Clowning Around! And Get A Job!
Updated : Apr 16, 2009
As unemployment in the United States hit’s 8.5% and jobs are harder to find across the country but at least one industry is looking for new talent - the lovable circus.
About 24 hopefuls sporting big noses, brightly-coloured hair, baggy pants and oversized shoes did their best to fulfill a childhood ambition when they auditioned to become a clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
'It's been a life-long dream,' said Kyle Barker, a 27-year-old from Chicago who already looked the part with a curly wig and painted face.
Kyle has had several jobs, including being a customer service representative, but Barker said nothing could compare to being a clown and clowning around! (Scary Freaks!).
New Yorl-born Julius Carallo, 62, agrees.
He's been a clown for 15 years in smaller circuses but was hoping to make it into the big time at the audition.
'This is an opportunity to work with the greatest show on earth,' he said.
After performing comedy routines with each other and veteran circus clowns, each hopeful was given a three-minute solo routine to prove they had what it takes.
'It's very hard to find good clowns,' according to Tim Holst, a 35-year veteran of the circus who has worked as a clown and ringmaster and now selects new talent.
He summed up the qualifications in one word - funny. A clown is someone who can react to different situations, who is magnetic and can communicate with the audience in the huge arena of a circus.
'It's like finding a diamond in the rough,' he explained. 'There is something instinctive that comes out. You can see it right away.'
After all the hopeful clowns tried to empress there soon to be new bosses, Holst and fellow talent scout David Kaiser picked six finalists to vie for jobs in one of three national-touring units of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey where they will learn the skills and art of clowning.
Anthony Hoang, 19, who impressed the judges with a routine that included an amazing bag of tricks, was among the gang of scary freaks!
'I didn't think I would get picked,' said Hoang, a disc jockey, filmmaker and martial arts demonstrator who travelled from Boston to New York for the audition.
'Clowning is every talent I can think of merged into one pot.'
VeryHappyPig wonders if the bearded Lady was one of the Judges! Man she is hot!
