When trained as a clown for the Childrens' Memorial troupe, I was told we would not wear make up. At the suggestion of another caring_clown, I have added a circle of rouge to each cheek, which is festive.

I have never felt that the use of make up would enhance my clowning, and it has sometimes been useful to be able to instantly "declown" (remove glasses/nose, hat/wig) when facing a frightened chld.

Usually, after we become friends, the child agrees that I can put my clown trappings back on. I do remember one girl (of about 5)
who was happy to play once I removed my clown trappings, but when I asked her if I could wear my clown hat and wig again, she vigorously shook her head "no, no".

Clowns who wear make up must feel a benefit or why go through that trouble and expense? I am interested to hear the pro/con opinions and experiences of other caring clowns.

Interesting topic for a clown-in-training such as myself. I never thought of a clown NOT wearing make-up. I guess I took for granted that was part of the "costume."

I belong to a clown alley which will be focusing on make-up at our next meeting. I will try to remember to ask the question.

Make up can be very light and just enhance a funny look or it can be gaudy or cover up a multitude of things.

My first clown, Angus McClown, was a Scottish fellow with a beard. I weighed 60 lbs more than I do now and I was probably frightening with my booming voice and gregarious approach.

Now, I have lost 60 lbs and shaved the beard. Johnny Sunshine still wears quite a bit of makeup though and I wouldn't do it any other way. It is a rare time when I am unable to get down to the child's level and relieve some of the fears. Even with the make up.

For me, the make up is essential. But I have seen very limited make up work for others very well, too.

I think you have to be the person you are most comfortable being.

hugs and giggles,
nosotros creemos!
Johnny

As a beginning hospital clown, my make-up was terrible; I am almost embarassed to look at pictures of my old self. Since I had been a whiteface at a Halloween party, this is what I attempted to use.Would have made a great circus clown face. Luckily I attended a clown workshop in St. Catherine's Ontario and had a hospital face designed by "Bubba" or J T Sikes in real life, that was much more appropriate. My Auguste is simple and soft and I've had lots of compliments from patients and staff so I know I'm not scary anymore. As someone stated, you have to do what makes you feel "in character" and your makeup shouldn't be such a chore that you don't look forward to clowning. My only advice is that whatever you do, make it neat; in our kind clowning we are face to face with our audience.

Hi Fellow Clowns, I am in agreement with parts of all the other replies. I volunteer in a Hospital in NJ and my makeup has been a real boost to most every patient I visit. Jim Howle has been my makeup supplier and gave me a great auguste face which I have worked with for the past year with much success. Staff as well as patients enjoy the eyelashes and sparkle I use. Two important points made, you need to be comfortable with your makeup, and it needs to be applied sparingly and neet because you are upclose and personal. It's a real break from the sterile atmosphere. Most of all you have to be able to have fun with it. Ordinary is what the patient sees constantly...the costume and makeup sort of catches them off guard and takes them out of the hospital relm for a few moments. Nurse Ivy chews gum and hasn't finished reading the chapter on thermometers so she is willing to come back latter to take a tempature...mean while she leaves them with a wink and a smile...sticker that is!

Thanks to all for your input about make up. Making Clown Dode a bit more fanciful to the eye, particularly since I plan to shed the glasses/nose that mask my facial expressiveness ( thanks, Shobi), makes sense and I plan to experiment.

I like to use full makeup because I want to be interpreted as being a "real clown". I think people appreciate the effort that goes into makeup. I do think your makeup design needs to be planned out so it is not "scary".
I can understand the reasoning of simplicity if you do this in your spare time and an hour of make-up is more than you can give to it. It is more important that you make the visit if it is a matter of being able to visit or not(Because of the time involved with full makeup).

I have mixed feelings about wearing makeup. I do believe that you can be just as scarey with little makeup as well as with full face. For years I have clowned in hospitals in full face and had very little problem with patients being scared. I did learn to wear little makeup on Payasos con Corazon which worked fine. I think that is the clown within you and how your present it that is the most important thing. I say go with what helps you be a better clown. Just one other comment is that going with less makeup, which I have started doing, is certainly an easier method of application and much cooler. Lois Elliott aka Dr.Dot/Zanie

Greetings!

An intresting topic for exploration! I really don't think there is a right or wrong here, so I'll share my opinion.

1)I feel a clown should wear something on the face for makeup, even if minimal, and natural.

2)When you see the clown in a line up of ten people, nine being civilians, and one being a clown, you should be able to readily identify the clown.

3) Whatever you are wearing for makeup and for wardrobe should be professionally applied, clean, and professional looking. And of course non-threatning in appearance!

Within those guidelines, I say go for it. And thats alot of wiggle room! I myself prefer to wear makeup. Though I like a very natural european/character style makeup. I am a very natural looking character style clown when performing my normal clowning. And when I do hospital and caring clowning, I do an even more naturalized and reduced version of that face. The school of thought in regards to hospital clown makuep that I follow tends to be similar to that of the Big Apple clown doctors, as I've studied under many clowns who have worked in their ranks. It's a clownish, yet natural and non-threatning look. Shobi Dobi speaks about, and covers this issue, and style of minimal makeup application in her book she Co-Authored with Patty Wooten-- "The Hospital Clown: A Closer Look". She even goes as far as to show a series of photos of herself, and the makeups she uses for parades and large groups, her makeup for parties and stage, and then a photo showing her caring clown makuep. It shows the progression from bold traditional down to appropriate hospital makeup. She also has several other photos as examples for comparison, and to show variety in styles.

As to the issue of being viewed as a real clown in full traditional makeup more than minimal, I don't believe that. I am seen as a real true clown just as much in my little minimal hospital makeup, just as I am in my full regalia. Makeup doesnt make a clown, in reality, to other clowns, or to your audience, beleive it or not!

But all this has been just my personal opinion. It's not the only way to do it.....just my way! You have to do what works best for you and your clown.

I really dont think theres a right way and a wrong way for caring clown makeup.

Best Regards!
Brad

Thanks Brad for sharing your views. I agree that makeup does not make the clown and feel that "clown substance" lies in the clown's behavior and not in the clown's appearance. That said, MaryAnn's point that it's nice for the patient to see other than "ordinary" is well taken.

Dr. Clowne, Head of Dode's Funnybone Care Team wears a peach colored ProKNOSE tip and no makeup. Her brightly colored clothing, neon blue shoes and striped clown socks, lab coat with clown flower on the lapel, plunger stethoscope, and Mikey Mouse cap insure she is identified as a clown in a line up, and has never failed to take the patient out of the ordinary.

My facial expressions are an integral part of my clowning and I feel that the use of makeup dilutes them.

I also agree that there is no right or wrong and each clown must "deck out" to enhance his/her patient interaction, however that works for him. As Dr. Dot so aptly said, "go with what helps you be a better clown".

[This message was edited by Clown Dode/Dr. Clowne on June 29, 2003 at 04:50 AM.]