Ongoing Training as an Entertainer

As a trained teacher, I have always been a firm believer in lifelong learning.  I will NEVER stop learning.  There are many sources of education for children's entertainers, and this list is only a FEW.

1. Mooseburger Clown Arts Education - I cannot say enough good things about this.  The fact that I've been there twice and I'm going back again this summer, should say a fair amount though.  ALL levels of clowns are welcome and everyone has more to learn.  There are special guest instructors every year as well as an extensive regular staff including Pricilla Mooseburger (Tricia Manuel), Fred Baisch, Karen Bell, Greg and Karen DeSanto, Christopher Hudert, Connie Kennedy, Dan Langwell, Brenda Marshall, Marcella Murad, Rex Nolen, and Terry Ricketts.... there are many other fantastic staff members as well.  Instructors are all around you the whole week, eating meals with you, sleeping in the same facilities... they are just completely available to help you with just about anything.  It's a whole week of full days of classes, culminating in the presentation of a huge stage show.  The cost is frightening to look at first off, BUT when you consider that there are no other costs for hotels or food (except for the fact that I need to be gluten and dairy free, so I bring some special stuff for myself), the amount you pay for this is a steal!! 5 nights in a hotel type room, all your meals and snacks provided, 4 full days of classes with the best in the biz, being part of a stage production and making friends for life... it is totally worth every penny.

2. Face Painting workshops and conventions - Thus far, I have mainly invested in full day face painting workshops rather than conventions.  You can occasionally find something within a day trip to do workshops with people like Nick and Brian Wolfe (of Evil Twin FX), Mark Reid, Marcella Murad or many other fantastic painters.  If you can afford to travel and spend a little more, there are conventions like FABA in Florida where you'll find many more instructors in one place and multiple classes and competitions.  You'll be paying a lot though for conventions since there is not only the admission fees but hotel and food expenses as well... not to mention travelling to Florida.

3. Balloon Twisting classes and conventions - I've found these to be a little harder to come by since so many balloon classes seem to be at the beginner level.  There are a couple of conventions I believe, but I've been sticking to mostly day trips for classes so far.  You can look up things like Twist & Shout or there seems to be a long list here.

4. www.Balloon-Animals.com - there are a lot of great videos on this website to get you started if you've never twisted before or if you're stuck on single balloon creations.  I love his style and find his balloons to fit well with my cute style.  There are many other twisters online as well, some of them more elaborate in other ways, but you need to find things that you like the looks of for your style of twisting.  Sometimes just watching someone else do something a certain way will give you an idea for how to make up your own version too.

5. FABA tv - I haven't started watching it myself yet, but there are many face painting videos online too.

6. Look for classes on the skills you want! - Keep your eyes open at local community centres, colleges, etc. for classes on public speaking, music, puppetry, kid's crafts... whatever you want to learn to improve your craft.  Just keep on learning everything you can, you never know where it might take you.

Keep Smiling :D

Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown

Cold season is coming

One thing that is a problem for every small business owner is illness. This is especially a problem as an entertainer though. What do you do when a little cold medicine isn't enough to get you back to your tip top shape?

First and foremost, don't go to a party when you cannot represent your business at its best. A runny clown nose is gross. Unless it is part of your character, a silent clown isn't much fun at a party. And if you aren't feeling well, your show is going to suck. I hate to say it, but I've learned these things the hard way.

Have a list of other people you can call. I there isn't another clown available, at least try and find another face painter, balloon twister, magician or other entertainer to fill in for you.

Call your client and clear it with them. Let them know personally that you are sick and express your sincere regrets that you won't be able to come yourself but that you have found a replacement if it's alright with them. Don't just send someone without talking to the client first.

If you cannot find a replacement, you need to at the very least offer their deposit back. You can't charge them anything if you cancel no matter how much preparations you may have made. If they cancel, you are out of work and need to be compensated but if you cancel, they are already losing out on entertainment for their party and should not be expected to pay anything. (I hope this goes without saying but you never know)

Another thing that I hope goes without saying is try not to do this often and ONLY when you are really sick. It's not a way to skip work. If you wanted the day off them you shouldn't have booked it to begin with. Once you have said you will be there, only extreme circumstances should stop you from being there. A better paying gig is no excuse either.

Take lots of vitamin C,
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown