A CLOWN'S CODE OF ETHICS

1. I will keep my acts, performance and behavior in good taste while I am in costume and makeup. I will remember at all times, that I have been accepted as a member of the clown club to provide others, principally children, with clean clown comedy entertainment. I will remember that a good clown entertains others by making fun of himself or herself and not at the expense or embarrassment of others.

2. I will learn to apply makeup in a professional manner. I will provide my own costume. I will carry out my appearance and assignment for the entertainment of others and not for personal gain or national publicity when performing for either the National club or Alley events. I will always try to remain anonymous while in makeup and costume as a clown, though there may be circumstances when it is not reasonably possible to do so.

3. I will not drink any alcoholic beverage prior to any clown appearances. I will abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages while in clown makeup and clown costume. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady, neither molesting nor interfering with other acts, events, spectators, or individuals.

4. I will remove my makeup and change into my street clothes as soon as possible following my appearance, so that I cannot be associated with any incident, which may be detrimental to the good name of clowning. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady at all times.

5. While on appearance, in makeup and costume, I will carry out the directives of the Producer or his designated deputies. I will abide by all performance rules without complaint in public.

6. I will do my very best to maintain the best clown standards of makeup, costuming, properties, and comedy.

7. I will appear in as many clown shows as I can.

The foregoing is a set of ethical principles promoted by major international clown organizations. To these principles, I add the following advice:

Smoking and Tobacco Products

Excerpted from, SO YOU WANNA BE A CLOWN: Mo's Guide to Becoming a Real Clown by Mona L. Webb, Ed.D. AKA MO

A clown should refrain from smoking and using tobacco products while in costume or in the public eye. The use of tobacco models inappropriate behavior for young children and youth observing the clown, and the smell of tobacco on the breath and clothing of a clown is unbecoming and offensive to many people. If you do smoke while on a break, be sure and get out of sight of the public, then use a good mouthwash and/or breath mints prior to returning to the clowning activities. But...the best advice is don't smoke in clown.

Our Webpages