Mike “Hillbilly” Weakley is a 1988 graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He then toured with the circus for 7 years as Hillbilly the Clown, and as a featured stiltwalker. Since that time he has entertained and performed for audiences at theme parks, professional sporting events, casinos, corporate events, festivals, concerts, trade shows, and other special […]
Read moreThanks to Trav S.D. and his blog for the heads up on this fantastic exhibit now through August 21 at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. The exhibit, titled “The Peregrinations & Pettifoggery of W. C. Fields”, features ephemera, clippings, playbills, photos, and a fantastic film exhibition about William Claude Dukenfield. The films are curated […]
Read more‘Incredibly serious work’ Local man trains Ringling Brothers clowns By HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN CircusSmirkus artistic director Troy Wunderle of Cambridgeport gets a kissfrom his daughter Ariana Wunderle during the Circus Smirkus performancein Brattleboro. (Reformer file photo) CAMBRIDGEPORT – There is a lot of pressure in being one of the most important clowns in the country. For the past month, Rockingham resident […]
Read morePaul Wildbaum is a mime/clown/ standup comedian that has thrilled audiences around the world with an inspired repertoire of comedy, visual theater and audience participation. Described as “hilarious” and “touching”, Paul is a compelling performer who combines the sublime with the ridiculous to create a brilliant cast of characters: Hamlet as a drunk, a baby unsure about being born; and […]
Read moreIn 2001, I became the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt Maryland. As part of my work there, I curated a clown art exhibit, that featured over 50 pieces of artwork. I’ ve assembled some samples on a web page, and recently moved it to my own site: http://www.acmeclown.com/clownartexhibit/ The piece to the left is “Dunk the Clown” by artist Frank Wu […]
Read moreThe Tall Toys Troupe is a group of stilt-walking performers based in Connecticut who perform a number of stilt-based shows. They provide a number of entertainers and shows for corporate gigs, parades, birthday parties, and other events. Their costumes are great, and they have a number of different looks, including a 9 foot tall Uncle Sam, trees (like Ents from […]
Read moreHere is the director’s note I wrote for the production I just directed of Dario Fo’s We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! Overall, the play went very well. The set was fantastic, the lighting and costumes were great, the actors really stepped up to the considerable challenge.(In fact, Ron Jenkins, translator of the play, Dario’s onstage translator and collaborator, and […]
Read moreI sat for a portrait with Bill Wadman, a photographer working on a 365 day project. Each day he takes a portrait of a different person, and posts it. It might be a book or a calendar, or a something one day. I’m 11/02. (and the rest of the photos are even more amazing!) He’s been doing this project for […]
Read moreWill Shaw is a skilled comic juggler and eccentric clown character. His routines generally feature juggling, unicycling, balance tricks, boomerangs, cowboy rope tricks, music, fire tricks, sight gags, clowning, audience participation, and…. a distinctly offbeat but sophisticated sense of humor steeped in the traditions of the great comedians from the silent film era to the present. Will is the winner […]
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