By Norm Barnhart
It’s been an uphill battle for Greg Phillips over the past several years, but it has not dampened his spirits or sense of humor. Greg has been a children and family pastor for 25 years and still entertained full time at schools, Festivals, camps, parties and corporate events. He was a morning show D.J. for six years at a secular station and another six years as morning host in Christian Radio. Four years ago he went back on the road as a full-time entertainer. About the same time his dynamic and powerful voice went away, and what was left was nothing but a hoarse whisper. Doctors couldn’t get together to figure out what was going on.

While on tour this summer Greg tore the meniscus in his knee. As he prepared to go under anesthesia for knee surgery, the anesthesiologist asked about his voice. Greg once again told this doctor his symptoms. The anesthesiologist got excited and suggested that Greg visit his Ear Nose and Throat doctor wife. So Greg made a visit to another ENT Doctor with one difference. After just 10 minutes this doctor diagnosed the problem and arrangements were made for Greg to travel to a University Hospital in North Florida. It was here that Greg met with a Specialist who was the only doctor in the state that performed a unique procedure that they guarantee should have Greg’s voice back to normal in the upcoming weeks.

Creativity and Clown Comedy
Greg is a creative performer who gets audiences laughing with his unique humor and dynamic personality. He has had to adapt the way he did his shows over the past few years due to the challenge of his voice. Greg’s puppet and vent work became nearly totally pre-recorded using his Axtell Animatronic Puppets and many of his tricks and routines became silent with the speaking portions saved for the “important” parts of the show. But even with these frustrations, Greg’s personality, body actions and facial expressions showed through and brought the audience to roars of laughter.
Greg says creative ideas come at the most unexpected moments and we need to be ready,
“I am a notebook guy – you’ve got to keep track of ideas and comic thoughts.”

Greg demonstrated this with an example of how he developed one of these routines. “I was enjoying a visit with my two grandkids. Suddenly a song came on the radio, and the kids went nuts. When I saw their reaction to the song, I thought, ‘man I need to add this song to the show.’ As Greg and the kids continued traveling he noticed every time this song played the kids would sing, giggle, dance and get excited. He knew the song was a winner.

Next, Greg needed a reason to use the song in his act. “I contacted the guy who wrote it and got his permission to use it. But I wasn’t sure how it could fit into the act so I started a list of tricks that seemed to fit the idea of the song. I got input from others magicians and clowns. They suggested bits, lines and props. I searched the internet for the right props and I finally figured out a way to combine several tricks into one routine to fit this song.”

Greg then added the comic movements and expressions and it gelled into a very funny routine with a magical surprise ending. “I will be doing this new comedy magic routine at the W.C.A. convention in Orlando as a part of my show.”
So we won’t reveal the unique surprise ending. You’ll need to get to Orlando to see this in person!

Methods of Creativity
Greg likes to take a trick, learn the routine and then be able to use it in several different ways. “I have props that I am able to use in a Halloween show and then turn around and decorate it differently, change the story and make it a Christmas or Patriotic routine. It’s fun and it makes the props value stretch. If it’s a good trick that amazes people or has a great message then it makes sense to use it in different ways.”

Thinking differently is a key to creativity. Greg finds that some of his best ideas come from what he calls “forced creativity.” For example, he had to do four programs for the same group and fly to Chicago for the event. “I was forced to be creative because I made a rule that I would only take what would fit into my carry on but also play big. I don’t want to risk lost luggage so I carry my show with me.” He went through his magic and routines and found the ones that would have the greatest impact, fit the theme of the message and play large.

Another example of forced creativity is when he had the opportunity to do magic to promote a candy company that uses a special process and natural sugar to make their candy. So Greg researched tricks that could involve sugar changing to candy. He also used their unique candy containers as props that could be used to also make the magic happen.
Greg is always looking for ways to be creative. “I love to watch someone perform and think through ways to do the tricks in such different ways the audience wouldn’t realize it’s the same method. Greg says “Creativity can involve many other sources including music, commercials or shows on TV. There are many places to draw inspiration from, be aware always.”
Adding Comedy to Your Act

Comedy comes from many sources. “I am constantly trying to picture funny ways of doing things whether it is a song, puppet, routine or handling of a prop. Earlier we discussed the developing of the routine around that song that drove my grandkids nuts. There were moments in the song that I saw they really went crazy, so as I developed the routine I concentrated on punching up my actions, expressions and movements to accentuate those moments.”
The other way Greg adds comedy into the show is while performing he listens to and studies the audience. “When in public doing my routines it is important to be in the moment and see and observe the audience. I like to see what they react to then punch up those moments at that time but also remember those moments to be added to future performances. Also, we should not simply perform at the audience, but connect and react to the audience.”
Greg believes in continuing education including studying the comic greats of yesteryear. “I’ve immersed myself in reading books, watching movies and seeing live shows as well as studying with performance greats like Steven Ragatz, Fred Garbo, Robert Shields, Joan Schirle, Don Reider, Liebe Wetzel, Tom Doughterty and my best friend, Randy Christensen. We need to become students of comedy. I love the work of Dick Van Dyke, Danny Kay, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and others.”

Behind Greg’s house is his studio that serves as rehearsal space and a place to build and create props. “My studio is shaped like a barn and the second story is 11 feet tall. It’s perfect for making videos, practicing, juggling, researching and being inspired. It looks like my first studio which was a 100 year old barn in Western NY where I grew up. All across the ceiling are autographed pictures and posters of my favorites including Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Shields and Yarnel, Red Skelton, Walt Disney, Marcell Marceau, other magicians and comedians. Every time I look up, I’m inspired.”
Making Every Show Special
Greg feels strongly that every show should be the best. “If a client is investing money in my show and inviting me to perform for their event or party, I want them to remember it as something very special. If they are investing their time to see me I want it to be something theatrical, something special. Not just some tricks in a box.”
Greg gets frustrated at times. “New performers simply order some stuff and then go and sell themselves as a professional. This is not enough. I have had clients say, ‘We hire you because you do things that no one else does.’ I really strive to be very different.”

Greg’s Three Funbelievable Ways to Make Clown Shows Better
#1 – Know who you are and what makes you laugh. Remember, if you are having fun doing it – the audience will pick up on that fun and join in! Fun is contagious!
#2 – Whatever you are doing – slow down. We have a tendency to move too quickly. This can bring unnecessary and added movement that actually detracts from the show and complicates things so that the laughs are weaker as the audience isn’t able to follow along.
#3 – Do everything in the show with a motivation. Have a reason for what you do. Then do everything over the top. Make it bigger than Hollywood. Choreographed, but over the top.
Bonus Point: Look at your show as having many moments where a photo could be taken. Strike a pose, as if for a picture. Every motion in your act could be a picture telling a story. No unnecessary moves!
Greg and his wife will soon move from the Space Coast of Florida to Asheville, North Carolina to be closer to their grandkids. There he will start a new business with a showroom for birthday parties happening during the daytime and a Family Friendly Comedy Magic show at night. He will be bringing in guest performers and featuring many of his specialty act friends.

We wish Greg the very best in his endeavors making people laugh and spreading joy.
Don’t miss this ‘Funbelievable’ Performer at our Orlando Convention.
About the author: Norm is a best-selling kids book author and comedy entertainer from Minnesota. NormBarnhart.com