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People smile when they see David practiced doesn’t mean David can’t Solove. In every city and every show, improvise. are inspired by his goal is the same: to be funny. their audiences to try new facial “There’s nothing like hearing 10,000 expressions or add new twists to by Olivia Crosby people laugh, and knowing you are the their acts. This flexibility brings reason why,” he says. “It’s better than excitement to the . anything.” Part acrobat, part actor, After a show, David scrubs off his David travels the country as a circus makeup and sometimes relaxes by . going to movies or restaurants with David performs with the Ringling other performers. He may also escort Bros. and & Bailey Circus. He the animals and their caretakers from and his fellow clowns portray larger- the circus grounds, answering ques- than-life characters full of exuber- tions and keeping onlookers a safe ance. They slip, fall, juggle, flip over, distance from the . large objects, throw pies, spit Clowning work often extends beyond water, and play tricks on each other to the ring. Before each performance, David entertain the audience. These activi- dresses in full clown regalia to meet ties are choreographed into several early arriving audience members, pass skits the clowns stage during a out stickers, pose for pictures, and offer performance. “Each show is 3 hours a glimpse behind the scenes. Other of top-notch high energy,” says David. times, he promotes the circus on local “You throw yourself around the ring.” television. And he also helps to set up Before performing, David pulls on a and repack props as the circus migrates purple wig and oversized shoes. He from town to town. paints his face—white chin and Circus clowns are constantly on eyelids, red cheekbones, and dark the . David’s troupe performs in freckles—and dons a bright, more than 90 cities every year. For purple suit with an orange David, traveling is one of the best polka-dotted tie. parts of the job but also one of the He may review a trick or most challenging. “Every week, we’re in two. But because he a new city,” he says. “Just finding a performs 500 shows a grocery store becomes an adventure.” year, he doesn’t need All Ringling performers travel on a much practice. The . Each of the 18 clowns has clowns and circus a private apartment, complete with a producers conceive kitchen and, often, a VCR, television, and develop the and computer. During the longest routines every trips, performers might spend 4 days other winter on the train. “The circus becomes like during 3 a family,” says David, “and the people months of are some of the most fun you’ll meet. uninter- We laugh a lot backstage.” rupted Between shows, the clowns rehearsal. sightsee or write letters. “You accumu- But late a lot of pen pals,” says David. He just because Olivia Crosby is a contributing editor to the OOQ, Photos of David Solove courtesy of Feld the gags are (202) 606-5716.

38 Occupational Outlook Quarterly ● Fall 1999 sends home a postcard from every ing. After graduating from the Ringling themselves, often clowning part time town he visits, and he writes a travel school, he auditioned for and accepted while maintaining full-time, salaried log for the circus’ website. a clown position. professions. They see clowning as an Ringling clowns, like clowns in Most clowns work in the circus for outlet for their creativity. They usually other companies, complete training only a few years. Constant travel, charge between $40 and $150 per before joining the circus. David physical demands, and separation from hour and, like all business owners, attended the Ringling Bros. and hometown friends cause high turn- have expenses such as supplies, Barnum & Bailey Clown College, an over. But David, a 7-year veteran, costumes, and liability insurance. experience he calls an “8-week boot continues to enjoy his work. “I love Circus clowns, in contrast, receive camp of comedy.” The college pro- the of the show and connecting salaries, medical benefits, and housing vided an overview of clowning skills, with the audience,” he says. and have few business expenses. They including costuming, clown character Fewer than 300 clowns work for can earn up to $300 a week to start. development, comic interaction, and circuses in the United States. An equal No matter where they work, acrobatic falls, slaps, and flips. This number of clownishly costumed clowns share common traits and training provided essential background. performers work for rodeos, accord- motivations. “You have to have a great “Slapstick is strenuous,” says David. ing to the Rodeo Clowns & Bullfight- sense of humor and a big heart,” says “You’d get hurt if you weren’t trained.” ers Association. The job of rodeo David. “It’s hard work, but if you love Clowns also learn from each other. clowns is, primarily, to protect bull it, it’s great!” New clowns work in support posi- riders and to work with bulls, so their tions for 1 year, performing as part of training is different from that of circus a group in the big production num- performers. bers. As they gain experience, they Many more clowns work alone, garner more of the spotlight. entertaining at birthday parties, for There is no single prerequisite for shopping mall promotions, in parades, clown schools, but most students have or at other events. Although these acting or acrobatic skills. “Our clowns clowns wear makeup and costumes come from diverse backgrounds,” like circus performers, many of the David says. “Every clown has special- skills they use are different. ties. Some are great actors who David points out, “You can’t interact wonderfully with the audi- throw pies and fall down in ence. Some can’t juggle but are terrific someone’s living room.” Instead, acrobats.” And others have unusual event clowns paint children’s faces, tell abilities, such as balancing motorcycles jokes, perform comical magic, and atop ladders they carry in their hands. twist balloon animals. Because they David earned a bachelor’s degree in work in a small space, their movement acting before auditioning for clown is contained, and they rely on direct school. But he had been a performer interaction with the audience. long before that. During elementary Like circus clowns, event clowns school, he created puppet shows and need formal training to become once organized a benefit for marketable professionals. Rex Nolan, muscular dystrophy research. In high Education Director for Clowns of school and college, he wrote and America International, one of the performed children’s theater. largest clowning associations, says It wasn’t until his senior year in event clowns attend camps, confer- college that David learned about ences, and short classes to learn their clown school. He attended the school craft. Most also belong to local to improve his theatrical skills, but he organizations called clown alleys. soon discovered a passion for clown- Many event clowns work for

Occupational Outlook Quarterly ● Fall 1999 39