Clown Chronicles: May 2025
What Happened in April
The meeting was called to order at 6:53pm, with three special guests joining us, including the legendary Brenda Marshall. Bonita “PerSnickerty” Riley shared her journey back into clowning and Charlotte Recoussine who is now officially a member! Inspired by her brother’s cancer journey and Brittany Allen’s role as his clown, Charlotte eventually joined the clowning world through volunteer work.
We shared heartwarming moments. Margaret Clauder was told by a child during her Bookworm performance, “I hope you have a great day,” and Willie Thomas proudly performed in public for the first time mingling with children and families at the weekend events.
The Treasurer’s report and previous minutes were approved. We thanked everyone who volunteered at the Irving Parks & Rec event in exchange for our meeting space. Those volunteers were Sterling, Willie, William, Rudie, Bonita, Tony, Juliana, Tricia and Rudy. Mary suggested involving high school art students as face painters and possible recruits. The Children’s Cancer Gala was a huge success. Thanks to volunteers Cinde, Debbie, William, Willie, Maria, Teresa, Tricia, Rudy and Maria’s two sons.
The TCA Convention (Sept 11–14) will focus on education and family fun. A motion passed to purchase a half-page ad ($50) in the program thanking Cowtown Clowns for hosting. Rudie will design it, with Tony possibly assisting.
Next month, we’ll skip our regular meeting to join Cowtown Clowns for a joint alley gathering on Wednesday, May 8, 5:30– 8:30 PM at Georgia Farrow Rec Center. Neal Skoy, former Ringling clown, will lead a workshop. The cost for each alley will be around $450 which was approved by the members. There will be no dinner, but plenty of snacks. Brenda reminded us this event is open to the whole performer community. Also noted: “Magic in the Living Room” on May 6 will feature clowns! Rudy and Willie entertained with a skit for GLOW.
Brenda Marshall closed the evening with a charming presentation on birthday party clowning. Performing since 1981, Brenda—aka “Flower the Clown”—built her reputation through word of mouth. Her heartfelt advice included staying kind, confident, and prepared, while always putting connection first.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.
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A Word from Our Clown-in-Chief
First of May!
In the world of professional clowning, tradition runs deep. From the intricate designs of clown makeup to the unspoken rules of the circus, everything has a meaning. One such tradition is the term "First of May," which refers to a clown in their first year of performing with a circus. But where does this phrase come from, and why is it used to describe rookie clowns?
The Origin of ‘First of May’
The term "First of May" dates back to the golden era of traveling circuses in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, circuses typically opened their touring season around May 1st. New performers and crew members who had never traveled with a circus before, would arrive at the start of the season, eager to begin their journey under the big top. Since these fresh-faced performers joined at the beginning of May, seasoned circus veterans took to calling them "First of Mays." It was a way of identifying newcomers who were still learning the ropes; figuratively and sometimes literally!
What It Means to Be a ‘First of May’
Being a “First of May” meant much more than just being new. It was a rite of passage. First-year clowns and performers had to prove themselves through hard work, dedication, and the ability to adapt to the demand- ing lifestyle of the circus. They often took on tasks beyond their performances, such as helping set up the tent, caring for animals, or assisting veteran clowns with props and costumes. The term also carried a sense of mentorship. Experienced clowns would take a “First of May” under their wing, teaching them the unwritten rules of clowning, from comedic timing to the importance of audience interaction. The relationship between a veteran and their “First of May” was crucial in keeping circus traditions alive.
Earning the Title of ‘Old Timer’
A “First of May” remains one until they complete their first full year with the circus. Once they return for a second season, they shed the label and are considered part of the seasoned crew. At this point, they might take on their own “First of May”, passing down the lessons they once received The Legacy of the ‘First of May’ Today. Even though the traditional traveling circus has declined, the term "First of May" remains alive in clowning and circus culture. Whether in a modern circus, a clown club, or an independent performance troupe, new clowns still face the challenge of learning their craft and earning their place among seasoned performers. The phrase symbolizes fresh beginnings, enthusiasm, and the time-honored cycle of passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. To be called a “First of May” is an honor. It means you’ve taken the first step into a world filled with laughter, wonder, and the never-ending pursuit of bringing joy to audiences.
So, to all the” First of Mays” out there: Welcome to the circus! Enjoy the journey, and before you know it, you’ll be an old-timer, teaching the next generation of clowns how to embrace the magic of performance.
— Cinde “Boopsie” Sanders
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Are You Interested in Being CPR & First-Aid certified?
Being CPR and First Aid certified through the American Red Cross not only equips you with life-saving skills, but also boosts your credibility and professionalism as a performer. Parents, schools, and event organizers feel more confident hiring someone who is prepared for emergencies and shows a commitment to safety. It's a powerful selling point that sets you apart, showing you're not just fun and talented, but also responsible and prepared to protect you’re audience.
Certified instructor Rob Divers will be offering a CPR and First Aid course through the American Red Cross on Saturday, September 14th at 9:00 AM. This is the final day of the TCA Convention. This valuable certification is offered as an optional, add-on experience and extra fee. While you don’t need to be registered for the convention to participate in the class, we certainly hope you’ll join us for the full TCA weekend!
Raddison Hotel Fossil Creek/Fort Worth Fossil Creek
2450 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76106
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JOINT ALLEY WORKSHOP
Thursday, May 8, 2025
5:30-8:30pm
Georgia Farrow Recreation Center — 530 Davis Drive, Irving, Texas
…AND IT’S FREE!
We’re thrilled to share this exciting news. For those of you who are newer to the alley, you might not know that we used to hold a joint alley meeting each May to celebrate clowning and family entertainment. Each year, the three alleys would take turns hosting, and it was always a blast, with dinner, entertainment, and plenty of laughs.
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Well… this May, we have an amazing opportunity to bring that tradition back! Even better, we are teaming up with Cowtown Clowns to share the costs and bring in top-notch entertainment for a three hour workshop. This is exactly the kind of educational fun the DFW alley merger was all about, and I believe it’s going to be EPIC!
The Workshop
Neal Skoy has been walking the tightrope between theatre and clowning his entire life. Having performed with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Big Apple Circus, and Circus World Museum, he has established himself as a renowned circus comedian. He also has extensive experience with interactive street theatre and professional stage theatre performance. The evening workshop will involve playful theatre games*, discussions about comedy and the audience experience, as well as how to generate your own material from scratch. The goal of the evening is for everyone to become not just mentally flexible, but to tap into what is essential at the core of all clowning. What are the truths that have been hiding under our (clown) noses this whole time.
*Movement and gameplay are not required or expected of everyone. Observing and discussing are equally as vital. *
