| Even the emperor of China all had jokesters who | | | | slapstick comedy. |
| dressed in outlandish costumes and performed songs, | | | | The venue most commonly associated with clowns is |
| dances and skits for their entertainment. Their services | | | | probably the circus. The first circus reportedly took |
| were so important to royalty that clowns typically held | | | | place in the mid 1700s and one of the biggest draws |
| higher rank than average citizens. | | | | has always been the clown act. Today, aspiring |
| During the Middle Ages, clowns began to work for | | | | performers can attend "Clown College" to learn the ins |
| money as they went from town to town with traveling | | | | and outs of this beloved profession, from makeup |
| bands of actors. The most famous example of the | | | | application and costume creation to comedic timing |
| development of clowning as a profession can be seen | | | | and how to fall down without getting hurt. |
| in the Italian improvisational theater, commedia dell'arte. | | | | Everyone loves a clown, the old saying goes. Most |
| Attend any modern day renaissance festival and you | | | | people have cherished childhood memories of their silly |
| will no doubt see this character roaming the grounds, | | | | antics and innocent fun, as clowns for hire are a staple |
| teasing patrons and generally making a loveable fool | | | | at birthday parties across the world. Children and |
| of himself. | | | | adults alike delight in the balloon animals and magic |
| During the early 1900's, Vaudeville Theater was the | | | | tricks performed right in their own backyards. |
| entertainment of choice for the masses. These shows | | | | Whatever the occasion or location, clowns have been |
| often featured a clown. Although Vaudeville clowns | | | | a popular form of entertainment for thousands of |
| didn't wear makeup, they performed all the familiar | | | | years. |
| activities such as juggling, mime, acrobatics and | | | | |