Next Step Workshop

The World Clown Association sponsors scholarships to various educational venues including the Next Step Workshop.  A few years ago, Laura Anderson attended with the aid of the WCA. This is her report that was published in WCA's magazine, Clowning Around.

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Thank you,  

World Clown Association

You gave me the opportunity to go to The Next Step Workshop.  Before you, I had never signed up for any scholarships outside of our local troupe. This was the perfect training for me. I felt as if I had won the lottery. If you are a clown that wants to add to your existing clown ministry this program is a must. I hope my whole family will want to go someday.  

Even if you have zero interest in clown ministry, I promise this program will make you a better clown.  You will receive gentle criticism, not harsh criticism. This is rare, because many of us (including myself) have strong personalities. We can easily be misunderstood. This may make some give up. At my first clown convention, I about gave up on clown conventions all together.  I was hurt by criticisms I received there. I had never cried so much in my entire life.  I thought if this was what a clown convention was like, then I did not want any part of it.

Well, I gave up my pride a year ago and tried once more. I learned that the people I thought were grumpy were super generous, kind, and even shared my faith.  I learned to love everyone else and their different personalities.

 Once I put my feelings aside, I reached “the Next Step.” I learned how to slow down and pause.  I learned to really play with the kids because I did not pack any of my normal clown stuff.  I had no choice but to learn.  I learned that Randy really takes time to figure someone out, even when you don’t know that is what he is up to.  He is a sneaky guy that way.  LOL!

 A long time ago I was told I did not know how to spit.  It was a very true statement, and I finally got it! . I learned Mime concepts.  For those that know me I will never try being a professional mime because I do not know how to shut my mouth that long.  I have a lot to work on because I am not where I want to be.  I don’t know if I will ever get there when there is so much to learn.  All I can tell you for this clown that has been clowning professionally since 2001 is that I learned more in this past week than any other experience that I have had.

Every person gave me something to strive to be.  Jeff McMullen trusts God to guide his paths, Colleen Fouts is super sweet and funny, I only wish I could cook and keep house like Karen Christensen, and Randy-- Next Step taught me I need to pay attention to people more and to listen.  If you don’t pause to listen, you won’t learn. Again, thank you World Clown Association, Randy Christensen, Karen Christensen, Jeff McMullen, and Colleen Fouts for helping me take the Next Step.

Laura “Daizy Dee” Anderson

# posted by Randy @ 9:44 AM