Becoming a Clown
How long does it take to become a clown? Attend clown college for 8 weeks to learn skills. Training develops talents; professional auditions follow.
Clown Schools Today
Do clown schools still exist? The original 1968 clown college closed in 1997. But other clown schools operate today.
Training and Skills
Clown schools teach public performance skills. Useful degrees are Theatre or Visual and Performing Arts. No formal qualifications exist, although performance abilities are required.
Salary averages $38,000-51,000 yearly. In 1968 few Ringling clowns remained. To preserve this fading art, a clown college was established – the only one globally. Over 800 alumni now exist. The "Ringling Style" focused on American skills and broad, slapstick humor. Students worked 8 hours daily, 6 days weekly, creating new gags and learning basics like make-up, costumes, acrobatics and pantomime. Clown College supplied new material for the "Big Show".