Clowning 

the art of clowning: more paths to your inner clown by eli simon 

INTRO 
● Clowning reveals profound aspects of your ​own p ​ ersona- often called your 
“inner child” 
● One of the basic differences between traditional acting and clowning is ​audience 
awareness.​ In clowning, the performers must always remain aware of those who 
are watching. This knowledge allows them to consciously and conscientiously 
bare their souls. 
● Clowning not only permits you to rediscover your playful self, but it also allows 
you to share meaningful discoveries with your audience.  
● As a clown, you are encouraged to ​fail, b
​ ut when you’re working on a script you 
have to get the lines ​right​.  
● Clowns lose creative momentum when they shut off the outside world by 
ignoring others on stage or neglecting to share heartfelt truths with the 
audience.  
● Everything an actor aspires to achieve- precise timing, artistic inspiration, 
listening and responding truthfully to what’s happening on stage- is equally 
vital to clowns.  
● When most people think of clowns, they conjure images of crazy looking guys 
with crazy costumes and makeup. You might wind up behaving and looking like 
an outlandish clown but for the time being, you’ll be much better served 
commencing with a more neutral approach. Let’s agree to start with a blank 
slate and then see how the clown in you takes shape.  
● When you are clowning, your kid-spirit is at play. Initially, you may not 
recognize your kid-spirit, yet moments of kid-discovery will surface 
unexpectedly and feel familiar.  
 
BIRTH 
● At least one of the reasons clowning is so riveting is that no two clowns are alike.  
● Clowns exhibit kaleidoscopic permutations that defy simplistic categorization. There’s 
just no predicting what will happen when you put on a red nose.  
● Nobody can inhabit your clown except ​you​ (nor can you inhabit someone else’s clown- 
tricks can be stolen but personas cannot) 
● I find a measure of comfort in knowing that you will be deeply connected to truths 
rather than just gags. Your clown will emanate from your inner life, and at the same 
time, it will remain closely connected to the outside world.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RULES 
● There are three guidelines for the audience and four rules for the clowns that must be 
diligently obeyed in order to ensure that each performer’s efforts are properly 
supported.  
AUDIENCE RULES 
1. LAUGH WHEN IT’S FUNNY AND DON’T LAUGH WHEN IT’S NOT 
● There is a very little that harms an emerging clown than “mercy laughter” 
● It’s important to a let a clown fail 
 
2. DO NOT TALK TO THE CLOWNS 
● Laugh, jeer, snicker, applaud, but avoid talking to the clown.  
 
3. CLAP FOR THE CLOWN 
● Whenever the clown enters or exits, applaud them!  
CLOWN RULES 
1. NEVER PUT ON OR TAKE OFF THE NOSE WHERE YOU CAN BE SEEN 
● Go behind the wall or turn away from the audience. This helps ensure that you 
are ​a clown rather than telegraphing that you’re playing the ​role ​of a clown. 
2. NO TALKING OR VERBAL SOUNDS 
● Articulating what is happening oftens prevents clowns from fully experiencing 
the truth of the moment.  
● Words permit clowns to get “heady” and explain their way out of a sticky 
situation.  
● When verbal interjections are vanquished, clowns begin to convey discoveries, 
inspirations, and emotions with the full extent of their physical being. 
3. CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE 
● Connecting with the audience means working toward a genuine relationship 
with those watching so that you can share feelings, inspirations, and 
discoveries.  
● This does not mean staring people down, but rather spreading your focus in 
order to keep the entire audience involved with what you experience.  
● Making eye contact allows you to gauge whether the audience “gets” what 
you’re experiencing as a clown.  
● You learn more about your clown through connecting with others.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. ALWAYS SAY YES 
● Practice projecting a can-do attitude. Wondrous moments arise when you try, 
try, and try again.  
● Whether you win or lose is not the point- what matters is embracing each 
moment​ as a clown. 
● Whatever your clown is up to, remain open to offers by ​accepting t​ hem 
whenever possible. 
● We root for clowns that can wriggle their way out of trouble, so you may as well 
practice the art of getting caught and covering your tracks.  
● Keep in mind the moment you say “no” your clown routine will grind to a 
screeching halt.  
 
FINDING YOUR CLOWN 
● Think of yourself as an explorer intent on discovering new worlds of artistic 
expression. Don’t settle on a narrow definition of your clown persona in early stages of 
development by thinking “My clown would never do that.” 
● Avoid making any determinations about what you can or cannot do as a clown. How 
will you know until you try?  
● As long as you are honestly sharing your journey with your audience, there is very little 
you need to do to call forth your persona.  
● KISS- Keep it simple, stupid.  
● Overanalyzing what is happening while it is happening can derail your creative 
momentum, especially in early stages of development. 
● Do not base clown possibilities on the realities of the non-clown world. If you exert too 
much control over initial clowning situations- by trying to make real world sense of 
them- you will squelch opportunities to strengthen your clown instincts.  
● Less is more.