How to Go to Clown College

It has been said, "To be a clown, you have to be a clown." If you are interested in clowning around for a living, you may want to attend a clown college. While you may be naturally funny and make the best balloon animals around, a little higher education in the art of clowning can give you marketable skills you might not get on your own. Read on to learn how to go to clown college.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine if you have what it takes to be a clown. If you are known for your sense of humor, love making people smile and laugh, and don't mind working hard, you will have a good chance of becoming a great clown.

2. Research various clown schools and colleges online, particularly locations, programs and costs. You can fund your schooling in various ways. If you are taking a few classes in general skills, you may be able to work out a barter arrangement. If you are looking at a degree program, financial aid is available if you qualify.

3. Decide what kind of clown you want to be, based on your interests. You can work with children, start a clown ministry, specialize in magic, hire out for corporate events, become a rodeo clown or an acrobatic clown, or explore countless other opportunities.

4. Take an inventory of skills you already have before entering clown college. Things like face painting, story telling, singing, silly dances and telling jokes are all things you may already know how to do.

5. Learn how to organize, promote and establish yourself in your own business after completion of your formal instruction--if you would prefer not to work for someone else, that is. If your program doesn't include them, enroll in a few non-clown courses, such as child psychology, advertising, marketing and bookkeeping.

Tips & Warnings

• Since some clown colleges aren't widely known, it is important for you to ask for and check a few recent references from some of the school's past students before arranging a campus tour and an administrative interview.

Resources

• Circus Clowning Conservatory
• Experimental Performing and Clowning School
• Clown Art Camps Throughout the United States
• Resource for Clown Schools all Over the World

[Fitzwilly]

on 11/17/2008 This article reads well but is nearly worthless. first of all, the term "Clown College" is trademarked by Ringling Brothers. The actual 8 to 10 courses ran from 1968 until 1997. These days Ringling brings instructors to the clowns on the show as they travel. There are other programs out that will teach you about clowning. Everything from a local clown group teaching a two hour basic class one a week for 10 or 12 weeks to a solid week long intensive like Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp (www.mooseburger.com) run by former Ringling clown Tricia Manuel. There are also international clown organizations (Clowns of America International is one www.coai.org) that offer a week long convention each spring with many classes and training opportunities to learn about clowning.