Clowning, taught by Nick Wilkins, a Ringling Brothers trained clown, is always a popular class at SCATS. Campers learn to juggle scarves and balls, and balance a feather on a finger. They get a chance to try out makeup and develop their own clown persona. Today was balloon sculpture day. Everyone was very intense as they tried to make their own creations following Nick’s instructions. Squeaking sounds filled the air as campers twisted and turned their balloons. The first balloon creature was a weiner dog. Some had long bodies, some had long tails, and sadly some popped! Cameron was surprised that you could make so many different things by twisting and bending the balloons.
As the campers worked with their balloons, Nick told them a little about the business of clowning. Balloons aren’t free so you have to consider that when deciding what sculptures you will make at an event. Different crowds like different things, sometimes it’s an animal, sometimes a sword. You can be sure of two things he told them, as soon as someone sees you make something cool, everyone will want one, and someone will come back after popping theirs to ask for another.
Our campers are well on their way to clowndom! We can’t wait to see what they can do next week!
