With their wacky wigs, in-your-face red noses, and comically oversized shoes, circus clowns may have many tricks up their (bouffant) sleeves, but they ultimately specialize in one thing, and that's bringing smiles to the audience's faces.
But when did clowns come to be? Are there different types of clowns? Is clown college actually a thing? If you've ever asked yourself these questions, keep reading. Grab your clique and cram them into a tiny clown car because, in this article, we're shining a spotlight on circus clowns and the fascinating world they inhabit, along with their history, art, comic slant, and the work they put in to become the best clown at the circus.
The Rich History of Circus Clowns
The Origins and Evolution of Circus Clowns
Clowns at the circus have been around since the early days of circus performances, roughly in the late 18th Century. Initially, these jesters did it all: comedy, drama, and acrobatics. That all shifted by the 19th Century, when clowns narrowed their focus by sticking to humor almost exclusively.
Since they first burst onto the scene all those years ago, clowns have evolved in many ways. Their appearances may differ from one region to the next. For example, the French clown, Europe's version of clowns tends to have faces painted in all white. In North America, however, character clowns are more popular, mimicking everyday people and societal roles.
Circus Clowns in the 20th Century
In the 20th Century, this type of clown evolved from jokesters to embodying more relatable, even diverse, personas, primarily due to world events like the Great Depression. A clown at a circus would mirror real-life experiences for comedic effect.
Over time, their acts evolved to stay engaging and relevant with modern audiences. Performances have become more sophisticated, even incorporating other performance genres, such as mime work, to keep audiences entertained and delighted.
Types of Circus Clowns
Traditional Clown Types
You already know Pennywise, Krusty, Bozo, or maybe you’re familiar with clowns from Cirque du Soleil’s shows. But there are tons of different clowns out there, each with their own distinct set of skills and bubbly personas. Allow us to introduce you to the other clowns you might encounter at the circus—yes, even during your favorite Cirque du Soleil performance.
The Whiteface Clown
In the world of clowning, The Whiteface Clown, or White Clown is iconic—the Cher of the circus, if you will. You'll know it's a White Clown by the stark white makeup covering their face and exaggerated features, giving them an uncanny valley type of look. Donning elaborate costumes and serving as a master of ceremonies in the ring, chances are you'll see a White clown sooner rather than later.
The Auguste
In contrast to the more 'serious' White clowns, Auguste clowns serve as comic relief. You'll spot them from their mismatched colorful clothing and can't-miss costumes. They're often the butt of the joke, the heart of the slapstick gags. Auguste clowns are the foil to a White clown's strait-laced role, an interplay that keeps the laughter coming in hot.
The Character Clown
Character Clowns pay homage to regular folk through caricature or satire. Their process draws on familiar roles, making the performance all the more relatable and engaging. Perhaps the most renowned character clown is Emmett Kelly's "Weary Willie," a comedic characterization of a downtrodden everyman. This portrayal helped revolutionize the role of a circus clown in the 20th century.
Contemporary Clown Types
Eventually, a more modern type of clown has emerged as circuses adapt to the modern audience's changing tastes. While they draw on the rich heritage of their predecessors, these clowns infuse performances with contemporary themes and innovative acts, blurring the lines between the traditional clown at the circus and ushering in a new era of modern circus instead.
Notable Circus Clowns Throughout History
Pioneers and Innovators
Emerging from 19th-century England, a man named Joseph Grimaldi happens to be a key figure in the history of clowning. Renowned as the father of modern clowning, Grimaldi redefined the Whiteface performer into a character that blended comedy with sharp social commentary. So influential was this pioneer that even to this day, clowns are sometimes referred to as "Joeys" in his honor.
Other notable clowns followed Grimaldi's lead, namely entertainers like Matthew Sully, George L. Fox and Marceline Orbes in the 19th century or Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton later. Their unique contributions helped shape the art form into what it is today.
American Circus Legends
Numerous legendary circus performers originated in America, this influencing the art of the circus clown. Among them was Emmett Kelly, mentioned above, who is revered for his "Weary Willie" character. At the time, this character was a massive departure from what had been previously seen. Kelly is largely considered one of the most memorable american circus clowns performers of the 20th Century.
The American circuses landscape has seen its share of character clowns, each bringing their unique flair and diverging from the traditional Whiteface archetype to help enrich the circus-goer's experience and leave a lasting impact on American entertainment.
International Clowning Icons
Circus clowns aren't just an American thing. There are clowns everywhere, all over the world, each reflecting the cultural characteristics of their homelands.
European circuses are renowned for their classic jesters and mime artists, who have honed the art of silent comedy. In contrast, Asian and Latin American circuses have given way to dynamic, acrobatic clowns, who add an energetic dimension to clown performances.
Circus Clown Training and Education
Becoming a circus clown is no easy feat—the journey to being a clown at a circus demands intense training and deep appreciation for the art. Typically, clowns take part in extensive and comprehensive training programs to help them improve their performance skills.
Usually, these programs cover a wide range of performances, including physical comedy, acrobatics, improv, and more. A well-rounded clown is the best clown there can be.
Here are the key components of clown education.
Physical Training
Clowns need to hit the gym, too! Strength and acrobatic training along with coordination skills are all pivotal elements in clown education for nailing exaggerated movements and performing for extended periods of time on stage.
Performance Skills
Clowns need to be well-versed in different forms of performance, whether comedic, dramatic, or other. This gives them the range to adapt to anything unfolding around them on stage or in the audience.
Emotional Expression
Emotions are a huge aspect of clowning. Clowns are emotionally intelligent, which makes them so skilled at connecting with diverse audiences.
Now that you've learned a little more about clowns, the extensive prep work it takes to become a professional, and the level of artistry involved, it's easy to see why these performers are considered the circus's beating heart.
Becoming a clown is a journey that demands intense training and tons of creativity—so let's tip our hats and honk our clown noses in support to clowns, and their passion for bringing joy to the world.
The Life of a Circus Clown
Daily Responsibilities and Skills
A day in the life of a circus clown is so much more than a playful performance, theatrical makeup, or spectacular costumes. These seasoned performers put a lot of work into their craft, including:
- Training hard to maintain agility and stamina
- Working on new routines to keep things fresh and exciting!
- Developing scripts to make sure their acts are funny and resonant with audiences
- Rehearsing, rehearsing again, and then rehearsing some more.
In other words, becoming a circus clown requires much more than slapstick comedy expertise. It's a skill learned and honed over time that demands impeccable timing, emotional intelligence, and an ease with improvising.
Work Environment and Challenges
Circus clowns thrive in a dynamic work environment—every day is unpredictable and exhilarating! But the thrills of live performance couldn't happen without a degree of resilience and resourcefulness. The circus clown may, at any given moment, need to:
- Adapt to different performance spaces, each with its unique constraints and opportunities
- Build and nurture connections with diverse audiences, transcending language barriers
- Handle the physical demands of the job—which can be taxing on the body
- Deal with the nomadic lifestyle of being in the circus.
Earnings and Career Outlook
Anyone interested in earning a living as a clown should consider the opportunities for earning within the profession. Compensation for circus clowns has a wide range and is often a reflection of experience, notoriety, and the size and scope of the circus. Outside of clowning around, many performers take on corporate gigs or parties to supplement their income.
As modern circuses adapt to changing tastes and social views, becoming a full-time professional clown isn't without its share of challenges. Still, anyone who decides to pursue this craft typically does so because they view the profession as a calling, not just a job. The rewards go beyond financial compensation. It's a legacy of entertainers who bring joy, delight, and laughter to all.
The Art of Clown Makeup and Costumes
Makeup and costumes are an essential part of the performance. Whiteface clowns usually wear more sophisticated makeup whereas Auguste clowns paint their faces in more exaggerated and colorful makeup, playing up the humor.
Similarly, costume choice is made to represent the clown's personality—while they may be ultra-elaborate or simpler and sophisticated, costumes worn by clowns always tend to be visually striking but functional so the clown can move around with ease. Beyond that, you'll often see clowns wearing vibrant colors and patterns. This makes them easy to spot on stage and grab attention.
It's all for the love of the show!
Circus Clown Terminology and Slang
Like any vocation, the world of circus clowns has its own rich language and jargon. Consider this a glossary of terms.
Whiteface Clowns
They're what you think of when you think of a circus clown. Whiteface clowns are known for their mime-like silent performances and exaggerated expressions.
Auguste Clowns
The Auguste clown delights audiences with slapstick humor. These zany characters often wear oversized clothes and are known for being clumsy—in fact, they're masters of pratfalls.
Character Clowns
Character clowns are eccentric, uniting traditional theatrics with modern storytelling and drawing inspiration from icons of the medium like Joseph Grimaldi and Emmett Kelly.
Don't be a clown college dropout—flex your knowledge and learn these terms:
- Gag: A comic bit or routine.
- Bit: A smaller segment of an act.
- Walk-around: An interactive session where clowns mingle with the crowd for spontaneous entertainment.
- Gig: An opportunity for clowns to engage and bring joy to their audience.
Are You Ready to Take to the Stage?
Clowns have been part of the mainstream for centuries now. From kid’s media to horror films by way of circus acts, these performers have honed their skill and represented proudly their art form, entertaining the masses around the globe. The exploration of circus clowns and the multiple ways they manifest their artistry is a fascinating subject. If you are considering taking on clowning as a hobby, a career or simply playing the part for a day, we encourage you to embrace the ridicule and make the people around smile and laugh! Work and dedication are key to your success in this fantastic (and let’s say it, unserious) world!
Frequently Asked Questions About Circus Clowns
Still have questions about clowns? Here, we're answering some of the most commonly asked questions about the profession.
What Defines a Modern Clown in the Circus?
Easy. Contemporary clowns often incorporate contemporary cues and art forms into their acts. They're as much storytellers and social commentators as they are entertainers.
Are Circus Clowns Trained Differently Than Other Types of Performers?
Absolutely. Circus clowns, much like any other circus performers, undergo major training before ever setting foot on stage. But their toolbox is vast, encompassing skills like comedy, mime work, acrobatics, and sometimes they need to have musical sensibilities. It's tough but satisfying work.
Who Was Emmett Kelly and Why Is He Significant?
Emmett Kelly was an American circus performer, renowned for his persona as the "white clown" or "sad clown." He's best known for bringing his character "Weary Willie" to the masses, a notable contribution as Weary Willie shifted away from surrealism and into a more relatable performance, resonating with those struggling during the Great Depression.
How Do Clowns Communicate With Each Other During Performances?
Did you know that clowns have their own unique slang that allows them to communicate swiftly and effectively during performances? That's how they're able to signal to one another without breaking character.