Next Step Workshop

We see this throughout history in the lives of comedic artists. Charlie Chaplin, the little tramp, did not only perform as his little tramp. Chaplin also wrote his movies. He directed his movies. Often, he wrote the musical score for his movies. At the beginning of the opening credits of one of my favorite silent screen films “The Circus,”¹ you can hear Chaplin himself sing the song “Smile.” He was a multifaceted artist that expressed himself creatively in multiple ways.

Red Skelton, known for his comedy, also painted, sang and spent long hours in his garden pruning, arranging and caring for his bonsai plants and Japanese gardens.²

Steve Martin, known for his wacky comedy, also is a musical Grammy Award winning banjo player.³

Jim Carrey, known for his eccentric crazy characters like Ace Ventura, now spends hours a day painting. He states, “It is so gratifying when I finish a painting. I step back and look and think to myself, ‘well, there is something there now that was not there before.’”⁴ He is the creator.

Creativity is something that needs to be expressed. I like to say, “Art is the creative expression of the soul.”

One reason I love clowning is because it’s of its’ creative elements. Face painting, costume design, balloon sculpture, music, choreography, mime, prop-making. A multitude of other areas are included in the creative presentations of clowning. For some, their favorite part of clowning is putting on the make-up. Some love the process of designing, sewing, stitching…

The heart of the artist cries out to express one’s personal soul. Artful expression shows what is in the heart, mind, and soul of the artist. This is one reason why clowning is such a personal thing to each clown. Clowns pour their heart into their art.

International Clown Hall of Fame Inductee, Steve Smith, talks about how a clown is a reflection of oneself, but in a carnival funhouse mirror.  It’s you…but exaggerated into cartoon form.

Sometimes, artists create out of their own personal drive. It’s for their own personal enjoyment. Clowning “makes me feel good,” is voiced by those in motley. But, clowning does not exist without an audience. This artform is best when shared. Just as art is not only done for the artist’s personal enjoyment, the clown art is also something to be put on display. We perform for the public to view and experience. It’s a shared experience.

Some of the public does not understand why we choose this art form to express ourselves. Our audience can only interpret our presentations based on their previous experiences. This may create challenges.

Recently, while at the Minnesota Museum of Art, I viewed some paintings. As I looked at them, I interpreted the artists painting based on my own feelings and past experiences. I had to interpret what the artist was trying to say. Then, I read the placard next to the painting which explained why the artist painted the images he produced. What a surprise to me! His intent was something totally different than what I had interpreted.

This happens with some of our clown audiences today. Some people’s interpretations assign inaccurate motives to the clown; different intentions than what we personally have in our hearts. One example: Consider the interactions that happen between people previously scared by horror clown images and a happy friendly clown today. That previously frightened person can only interpret our art based on their previous experience.

Recently, our former WCA south east Asia regional director Sam Tee performed a children’s program at my church in Mankato, Minnesota. When he entered, one boy began to panic. I saw the reaction, and I took the boy to the back of the area away from the stage where Sam would be performing. Later, the parents of this boy shared with me that during this past school year, on the school bus, there were some high school boys that wore Halloween horror clown masks in order to scare the younger children on the bus. That was this boy’s only interaction with a clown image. It’s a totally different experience than what Ron Severini and many others have had in the past. This young boy, Ben, interpreted the clown image based on his previous experience.

On the contrary, WCA historian, Ron Severini, shares that as an infant, his mother placed a small, happy, smiling clown doll into his crib. Ron’s experience with this clown doll brought him much comfort and happiness. It actually set the pace for his love and admiration for clowns for the rest of his life.

I realize that some people enjoy sports. Some don’t. Others love going to craft stores and thrift shops to occupy their time. Many don’t. Some people enjoy country western music. Others do not. In this wide, wide world there are all kinds of people that enjoy one type of entertainment, but not another.

Some people enjoy visual arts. One may enjoy looking at painted landscapes and nature scenes. Others prefer modern art splashed on the canvas. There’s a wide variety of styles to view.

The old television commercial for LIFE cereal had a small boy in it named Mikey.  His brother would tell him over and over, “Try it. You’ll like it.”  Mikey resisted, but final tried eating a spoonful of the cereal.  “He LIKES it! Hey Mikey!”⁵

This is what I’ve learned: I can argue with someone about why they should like the entertainment I like, but realistically, not everyone is going to appreciate what I enjoy. The better approach is probably to show them what I like. Have them experience a taste of it (like Mikey) and they may find they like it too!

Various schools offer programs on the topic of art appreciation. One of my goals is to help people begin to understand and appreciate the art of clowning. Recently, I was asked to do a presentation at a local library. They requested that I talk about clowns and put on make-up in front of the children, then perform a 10 minute comedy show. I hesitated, because I had not done this for a children’s audience before, but then I realized I had a wonderful opportunity to do this as a “clown art appreciation project.” I did the presentation and had a wonderful response from all ages.

We that love, respect and appreciate the art of clowning need to share that with others. When there’s an opportunity to educate others about this historic, heart-felt craft, let’s be faithful representatives so others may grow to enjoy the art also. Share your heart as you share the art.

---------------------------------------------------------------

^1”The Circus” (1928), Charles Chaplin. Playhouse Video: A division of CBS/FOX

²Wes D. Gehring, Seeing Red: The Skelton In Hollywood’s Closet, Robin Vincent Publishing, 2001, page 241.

³ www.britannica.com/biography/Steve-Martin

^4”Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” (2016). Jerry Seinfeld – Netflix.

^5”Life cereal commercial” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQ0LZSnJFE

Artwork used with permission by Rosetta McBride  * published in WCA’s Clowning Around magazine

# posted by Randy @ 10:24 AM 0 comments

Ben started early, learning to juggle in his family's basement as a four year old!  He has spent a lifetime performing and has shared his comedy juggling show on Princess Cruise Lines, clowned with the International Circus Hall of Fame Circus, mimed with the PUSH Physical Theatre troupe (including on the FAKEoff television show), and entertained and educated audiences in schools, libraries, senior homes, theaters, churches, universities and more!  

Ben lives in Westland, Michigan with his wife, Christine, and their four daughters. He is a full-time pastor to children at Connection Church in Canton, Michigan.  He uses variety arts methods on a weekly basis, including puppetry, storytelling, music, juggling, physical comedy, characters & more!

B

Ben has trained through the years with such notable clowns and "eccentrics" as:  Roly Bain,  Arthur Pedlar,  Avner "The Eccentric" Eisenberg, Karen Hoyer,  Julie Goell,  and Darren Stevenson. 

He is the originator of "Ben's Tiny Circus" and also a key member of the "L.O.L. Show."  

We are thrilled to have Ben with us for the Next Step Workshop this January!

You may find more information on Ben at www.BenComedy.com

# posted by Randy @ 9:33 AM 0 comments

 Hi Folks,

Sorry about any confusion...

Hillside Church at 502 S. Victory Drive, Mankato, MN  56003  is where our workshop will be held.

Also, all finance is going to flow through Hillside Church.  Please address all checks, etc., to Hillside Church and place in the memo line:  Next Step Workshop.

Checks may be sent directly to the church, rather than to me (Randy).  Thank you!

Learn more about Hillside Church at  https://hillsidemankato.com/

# posted by Randy @ 10:02 AM 0 comments

I, Randy, have already reserved 10 rooms at this location.  If you want one of those rooms, let’s talk about it.  At this point, they are holding all those rooms in my name, with my credit card, but at some point, we will transfer that to each of our attendees.

About the hotel:   It’s located about 2 miles from Hillside Church along Hwy 22.  It’s in the middle of  an active zone of businesses and restaurants with Culvers just across the street and Starbucks a block away.

The hotel does provide a complimentary continental breakfast which is served daily from 6 AM to 10 AM. It includes juice, coffee, milk, waffles, cereal, pastries and more.

Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.

Each room includes refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include microwaves and coffee/tea makers. 

The property allows pets in specific rooms only and has other pet restrictions ($20 per night pre-approved).

This is not a 5 star hotel…but I would say it’s a 3 star and appears clean.  If Next Step attendees prefer a higher level (and more expensive) hotel, there are numerous options within just another mile or two.  But, being budget-minded, and also realizing that really the only time you will spend at the hotel is to sleep, I feel like this is a good option for us.

Let me know if you want to share a room, and you can let me know who your guest will be, or I can connect with you another attendee.  Once again, at this point the rooms are reserved and I am guiding the process of signing up, rather than the hotel.  You don't need to contact them.  I've "got this."

It’s gonna be fun!

Randy            @  pastorclown@gmail.com      Cell/text:  320.894.1965

# posted by Randy @ 8:07 AM 0 comments

Registration Form for Next Step Workshop 2027

Name__________________________________________________________ Age__________           Guy or Gal?

Mailing Address:_______________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:__________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________

Previous Training?______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Foods you won’t eat ____________________________________________________________________________

Medical issues we should be aware of:____________________________________________________________

Favorite comic actor/comedian?_________________________________________________________________

Where do you clown?___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What specific topics are you hoping to learn?_____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Interested in sharing hotel room expense?       Yes    /     No                

Need transportation from the MSP airport?      Yes    /     No           ($10 travel fee accepted at pick-up)

Other stuff you want us to know:________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please make check payable to Hillside Church:   List in the memo line: Next Step Workshop 

Payment included: $_______________      (Registration is $395. Alumni rate is $345.)

Please email to pastorclown@gmail.com  or paper mail to:

 Hillside Church, 502 S. Victory Drive, Mankato   MN   56003

# posted by Randy @ 4:12 PM 0 comments

 Hey Clown Friends and Variety Artists!

I'm excited to announce that premiere clown, Angel Ocasio, (The Clown Prince of the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon) is coming to Mankato, Minnesota to join me for FIVE days of clown learning and training.  We decided to get past the busy holiday schedule (which dominates most performers schedules) and do it on January 27-31. That's a Wednesday afternoon through Sunday morning.  

I know immediately some are saying, "Hold it! January in Minnesota!?!?"  Yes ma'am.  Don't worry. It's an indoor event...and we have heaters that keep buildings warm.  :O)   Sometimes in Minnesota in January, it can be in the 40's... and yes, there are other scenarios not as warm, but we will take care of you all!

The Next Step Workshop is designed to help people take a "next step" in a number of ways.  A "Next Step" in your planning and preparations and performances: A "next step" in presentation skills, movement and audience connections. 

We do not teach basic clown make-up, costuming, character, etc....we want to help people that have the basics take a "next step."  We keep the numbers small for this workshop. It's very personalized and "hands on." We also want to help people, specifically in clown ministry, who want to have a solid spiritual component to their presentations. What is that "next step," spiritually?  We dig into the heart of clowning and also the heart of ministry.  I would say that 85% of the material is focused on simply being a better clown.  The other percentage is on being a better person and representative of Christ.

The sessions are held at my church: Hillside Church in Mankato, MN   It begins Wednesday mid-afternoon followed by supper and a Wednesday night children's program (by Angel and me).  It ends with Sunday morning Children's Church services presented by YOU!  Through our days together, we will learn how to write & present material and then actually do it for children on the Sunday morning.

Fill out the application and send it to me, either via email or paper copy.  $75 holds your place and full payment may be made later.   Email me for more information at:  procomedy@earthlink.net

We only allow up to 15 participants.  So make your plans soon!  I will send out information for housing and hotel options upon receiving registrations.  

# posted by Randy @ 3:11 PM 0 comments

During Easter season, my wife and I were watching the Sight & Sound Theater’s presentation of “Jesus” on television.  It was professional, engaging, and inspiring.  Yet, there were times we had to choose to ignore the fact that these actors were wearing theatrical wigs and hairpieces. It was so obvious that it was actually a bit distracting!  Now, a couple years ago we had gone to the Sight & Sound Theater in Branson, MO and experienced one of their live performances.  We could never conclude anyone was wearing a wig.  Why is that?  Simply, these theatrical performances are done on a giant stage a minimum of twenty feet away from the front row.  The distance masked some of the little visual details. But, when the camera zoomed in for close-ups for their television special, the little details were clearly seen.

In theater, the actors often apply a flesh base make-up, rouge and eye-liner.  When they come off stage for the after-party, they may appear overdone in that intimate setting. What seemed as a natural look on stage could be overbearing when close up.

Historic clowns are often known for their comical exaggerated cartoon faces. Today, few clowns perform with that type of make-up design.  The reason is, in the early 1900’s as the audience attended shows in circus tents and vaudeville theaters, the lighting was quite dim. The larger highlighted features on their faces were able to be seen across the ring even with lantern/lamp lighting. Even as electrical lighting improved, the clowns continued with large features because they wanted their smiles to carry across the ring and up to that old gal in the 31^st row in the bleachers.

Chagy, who performed and spoke at our 2023 FCM Convention, shares that there are three main forms of live communication.  We use our faces, our body language and our voices.  Each one may have a significant role to play in communicating with an audience. Sometimes our physical communication may speak even more loudly than our voices!  Our facial expressions display our thoughts and emotions.

Mime make-up is usually quite standard and stereotypical:  White face, small red or black lips, black eye liner, black eyebrows. That’s about it. The purpose of a mime “mask” is to actually give the mime a blank sheet for expression.  The white is actually intended to take away personality. A mime may want to be a “blowing tree.” He may want to be an old woman, or a preschool child, or a sail on a ship.  Any use of stylized colors and design on the face may hinder his ability to portray the whole variety of characters he may be presenting in various skits.  He doesn’t portray one character (like a clown) but creates different characters in different settings. This is why the features drawn on a whiteface are minimalistic. Simple small lines accent the mouth, the eyes and the eyebrows so those features when moved, portray and accent the emotion the performer is portraying. The face becomes a tool, rather than a billboard with graffiti on it. The “mask” is a blank canvas that will not distract from but allow the emotion to be portrayed.

This is where many fledgling clowns err.  The clown make-up is to help portray a character while at the same time helping show one’s expressions. Make-up is not used to hide who a person is, but is used to help them express who they are and connect with their audience as the character expresses thoughts and emotions.

The most important features in a make-up design are your eyes and your mouth. These are the areas of the face that move with expression.

Many clowns are minimizing the size of their facial feature designs. Some are eliminating usage of any make-up.  This is understandable as many are doing a lot of close-up interactions. The over exaggerated features in a close-up situation would actually hide expression rather than help it.

I adjust the amount of eye-liner and feature highlighting based on the size of my stage, my audience, my distance and lighting in the venue.  I pay attention to my expressions along with my verbal script because, as Fred R. Barnard said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The visual aspect of our presentations can speak loudly!

# posted by Randy @ 10:19 AM 0 comments

 Housing

# posted by Randy @ 4:20 PM 0 comments

 Registration Form for Next Step Workshop 2023

 Name_____________________________________________________ Age__________ Guy or Gal? 

Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________________________ 

Telephone:__________________________________ 

Email:_______________________________________________________ 

Previous Training_____________________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________________________________

Foods you won’t eat __________________________________________________________________ 

Medical issues we should be aware of:___________________________________________________ 

Favorite comic actor/comedian?________________________________________________________ 

Where do you perform?________________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________________ 

What specific topics are you hoping to learn________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________________________________

 Interested in sharing hotel room expense? Yes / No 

 Need transportation from the airport? Yes / No ($10 travel fee accepted at pick-up) 

Other stuff you want us to know:_______________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________________________________

 Payment included: $_______________ (Registration is $395. Alumni rate is $345.) 

Please email to pastorclown@gmail.com or paper mail to: 

Randy Christensen, 2117 Peregrine Lane, North Mankato, MN 5600

# posted by Randy @ 4:06 PM 0 comments

Wednesday:

1:00  …Randy, Nick & Aurora walk through for Wednesday night program

2:30 Participants arrive at Hillside Church in Mankato

3:00 Opening Session

          -Meet other clowns

          -Creativity & Improve Your Improv - Randy

          -The Next Step Process & How To Get the Most Out of It – Randy

4:15 Body Movement and Facial Expressions - Aurora

5:30  Supper provided on site

6:30 Children’s Service presented by Randy, Nick & Aurora

7:45  Balloon twistin’ for the kids that are there! (by Next Step attendees)

8:00-8:30 Afterglow with snacks 

Thursday:

8:30 Prayer/Relection in sanctuary

9:00 Spiritual Warm-Ups with Aurora

9:30 Physical Warm-Ups with Randy

10:00 The Simplicity of Clowning with Aurora

11:00 Heart & Humor with Randy

11:40 Mime Concepts (Part 1)

12:20 LUNCH on site

1:15-45 “Using Misunderstandings As A Writing Method”  -  Randy

2:00-3:00  Character Development – Aurora

3:00 Circus Skills & Comedy Stunts - Randy

3:45  Developing Routines with Objects - Randy

4:30  Mime-based Communication with Randy

5:15 Supper off site with a friend

7:00-9:00?   Student Demonstrations (with coaching)

PLUS discussion of Sunday service development

Friday:

8:30 Prayer

9:00 Spiritual Warm-Ups with Randy

9:30 Physical Warm-Ups with Aurora

10:00 TBD with Aurora

10:50  Art of Clown / Comedy  with Randy

12:00 LUNCH on site

1:30 Walkaround Fun & Comedy Antics - Aurora

2:15 Writing Message-Based Material with Stories- Randy

3:00 break

3:15 Writing Message Based Material (Group Exercise)

4:00  Program Development for Sunday with Randy

4:30 The Power of Unified Movement / Tableaus -  Randy

5:45 Supper at Randy's house 

7:15 Student Demonstrations & Randy's favorite videos

Saturday:

 8:30 Prayer

9:00 Spiritual Warm-Ups

9:30 Physical Warm-Ups - Randy

10:00  Clowning & Working With A Partner - Aurora

11:00 Music In Performance - Randy

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Student Demonstration

2:30  Breath and Focus – Randy

3:15  Scripture Memory Methods – Randy/Nick

4:00  Blocking & focus for Sunday’s services - Randy

5:00 Supper off site

6:30-8:30 Run-through of program for Sunday 

Sunday:

8:00 Participants at church in “full-clown”

8:15  Clown meeting and prayer

8:30 Official service time start 

9:35 Service ends

*meet & greet

9:50 Official service time start 

10:55 Service ends

*meet & greet

11:15 Official service time start

12:30 Optional lunch on site  (Review & Rejoice!)

1:30 On the way “down the road”

# posted by Randy @ 3:54 PM 0 comments