado say to the other?
A: Let’s twist again like we did last summer.

Q: What did the thermometer say to the other thermometer?
A: You make my temperature rise.

Q: Why did the clown go outdoors with her purse open?
A: Because she expected some change in the weather.

Magic Beard

Never let a good beard go to waste…. While not a clown video, it is fun to watch. By Ben Garvin

http://blogs.twincities.com/flashgarvin/

American Clown Academy

Going to the American Clown Academy… it is just one week away. They have a week-long camp teaching the Fine Art of Clowning and it starts next week. This year’s camp happens August 19-23, 2013 in Newark Ohio. They are about 40 minutes from the Columbus airport, and 10 minutes from I-70.

Check them out on facebook as they have some fun videos to help you get ready.

Clown Memorial Service at The Showman’s Rest

(Inter)National CLOWN WEEK observance at SHOWMEN’S REST is a loving and festive remembrance of circus artists past, held in the nation’s most well known final resting place for circus artists, remembered especially for its elephant statues and roustabout headstones. This event includes speakers, placing of flowers, circus arts performances, lots of fun stuff for kids including activities and entertainment and contests with prizes, snacks and drinks, and many many many clowns.

The Hagenback-Wallace Circus Train Disaster:
On June 22, 1918, the time at about 4:00 am Dawn was not yet painting the eastern sky. The Hagenback-Wallace Circus was scheduled to present its fabulous spectacle in the Show Grounds at 150th and Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Ind.

An empty troop train was approaching at full speed from behind, piloted by engineer Alonzo Sargent, who had previously been fired for sleeping on the job. Ignoring the red lights, at Signal No. 2581 and the efforts of a frantic flagman to signal the oncoming train, it plowed into the back of the circus train, destroying three sleeping cars before finally coming to a halt. A fire then broke out. Survivors of the crash, trapped under the wreckage, were unable to free themselves and escape the flames. An estimated 86 people died in the accident. No animals were killed. Most of the dead were roustabouts who had been hired hours or days earlier for the Hagenback-Wallace performance in Michigan City. Among Circus performers were often known only by nicknames, and many had joined only recently. The stones shown here are labeled “Baldy” and “4 Horse Driver”; almost all of the others simply read “Unknown Male”, followed by a number. Among the dead were Arthur Dierckx and Max Nietzborn of the “Great Dierckx Brothers” strong man act and Jennie Ward Todd of “The Flying Wards”.

http://www.showmensleague.org/showmens-rest

Ringling Clown College Auditions – Updated

It is that time of year again, Ringling is planning their Clown College Auditions and announced the second audition date. A month ago, they announced they would hold auditions in Dallas Texas on Friday, August 9th. Now, they have announced there will be auditions in San Francisco, CA on Friday, August 30th. The date for St. Louis, MO is still listed as TBA.

For full details, see their website.

Dallas Texas
Friday, August 9th
10am – 1pm
American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave
Dallas, TX 75219

San Francisco, CA
Friday, August 30th
10am – 1pm
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94134

If you plan to attend, you must register. They have a form you can use on their website.

Here is a little more information from their website…

What do you look for in applicants to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College?

An overactive funny bone and a heart the size of Texas! Also: improvisational ability, a sense of timing, and a sincere desire to be a clown with The Greatest Show On Earth® are necessary characteristics of a potential applicant. Previous professional clowning experience is not required.

What happens when candidates are selected at an audition to continue being evaluated?

They will have an opportunity to see a performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and a more detailed application will be filled out. From there, potentially, another meeting and an intensive training session will be held. The entire process will be reviewed to determine if there’s a mutual fit, and if so, a one year contract could be offered.

REQUIREMENTS:
Auditionees must be 18 or older and come prepared to show a 3-5 minute routine. This routine should display exaggerated facial expressions and body language, showcase any unique physical skills (juggling, unicycle riding, gymnastics, etc.) and demonstrate an understanding of their comedy, a sense of personality and a true desire to become a member of the world famous, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Clown Alley.

IMPORTANT:
Auditionees should not wear any clown makeup and should not wear any costumes. Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn. It is preferred, but not required, that you bring a headshot and a resume to your audition.

Whiteface Circus Clown Makeup

This is a step-by-step video on how to apply whiteface clown makeup. She has been clowning for 5 years; and loves every minute of it. She was trained by clowns from Ringling Brothers, and hopes to work there some day 🙂 She currently perform at festivals and volunteer as an assistant advance clown for Kelly Miller Circus.