C24—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 18,1981 BY DEBBIE KOONTZ LANCASTER Lancaster 4- H’ers are often called dedicated, creative, enthusiastic and am bitious, but in the future they may oe called a bunch of clowns. That is, if Nancy Myers, 4-H agent, gets r.er say m the matter Known across the county for initiating numerous new projects for Lancaster 4-H, Myers has decided to make her newest project opportunity for 4-H’ers, downing After a county workshop Tuesday night, a regional workshop in York County and much studying on the subject, Myers has found clowning to be much more than having fun at a circus. Though it may be a far cry from the normal 4-H project of dairy, swine, cooking and sewing, downing is a growing project m Pennsylvania and one which demands senous attention. At a regional 4-H spring fling workshop in York County, recently, members of Lebanon County’s clowning 4-H presented their side of the clowning trade. Tuesday night, Mial Hillhouse, a member of the Professional Clown’s Club of America, spoke to interested 4-H’ers on his art. “Milo,” as Hillhouse is known professionally, began by telling the history of clowning and worked his way up to costumes and makeup for the modern clown. All 4-H’ers interested in clowning should know that clowning is recognized as a profession and an art today and that years of clowning have led to this status. The earliest recognized clowns were court jesters of the Middle Ages. They performed tricks and told stones while entertaining royalty. Their costumes were usually trimmed with noisy bells. Harlequin clowns appeared m the Italian theatre of the 16th century. Their faces were covered with black half-masks and tights covered their legs. The first clown to wear white face makeup was the Pierrot. This clown had big pompoms like huge buttons on their loose fitting white tops. Also, their hats usually came to a point. Today, the modem clowns fall into three categories; The white face clown makes his “I wonder why everyone is pointing at us," many side benefits. One of which is making these characters seem to be saying, for to people laugh, them clowning is a serious 4-H project with 4-H'ers clown around face with white grease paint as a base and then adds other bright colors according to his chosen character. The second type of clown is known as the Auguste He is usually a clumsy individual who trips over everything. Charlie Chaplin is the most famous Auguste clown. He wears little makeup. The third, and perhaps most famous, is the hobo or tramp This character is usually sad and lonely and usually works in audiences alone This is the only type of clown which can appear untidy and still be a hit with the audience All clowns in the circus are calley Joey, after Joseph Grimaldi, the first of the great V • / “Let’s see, there was a reason I'm at the 4-H workshop. Was it to talk about swine or capons maybe?” £* R,-* MU S' modem clowns. Grimaldi first appeared m the early 1800’s in London, England. To be a successful clown, Milo advised carrying a good supply of makeup, baby powder and mirrors. The faces and costumes a clown can wear are ended only by the imagination according to Milo. But being a clown is more than painting on a face and wearing a funny costume according to Barbara O’Neill, Somerset County 4-H agent. Professional clowns have a strict code of ethics and a great variety of opportunities to perform. Though Milo works for the Shriner’s Circus in Harrisburg, he also has performed m hospitals, at small parties and even at adult gatherings for just 5 or 6 people. Andrew Leader speaks to 4-H'ers at their regional 4-H spring fling in York County. Being a clown is more than just a funny face to this dedicated clown. Farm banquets, 4-H meetings, and society gatherings could be just a few of the events any clown could add to his list. And if you think clowning in volves just walking around looking funny, think back to your last circus. Those clowns didn’t just stand there did they’ Clowning in 4-H also involves learning to write skits, making balloon animals, learning to act, and working with other clowns. As a 4-H clown you’ll finally have the chance to act foolish in front of people and make them happy with out them knowing who you are. If you are interested in clowning for Lancaster County, call Nancy Myers at 394-6851, or call the 4-H agent in your county and get a clown project started. Just another face in the crowd Mial Hillhouse discusses the art of clowing to in terested 4-H'ers in Lancaster County.
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