In a few weeks, thanks to Patricia, I have a wonderful opportunity. This got me thinking about things. (Im going to go in reverse order and tell you what Ive been thinking about, then go into that opportunity. Ill understand if you want to skip this and read something shorter.) When I was younger, I loved comedy. As I grew older, I loved comedy. These days, I find myself a big fan of comedy. Faced with the realities of having to leave the public schooling system, I found myself looking into all sorts of different ways to fill my time on this planet, and I had this nagging urge to pursue comedy. It was my love of the old entertainers - the ones that knew how to not only SPEAK funny, but BE funny, that drew me to physical comedy. Thats when clown college came along. Clown. Weird word, I know. The word clown brings to mine many unfavorable things in the minds of many Americans. In days gone by, that wasnt always the case. Ive said it a million times, and Ill say it a million times more, Buster Keaton, the Three Stooges, Steve Martin, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley, Jim Carrey - these are all clowns. I choose to go to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baileys Clown College because of a conversation I had with Dick Monday. It was he who convinced me that clowning was far greater than the limited understanding I (as most Americans) had of it. He convinced me that my love of improvisation and sketch comedy would not only be enhanced, but have a home in the three-rings. Not only that, Id have the unique opportunity to study my craft in hundreds up on hundreds of shows. Ive been fortunate enough to study physical comedy in one of its purest forms; in the hallowed rings of the Greatest Show on Earth. From there I took my take on comedy to the stages of Las Vegas in shows like The Second City and later to the grand chapiteau of Cirque du Soleil. I loved each and every opportunity to do what I love while going deeper and deeper in my understanding of the art form. These past few months, Ive started a real job in the business world and it never ceases to amaze me how much of my past applies. As the manager of a sales team, its my job to help a team of people effectively communicate a message, and I draw on my past - daily. The challenge has been fun, and I find myself enjoying it more than I could have imagined. But, I still miss my art. This brings me to my great opportunity! Patricia is the creator of one of the last places on earth, focused on teaching the time-honored tradition of big circus comedy! Some of Ringlings clowns have found the training they needed at her camp, and with time, clowns from her program will find themselves in higher and higher places of prominence. This camp isnt for the career-performers, only. Equally in attendance are those who love the craft and consider it a hobby. Each year, Patricia invites someone to join the staff as a special guest, and I was beyond amazed and greatly appreciative of the fact she asked me to take that spot. For one week, Natalie and I will travel to a lake in Minnesota where I get to share some of my experience and perspective with other like-minded artists. Im the special guest! How cool is that?! I couldnt be happier!
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:58:02 +0000
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