Imitations

How does a person begin to develop a clown character? How does an individual develop his own personal performance style? How does a person excel in a specific genre of art? One of the keys to development is imitation.

Often, experienced clowns chaff at “First of Mays” whose only routines are store bought “canned” replicas of others. But, where are beginners supposed to begin? If a new clown is imitating someone else, or using material that someone else has developed, give him credit. At least he is out there doing it! Most people would never dare to put on the greasepaint. This person has a desire to make a difference in people’s lives and is making a sincere effort to do it well.

How did each one of us begin? Where did we get the idea to put make-up on our faces? We saw someone somewhere...in a book, on t.v., in person...and determined that we would imitate that clown. Where do people learn slapstick? Watching Abbott & Costello, Charlie Chaplin, Chevy Chase or an instructor at a clown conference. Imitating someone who knows what he is doing is wise.

What about prop construction? To learn from an instructor,whether in person or in book form, saves a lot of time, effort and money!

A number of years ago I was a part of Advanced Studies on the Performance Art of Clown with Frosty Little and Leon McBride. One of the most impacting experiences of my clown career occurred during the mime sessions with Jose’ Rivera. As he led through the mime exercises, we imitated him, and words cannot do justice to what was experienced and learned in those mime sessions. (I've included a picture of me doing a mime performance at my first "Next Step" workshop held with Janet Tucker and J.T. "Bubba" Sikes.)

Imitation is what apprenticeship was all about. How does one learn to drive a car? bake a cake? play an instrument? By imitating someone else who does it well. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

Many people want to simply "be individuals." "I need to be myself...not a carbon copy of another." They do not want to learn from others. Somehow they feel it is a criticism of their efforts when someone suggests training. People (clowns) with that attitude generally have low-self-esteem and are defensive. To perform well (in any discipline) it is important to first of all learn the techniques of the art. This is done through submitting one's self -- and one's ego -- to another who is experienced and effective. Once a person has learned the methods and insights of another, one may use those techniques to express oneself.

A side-note about performance material: Standard dealers items and routines in book form, etc., are open to all for use. Other performer’s original material is not open for duplicating. They worked hard to hone their material to bring it to the point of excellence they’ve achieved. They’ve invested much. Don’t simply take their material and act like its yours! It’s fine to imitate another’s style, but please don’t steal their material.

I've imitated David Boyd, Charlie Chaplin, Red Skelton, Bill Irwin, Dick Gruber, Leon McBride, "Big Dan" Rector and others. Through trial and error I've learned what works for me with my audiences...but I had a good foundation to work from since I was imitating the style of successful performers from the start. I tried to learn their style and then found what applied to my clowning.

I once heard, "A smart person learns from his own mistakes. But, a wise person learns from the mistakes of others." Listen to others. Learn from others. Be a student. Copy a master to learn the techniques you may combine with the talents and insights with which God has gifted you.

Christians should take this same advice to heart. Paul said that he tried to provide an example for the believers to follow (2 Thessalonians 3:9, Philippians 3:17). Jesus said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Ephesians 5:1 instructs us to “..be imitators of God....” We don’t have to try to figure this whole spiritual thing out on our own. Jesus came to give us the example. He’s the Master Teacher. Read about him. Talk with him. Spend time with him. Imitate him in all you do!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...” (Hebrews 11:2).

*The basis of this article originally ran in the "Clown Ministry IMPACT Newsletter" in 1999.