Consecutive clown cars without dropping the bats

1

...sad day.

But seriously, these past few days in Chicago have been insane! We have had good crowds and bad crowds but the clowns are really starting to work well together. See for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJuQcyleIo8

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNdEkgCspCQo&h=59da5

Opening night in Chicago!

Tonight we opened in Chicago. Some of us clowns ate at an awesome burger joint near the arena and it was delicious! The arena is HUGE! I had to really look up to play to the people in the balcony's. The alley is bigger than last time but farther away from the portal. Anyway, during rehearsal we changed some of the spots for spec-finale and the performance proved we may need to go over things a little better tomorrow. Also, Nicole Feld was in the audience tonight, and I will admit it made me a little nervous. It was simply because this was my first time performing for her. Clown car was ALMOST bad for me. I started to drop a bat but caught it between the other two bats!! SOOO...
Consecutive clown cars without dropping the bats- 15

What a weekend!

Yesterday was my first full 3 show Saturday. Boy what a day! It was nice having three back to back performances to get comfortable with the gags and whatnot. It's funny, both production gags I'm in involve annoying costumes and juggling challenging objects. In the sideshow gag Henry and I are Siamese twins. When the spotlight is on us we have to partner juggle three beanbags, which, unbeknown to the audience are three very different weights. Then, our costume rips apart as "the wild man of Borneo" jumps through us. You get the picture. Luckily though, today my batman costume was altered to fit me, so now I don't have to hold my pants up as I run off at the end of the gag.

That reminds me!
Consecutive clown cars without dropping the bats- 14

Anyway we had two shows today and load out. Oh yeah, we also moved onto the train!! I am in a temporary room for the next two days or so (maybe longer) but it is nice to have a closet with a bed to call home!

Number of consecutive clown car performances without dropping the bats

9

First full show!

Today was my first day in the entire show! I was already in the entire second half, so today I added opening, side show gag, spec finale, and dancing in finale (I was originally just on a float). Also, I now have my own devil stick spot in preshow and LaRena and I are working on a gag. Fun day! I couldn't ask for better parts. My makeup is starting to really look good, but I am still hoping to change some costume stuff.

Let the Training Begin!

Today we had 10 hours of clown training with the clown director of the 140th and 141st Editions of RBBB. I didn't do so hot in the morning exercises, and I felt like I wasn't producing my best stuff, even though I really was giving it 110%. But lunch was exactly what I needed! After lunch I really did good work. We wrote a lot  of funny "on the spot" gags (Like a plane ride with a motion sick woman and a health inspector) and worked on raw comedy. I'm excited to see what tomorrow brings and even more excited to get back into the show!

First Day

Today I began my first day at the Greatest Show on earth! It was amazing to say the least. Tomorrow we all start training, which will last a week. This is the first clown training program the show has had since 1997.

Anyway, all the pukes went into the alley to sign paper work. We all left to have a meeting with Sandor and EVERYONE left their coats in the alley. Bad idea. When we returned there were no coats. After a few minutes of looking all the coats were recovered, some from the inside of closets and some under boxes. Nice hazing veterans.

Pre Adventure

Well, It's Tuesday, September 21st and I am ready to start already!! but alas, I have to wait until November 4th, which is right around the corner and a million years away, all at the same time.

For those of you who don't know, I just got offered a contract with Ringling bros and Barnum & Bailey, The greatest Show on Earth!! I will be a "First of May," or "new" clown!!

I am keeping this blog as a memoir of both the good and bad times on the road, but also I hope to start a relationship with you, the reader. So if this is going to work, you are going to have to read my post, and be home for dinner, and take the trash out, and feed the dog and vacuum the stairs.

Some exciting things are happening this year, things that haven't happened for the clowns in 12 years!! I am stoked!! As I post more entries, please feel free to also visit my site-- www.andrewclown.com