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Make-up Thoughts on
and
WCA
wardrobe Competitions

Randy Christensen - WCA Awards Director

One of my favorite LET ME TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO
GIVE A SYNOPSIS OF EACH COMPETITION AREA:
aspects of our WCA

Conventions is Make-up (and wardrobe) competition is divided

the competitions, into different historic character categories: Classic

whether I’ve been whiteface, comedy whiteface, auguste, hobo/tramp,

participating or just character clown, clown lite. Each of these are well-

observing. The room is crowded as people observe, defined in our competition rules which you may

cheer, laugh and learn. Yes, I said “learn.” I’ve learned find on our WCA website at

so much about good clowning by watching my WCA worldclown.net Each

peers! of these competitors

Some competitors do become nervous - and that’s also perform a short
understandable, especially since each person
does want to give their best. But, I also know that comedy routine
these audiences and judges know what it’s like to
put oneself out there to be evaluated by others, so as part of this
there is certainly an empathy from the audience.
I’ve found my BEST audiences are found at clown competition.
conventions! An audience of clowns understand and
appreciate the work, the effort and the investment of Skits share a storyline The
those performing! They are “for you” and cheer you that has a beginning,
on. So, I encourage our WCA clowns to participate middle and end.
in competitions, whether you’re a “First of May” Usually this is a
(beginner) or a seasoned professional. surprise ending which
brings the laughs.
In Dallas, we will be hosting competition opportu- It’s like watching a
nities for performing clowns and skill clowns. The character in a short story acted out in front of us.
performance categories include solo skit, group skit In skit presentations, the clowns do not speak to the
and paradability. The skill areas include balloon audience, but are acting out a scenario. Think “I Love
sculpture, facepainting and variety arts. We also Lucy” and the problems she would get herself into. She
have make-up and wardrobe competitions in each was trying to do a job and we laughed as she tried to
area of traditional clowning. We understand that a accomplish her task. Watching these comedy sketches
clown only has one chance to make a first impression are a highlight of the week!
and we believe that should be a good one! You will
see incredible looking clowns and also experience This is different than a Variety Arts performance.
knee-slapping performances. I list the Variety Arts performance as a skill
demonstration. This could be juggling, balancing,
12 MAGAZINE a dog act, singing, unicycling, singing a song,
performing a magic trick, doing a puppet, etc. Think