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Sarah Mitchell — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
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How to Handle Become a Clown Step by Step

When become a clown leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Outfits

1

Wear oversized shoes.

Wear oversized shoes.
A typical clown wears enormous shoes that are bright and shiny. Look for a pair of these at a costume shop.
  • A typical clown wears enormous shoes that are bright and shiny.
  • Look for a pair of these at a costume shop.
  • A typical clown wears enormous shoes that are bright and shiny.
  • Look for a pair of these at a costume shop.
  • A typical clown wears enormous shoes that are bright and shiny.
Part 2

Makeup

1

Add your own details.

Add your own details.
All clowns have their own styles. Look at various pictures of clowns and pick out the clown makeup details that interest you most. Here are some examples:
  • All clowns have their own styles.
  • Look at various pictures of clowns and pick out the clown makeup details that interest you most.
  • Here are some examples:
  • All clowns have their own styles.
  • Look at various pictures of clowns and pick out the clown makeup details that interest you most.
Part 3

Performance

1

Acquire clown accessories.

Acquire clown accessories.
Clowns always have tricks up their sleeves, from balloon animals to card tricks to handkerchiefs for juggling. Here are some examples of things you might want in your own clown arsenal.
  • Clowns always have tricks up their sleeves, from balloon animals to card tricks to handkerchiefs for juggling.
  • Here are some examples of things you might want in your own clown arsenal.
  • Clowns always have tricks up their sleeves, from balloon animals to card tricks to handkerchiefs for juggling.
  • Here are some examples of things you might want in your own clown arsenal.
  • Clowns always have tricks up their sleeves, from balloon animals to card tricks to handkerchiefs for juggling.
2

Practice your performance for a small audience.

Practice your performance for a small audience.
Gather a group of people you know and trust to evaluate your clown performance. If you know any other people who clown, ask them to critique your performance. Practice your performance as though it is the “real thing” and ask them to write down comments for you on ways to improve it and things that are working well. Here are some questions you can ask them:
  • Gather a group of people you know and trust to evaluate your clown performance.
  • If you know any other people who clown, ask them to critique your performance.
  • Practice your performance as though it is the “real thing” and ask them to write down comments for you on ways to improve it and things that are working well.
  • Here are some questions you can ask them:
  • Gather a group of people you know and trust to evaluate your clown performance.
3

Decide what kind of work you want to pursue as a clown.

Decide what kind of work you want to pursue as a clown.
Many clowns start out in the world of freelancing, but, eventually, clowns either focus on freelance work or try to start performing with a circus. Decide which of these options is for you. Do you want to stay in one place to do freelance work, or would you travel with a circus?
  • Many clowns start out in the world of freelancing, but, eventually, clowns either focus on freelance work or try to start performing with a circus.
  • Decide which of these options is for you.
  • Do you want to stay in one place to do freelance work, or would you travel with a circus?
  • Many clowns start out in the world of freelancing, but, eventually, clowns either focus on freelance work or try to start performing with a circus.
  • Decide which of these options is for you.
Part 4

Freelance Clown Work

1

Master in-demand clowning skills.

Master in-demand clowning skills.
Focus on skills that people typically want from clowns. Getting really good at these skills will allow you to give your customers what they want. Here are some typical clown “acts” that people love to see:
  • Focus on skills that people typically want from clowns.
  • Getting really good at these skills will allow you to give your customers what they want.
  • Here are some typical clown “acts” that people love to see:
  • Focus on skills that people typically want from clowns.
  • Getting really good at these skills will allow you to give your customers what they want.
2

Perform for free.

Perform for free.
Offer to do a friend’s child’s birthday party free of charge. Many clowns succeed because of word of mouth. If you offer to do one birthday party for free, you might get three more offers from parents at the party.
  • Offer to do a friend’s child’s birthday party free of charge.
  • Many clowns succeed because of word of mouth.
  • If you offer to do one birthday party for free, you might get three more offers from parents at the party.
  • Offer to do a friend’s child’s birthday party free of charge.
  • Many clowns succeed because of word of mouth.
Part 5

Circus Clown Work

1

Do a couple of freelance gigs.

Do a couple of freelance gigs.
Try to get some more minor gigs--like birthday parties or festivals--before you audition for the circus. Practice your skills and performance.
  • Try to get some more minor gigs--like birthday parties or festivals--before you audition for the circus.
  • Practice your skills and performance.
  • Try to get some more minor gigs--like birthday parties or festivals--before you audition for the circus.
  • Practice your skills and performance.
  • Try to get some more minor gigs--like birthday parties or festivals--before you audition for the circus.
2

Audition for the circus.

Audition for the circus.
Look online to find job openings at different circuses. Look into the big circuses, such as Cirque du Soleil and the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey, but also don’t be afraid to begin your career with a smaller circus. If you've taken classes or known other clowns, ask them if they know of upcoming job opportunities. Apply for every job you think you could do. Although there are many job openings in circus careers, having options is still good.
  • Look online to find job openings at different circuses.
  • Look into the big circuses, such as Cirque du Soleil and the Ringling Bros.
  • & Barnum and Bailey, but also don’t be afraid to begin your career with a smaller circus.
  • If you've taken classes or known other clowns, ask them if they know of upcoming job opportunities.
  • Apply for every job you think you could do.

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