World Clown Association, Orlando, Florida.

Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

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Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

This week, dozens of clowns descended on Orlando, Florida for the fortieth annual World Clown Association conference.

But these aren’t your scary clowns, those you would possibly know from scary motion pictures like “It.”

These are skilled clowns who work in huge circuses and county gala’s and those that volunteer in native hospitals, senior facilities and faculties.

Members of the WCA hail from 35 totally different international locations and their one function is straightforward, to “bring happiness, joy, fun and comic relief to children of all ages.”

These enjoyable clowns are available in 4 varieties. There’s are the white-faced and auguste clowns, in addition to tramp and character clown, like a Santa.

World Clown Association, Orlando, Florida.

Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

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Robin Bryan “Pinkie Bee” holds up her medal. On the appropriate, title tags with clown names had been on show.

Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

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Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

Robin Bryan, who goes by Pinkie Bee, is president of the WCA. She’s a white-faced clown, who historically performed the “straight man” in gags and routines.

Her total face and neck is roofed in white paint, with colourful sparkles and topped with a vibrant wig.

She principally volunteers at native hospitals along with her hubby.

“My husband and I have over 1,500 volunteer hours for Wolfson Children’s Hospital,” mentioned Bryan. “So we go in every week and we do our best to give smiles and tears and laughter and that’s what is important about being a clown, right?”

Patsy Garland who goes by Patty Cake can also be a white-faced clown. She wears a full face of white make-up, with a vibrant wig and flower hat on prime.

Patsy Garland, “Patty Cake,” official greeter on the World Clown Convention in Orlando, Florida on March 20, 2023.

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She makes use of her clowning to lift funds and consciousness for folks with particular wants, like herself, again residence in North Dakota.

“Patty Cake is just normal. And I’m just a normal person, inside and the outside with this on,” mentioned Garland. “I love being myself and bringing joy to everybody here.”

Representing the auguste clowns is Kynisha Ducre who runs training initiatives on the WCA. Auguste clowns are a mixture of the white-faced clown and the tramp or hobo clown, and supply the comedian reduction. They’re those who get the pie within the face.

Kynisha Ducre dressed as Daisy the Clown.

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Kynisha Ducre dressed as Daisy the Clown.

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Clown garments and puppets on the conference.

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Ducre wears much less make-up, in order that her pure pores and skin and hair exhibits by way of. Colorful rainbow sparkles cowl her face and her hair.

She takes her clowning all over the world, the place she interacts with native children and households. Her final journey took her to Morocco.

“I love humanitarian trips,” mentioned Ducre. “So I’ve been to six continents in more than 37 countries doing clowning.”

The tramp or hobo clown additionally gives comedian reduction within the conventional circus and that is the kind of clown Paul Lauder prefers. He wears the tattered garments and exaggerated frown of the hobo clown.

Charles Lauder balancing a hat on the World Clown Association Convention in Orlando, Florida on March 20, 2023.

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Lauder is from Canada and has been clowning since he was in his teenagers. He makes use of his craft to not solely specific his personal artistry and sense of silliness however to convey that out in his crowds.

“I was always kind of a theater kid. But then the clowning made sense. And then with the makeup, you have an instant character on stage and everything changes,” mentioned Lauder. “27 years later, it’s much less a mask and more just kind of a permission for the audience to be silly and be goofy.”

Throughout the convention, clowns attend workshops in face portray, wearable balloon artwork and magic they usually compete for titles like finest costume and finest skit.

Charles Lauder on the World Clown Association, Orlando, Florida.

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Charles Lauder on the World Clown Association, Orlando, Florida.

Michelle Bruzzese for NPR

Noses on show on the conference.

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And they do enterprise. There are distributors who promote traditional pink noses and clown footwear, together with puppets and different props to do magic.

Bryan and Ducre say with social media, it is by no means been simpler to remain linked all year long with their members, and to convey on new ones. Most wannabe clowns can get began by watching a number of movies on the WCA YouTube channel.

This quick access to the business, together with the enjoyment she personally will get from being a clown is why Bryan says clowning will proceed regardless of the scary motion pictures.

“I tell everybody, some people swim in a teaspoon of water and say they’re wet. But I want to dive deeply and clowning has given me a life that dives deeply. And it’s full of joy and laughter and, you know, everybody has down times,” mentioned Bryan. “Everybody has sad times, but when you could be a clown, you can take that away and leave it behind.”

Audience on the World Clown Convention welcome orientation in Orlando, Florida on March 20, 2023.

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