WCA COMPETITION RULES - 2010
(click here to download the rules as a .doc file)
I. General Eligibility
All clowns participating in any competition must register for the convention at the full registration fee and be fully paid-up members of WCA in good standing. All Junior Joeys between the ages of 5 and 15 must register for the annual convention at the Junior Joey rate and will participate in the Junior Joey program. Junior Joeys will only compete in one competition category: Junior Joey Makeup and Wardrobe. Junior Joeys do not have to be a fully paid member of WCA. All Competitors must sign up for competition. Competitors will be directed to the convention photographer for a competition photo. Competitors must sign a release for these photos for purpose of the awards presentation and inclusion in the Clowning Around Magazine.
II. Rules of Conduct
A. Failure to comply with the following rules will result in expulsion from the competition.
B. All clowns will conduct themselves in such a manner as to be a credit and an asset to quality clowning.
C. All clowns will totally abstain from the use of alcohol prior to and during competition or any time while in makeup and wardrobe.
D. All clowns will refrain from the use of tobacco while in makeup and wardrobe and in public view.
E. All clowns will refrain from any props or items that might offend a general audience or embarrass the World Clown Association.
F. Live animals are not permitted in ANY category.
G. All ID tags, badges, or identifying patches must be removed or concealed. ID badges and tags are those that show your name, your clown name, or alley name. General MAJOR organizational patches will be permitted, (i.e. WCA, COAI, ISCA, etc).
H. Competitors are not allowed to speak with judges unless responding to question or comments from the judges.
I. The use of any pyrotechnics is NOT permitted in ANY category. This includes but not limited to lighters, candles, strikers, matches, or anything that has a flame.
III. Competition Categories
A. Makeup and Wardrobe Competition
1. Classic Whiteface
2. Comedy Whiteface
3. Auguste
4. Tramp/Hobo
5. Character
6. Junior Joey (5-15 years of age on the first day of the convention).
B. Balloon Competition
1. Novice: Single, Multiple, Large, Specialty
2. Advanced: Single, Multiple, Large, Specialty
C. Skit Competition
1. Single (Individual)
2. Group
D. Paradeability-Single only.
IV. Competition Sign-Up and Closing
A table in the Convention Registration area will be designated for Competition Sign-Up. When registering for the convention, the WCA Credentials Director will verify all qualifications of Competitors. Upon Completion of convention registration, you should proceed to the Competition Sign-Up table for directions for registering for any or all competitions. Upon completion of competition registration, the Competitor will receive all schedules for competition. Please pay attention to this schedule. Any individual or group not signed in by the close of the designated sign-in period will be considered to have “withdrawn” from the competition. The closing of all registration categories will be printed in the convention program.
V. Competition Awards
A. Medallions will be awarded to First, Second, and Third place winners. In the Place of a tie, the intent is to give duplicate awards for tied scores
B. Where three or less clowns are in a specific competition, then the following rules will apply to the Awards
1. To receive a First Place award the Competitor must receive 85% or better of the available points.
2. To receive a Second Place award, the Competitor must receive 70% to 84% of the available points.
3. To receive a Third place award, the Competitor must receive 55% to 69% of the available points.
4. If two Competitors receive over 85% of the available points then the highest score gets First Place and the second highest score gets Second Place. This is the same as if it were a competition with more than three clowns.
5. The same would apply if the top two clowns received over 70% but not over 85%. The top Competitor would receive a second place award and the other clown would receive a third place award. In this example, the first place award would not be awarded.
VI. Makeup and Wardrobe Competition
A. Rules
1. Makeup and Wardrobe Competition is open to all clowns that meet the eligibility requirements.
2. The WCA Competition Director will assign the order of performance. The order will be posted prior to the competition.
3. Each Competitor must Check-in before each competition to receive their number.
4. The WCA Competition Director will determine the order of Category.
5. Competitors will be judged on makeup, wardrobe, and performance.
6. Each Competitor will be judged according to the official WCA score sheet.
7. Makeup and Wardrobe Competitors are required to wear gloves.
8. Only self-applied makeup will be allowed.
9. All clowns in this category will be paraded, as a group, before the judges prior to the individual judging.
10. Each clown will be required to “perform” a thirty (30) second “Funny Bit” as part of the competition. Competitors will be penalized one (1) point per second per judge for exceeding the 30-second time limit 11. The Competitor will be given a warning when 20 seconds has elapsed.
12. Competitors will be allowed to carry a prop for use in their 30-second performance.
13. Each Competitor’s score sheet will be available to him/her at the conclusion of the awards banquet.
VI. B. Categories
1. Classic White Face-The aristocrat of all clowns. An elegant clown, artistic, colorful, bright and cheery. Its performance is highly artistic and skillful, but done with a comedic or dramatic flair.
a. All exposed skin will be covered with white makeup. Minimal lining color(s) and or glitter will be used to express the features of the eyes, nose, and mouth. The Classic Whiteface generally does not wear a comedy nose or false eyelashes.
b. A white skullcap would be worn in lieu of a colored wig.
c. The styles of wardrobe may vary, but are generally roomy and well fitted and may have a detachable collar.
d. A clown hat should fit the clown’s character/personality (short or tall cone hat, short cup or flat hat, or the typical Pagliacci hat).
Gloves should cover the hands and wrists and should be white or colored to fit the wardrobe. Ballet or dancing slippers would be worn in lieu of large comedy shoes.
2. Comedy White Face-Comedy White Face is today the most common White Face clown. When performing with the Auguste and /or Tramp, this Clown will usually take charge, setting up the routine, throwing rather than taking the pie, slap, or kick.
a. Face is completely covered with white base. Colors may be used to add features, highlights, and decorations.
b. Varying styles and colors of clown wigs are used in lieu of only the skullcap. The color of the wig is generally chosen to accent another color in the costume.
c. Use of glitter, jewels, and additional accessories is acceptable.
d. Competitors must have all skin covered by makeup and/or wardrobe.
3. Auguste-Impish and prank like with a more comic face than the White Face
a. Base color of face is usually a flesh tone with pink or reddish hues.
b. Features are painted on or highlighted with red, black, white or other colors. Features are also accented with white.
c. Competitors will have all skin covered by makeup and/or wardrobe.
4. Tramp/Hobo-May be either happy or sad.
a. Face has a flesh tone base that is accented with red, white, black, or gray. A dirty effect is sometimes created with the makeup.
b. He/she may wear old clothes that are neatly kept or bright and colorful.
c. Competitors will have all skin covered by makeup and/or wardrobe.
5. Character-must depict a specific IDENTIFIABLE character in total clown makeup. Examples: baseball player, sailor, nurse, Keystone Cop, etc.
a. Makeup must compliment the character and be White Face, Auguste, or Tramp/Hobo.
b. The Character must be apparent to the judges. If the judges cannot understand or define the character being portrayed, the Competitor may lose points or be disqualified.
c. Competitors will have all skin covered by makeup and/or wardrobe.
VII. Junior Joey Competition
A. Open to all clown 5-15 years of age on the beginning day of the convention. Junior Joeys must meet the eligibility requirements to enter competition.
B. Junior Joeys may enter ONLY JUNIOR JOEY MAKEUP AND WARDROBE COMPETITION.
C. Junior Joeys will be judged on makeup, wardrobe, and a thirty, (30) seconds performance.
D. Makeup must be self-applied in the presence of the Junior Joey Director.
E. White Face, Auguste, Tramp/Hobo, and Character will compete together.
F. A Junior Joey may NOT compete in Skit Competition, Balloon Competition, and/or Paradeability.
VIII. Skit Competition
A. Individual Skits
1. Open to all clowns over 15 years that meet the general eligibility requirements.
2. Individual skits will consist of only One Clown. The clown may be White Face, Auguste, Tramp/Hobo or Character.
3. Use of audience members and/or stagehands during the skit is prohibited. Use of the audience is defined as the performer verbally soliciting a response from the audience such that the skit cannot continue without said solicited audience response.
4. Competitors may enter in only one Individual Skit in this category.
B. Group Skits
1. Open to all clowns over 15 years that meet the general eligibility requirements.
2. Group skits will consist of two (2) or more clowns on stage. The clowns may be White Face, Auguste, Tramp or
Character.
3. Use of audience members and /or stagehands during the skit is prohibited. Use of the audience is defined as the performer verbally soliciting a response from the audience such that the skit cannot continue without said solicited audience response.
4. Competitors may enter in only one Group Skit in this category.
5. All first, second, and third place winners will receive a medal.
C. Individual and Group Skit Rules
1. The WCA Competition Director will assign the order of performance. The order will be posted prior to each competition and also available at the Check In Table.
2. Individuals or groups must Check In before each competition to receive their number.
3. Each individual or group must perform in succession according to the number assigned. If individual or group is not prepared to perform when their number is due, that individual or group will be disqualified.
4. Each individual or group is responsible to fill out a form for set-up if needed. Stagehands will be available for set up and clean up.
5. Performance time for both Individual and Group Skits is limited to five (5) minutes. Any Individual or group whose performance exceeds the five minutes will be disqualified.
6. One minute before the time limit will expire (4 minutes into the skit); a warning will be given to inform the performer of the time remaining.
7. Any skit determined to be offensive to the general audience will be disqualified. The WCA Competition Director will make this decision.
8. Any performance that causes injury to a spectator or judge will be disqualified.
9. The WCA will provide a cassette player, CD player and operator. It is the responsibility of the individual or group to have the tape or CD labeled to identify the owner. All music should be “cued” to the proper spot and CDs must have track number identified (only one track selection).
10. Timing for the skit BEGINS when the tape audio begins or when a Competitor first appears on stage……whichever comes first. Timing will END when the individual or entire group has exited the stage or at a specific part of the skit for which pre-arrangements have been made with the WCA Competition Director.
If any Competitor continues to perform in any way, timing will be continued until all Competitors have exited the stage. This includes waving to the audience or any other action deemed as performing.
11. All Individual or groups will be judged according to the WCA Skit Score Sheet and all score sheets will be available at the conclusion of the awards banquet.
IX. Balloon Competition
A. Description-This competition requires a Competitor to submit one entry in each of the following categories:
1. Single Balloon-The single balloon can be#130, #245, #260, #280 or any size that can be defined as a pencil balloon.
2. Multiple Balloon-Multiple balloons are a mixture of many balloons but all must be the same size balloons. Example: use of all 260’s.
3. Large Balloon- Large Balloons must be three (3) inches or larger in diameter. Large balloons are to be more than one balloon and all of the same size and type
4. Specialty Balloon-Any size and/or type of balloon are allowed. Other materials such as glue/adhesive, stick on eyes, etc. are allowed as long as it is attached to the balloon.
B. Categories-Novice and Advanced
1. Novice-Competitors who have not won a first place award in Balloon
Competition at any convention may enter this category. Competitors who have not written a book or other media on balloon sculpture techniques and/or do not earn a substantial portion of their income from balloon sculpturing are Eligible to compete in this category.
2. Advanced-Competitors who have won a first place award in Balloon Competition at any convention, written a book or other media on balloon sculpture techniques, and/or earn a substantial portion of their income from balloon sculpturing are only eligible to compete in this category.
C. Rules-Open to all clowns over 15 years old that meet the eligibility requirements.
1. Each Competitor must furnish his/her own balloons.
2. Time limit is one (1) hour.
3. Numbers will be assigned to each Competitor at Check In time.
4. Balloons may not be inflated, pre-cut, or prepared in any way prior to starting time. Competitors will be allowed to lay out equipment prior to starting.
5. Balloons may be inflated by mouth or pump.
6. Pre-printed balloons will be allowed provided they are commercially available on the open market to every Competitor. No custom printed balloons allowed
D. Judging and Awards
1. Judging will be in accordance with the Balloon Competition Score Sheet.
2. Points earned will be a combination of all 4 entries; Single, Multiple, Large, and Specialty.
3. Spectators may be present during the competition, but in no way are they to coach or interfere with the Competitor. Spectators are never to touch a completed sculpture.
4. Judging will take place after the time limit has expired.
5. Competitors and spectators will not be present during judging.
6. If any balloon leaks or breaks during the judging, the balloon sculpture will be judged as is
7. The WCA Competition Director is the only one allowed to touch or move a balloon entry during the judging, and with all the judges present, so that is something happens, all judges will have seen the entry before and after the move.
8. After judging, the balloons will be moved or left in the competition room for public display. If you do not want your balloon moved or displayed, inform the WCA Competition Director.
9. Each Competitor’s score sheet will be available to him/her at the conclusion of the awards banquet.
X. Paradeability Competition
Open to all clowns over 15 years old that meet the eligibility requirements. This is a single clown competition.
Competitors may have only one entry.
Rules
1. Competitors will have 30 seconds to perform before the judges.
2. Competitors exceeding the 30 second time limit will be disqualified.
3. Props and/or gimmicks may be used.
4. Performances must be in good taste and in no way offensive to the audience.
5. Any performance, which results in an injury to a spectator or judge, will result in disqualification from competition.
6. All Competitors will be judged according to WCA Paradeability score sheet.
7. Each Competitor’s score sheet will be available to him/her at the conclusion of the awards banquet.
XI. All Around Clown
A. Requirements
1. Competitors must compete in the following three categories:
a. Makeup and Wardrobe Competition
b. Individual Skit Competition
c. Paradeability
2. Open to all clowns over 15 years old that meet the general eligibility requirements.
3. Competitors must sign up for this competition.
4. There must be a minimum of five Competitors for this competition.
5. Registration for this category opens on the first day of the convention and closes
As directed by the WCA Competition Director.
B. Judging and Awards
The score sheets from the three categories will be totaled and the Competitor receiving the highest score will be the winner.
C. Master Clown Award
Competitors who have won All Around Clown two consecutive years will receive a Master Clown Award
and may not compete in this category for the following two years.
