SeptOct_2013

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Our Good Cheer List Please take a minute and spread a few words of cheer with a card or note to one of our less fortunate members. Dr. Dave “Sneezer” Hoffner 13728 Greenwood Ave. N, #012 Seattle, WA 98133 Miriam “Senorita Soto” Kleinberger 2 Maple Lane North Loudonville, NY 12211 O.J. Meyer 24 Germania Ct. Toms River, NJ 08755 Barbara “Patches” Nichols 504 College Place Kingsville, TX 78363-4901 Frank “Famus Fumbles” Recor C/O Crystal River Health & Rehab 136 N.E. 12th Ave., Room 19N Crystal River, FL 34429 Sissy Womack 2602 Maplewood Road Richmond, VA 23228 Roland “Rolo the Clown” Wood 60 River Road Edwards, NY 13635 Fred Schlosshauer, Good Cheer Chairman 8 Alanon Street Whippany, NJ 07981 973-887-2617 oscarboj@aol.com Page 14 The New Calliope
Critique: Take It Or Leave It! by Julie Varholdt The open mic show was cute. The performers were happy with the applause and the smiles they received. The next morning a few of the participants gathered for breakfast and to discuss the acts that were in the show the night before. One of the newer performers who had done a bit the night before said, “I want you all to critique my gag, what did you think of my little bit? I can take it, tell me the truth.” … You could have heard a pin drop. Critique; an analysis or evaluation of a subject, situation, literary work, etc.; the act or art of criticizing; criticism. How could any good come out of criticizing someone’s work? How can you tell someone that their ‘bit or gag’ was not funny even though the audience seemed to be laughing? How can you tell someone that the laughter was what we call ‘pity laughter’? How can you tell them THE TRUTH? As a mentor and teacher and someone who is there to help, it is my job to do just that; TELL THE TRUTH, whether you want to hear it or not. If you ask me, I will tell you. I will be nice about it and professional, but it will be the truth as I see it. I want to see you get to the next level of entertaining and to get better as you go. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of your peers and perform. I know, I do it all the time. Critiquing happens a lot in our industry, especially if you are in competition during a clown convention. You are critiqued and judged and then given that piece of paper that tells you exactly what you didn’t want to hear! It’s amazing to stand back and listen to the participants get mad at what they are reading on their scoring sheets. The judges are not there to rip you up, they are there to help you get to the next level and to help you succeed at what you are doing. It is their opinion, and you can do with it what you want. If you have a bit that you want to have critiqued and the answer is not what you were hoping for, either shrug it off and keep doing the same thing over and over, or take it with a grain of salt and improve your bit as suggested and move on to the next level. Our ego can often get in the way in this industry. Our ego can greatly enhance our personal development or it can become an obstacle. It can open the door to a fulfilling and rewarding life or it can shut the door on personal growth and confine us with self-imposed limits. The minute you give in for the sake of someone’s ego, that’s it, the game is over. They’re not going to grow, or get to that next level. They’re always going to be stuck in that same old rut doing the same old gag over and over, getting those groans and pity laughs. It’s good to believe in yourself and your strength, and to be open to other people’s views. If I did not believe in my strengths and my views I would not have gotten as far as I have in this industry. I would still be cowering under someone else’s wings doing the same thing and not being happy. My ego is responsible for my doing what I do! BUT ... I’ve listened to what people have told me over the years and have tried their ideas and have tweaked those ideas until they fit who I am as a clown and a person. I’m still tweaking and listening and will always be learning as long as I live. If you don’t learn, you don’t grow. If you don’t grow, you will become stale! Listen to what they have to say. Even with the best intentions, criticism can make you feel defensive. Our first response is to become defensive. As much as we would like to punch that person’s lights out, hearing the criticism all the way through will teach you something, guaranteed or your money back! Even though it may be painful, breathe and listen to what they have to say. Ask questions. You will want to make sure you understand what the person is telling you. If it does not make perfect sense ask them to clarify their comments. By asking you can create cooperation with this person and grow. Respond to what they are saying. If you don’t agree and it’s not just your ego getting in the way, tell them and talk to them about it. Thank them for sharing their opinion, and for being honest with you. If they are not happy with your response, refer them to someone else who you think they may listen to. Own up to it. It’s very hard to hear that you’re not perfect, so take responsibility as a mature adult and a performer and get better. Don’t blame someone else and make excuses. Change. The most important thing to do when receiving criticism is to do something for yourself. Be happy and proud that you took the time to try. Many people can’t even take that first step and try. You did, and you are improving because of that. Change can be a painful process, but it leads to improvement and growth in the end. Now that you understand a bit more about critiquing, go back over the stack of judges’ comments and try to see them in a new light. Call up the person who told you the truth about your bit and ask them more questions on how to improve. And look at yourself in the mirror then pat yourself on the back for having the guts to get out there and TRY! ● ● ● September/October <strong>2013</strong> Page 15
Page 2 and 3: Order Your Additional 2014 COAI Cal
Page 4 and 5: Your COAI Officers EXECUTIVE COMMIT
Page 6 and 7: Page 6 The New Calliope
Page 8 and 9: 2014 Elections Are Just Around The
Page 10 and 11: WORKING WITH A PARTNER: SECRET SIGN
Page 12 and 13: Move Over Disney ... Move Over Univ
Page 16 and 17: Clowning With All Our Heart Aurora
Page 18 and 19: 1 2 3 4 5 Finger Puppets by Kent Sh
Page 20 and 21: Clowning With A Message A Challenge
Page 22 and 23: Jacobson Florida State Veteran’s
Page 24 and 25: CLOWNS OF AMERICA INTERNATIONAL FOR
Page 26 and 27: clown week Tuesday, August 6, 2013,
Page 28 and 29: Look Who's Reading While vacationin
Page 30 and 31: Meet Clydene “Lil' Darlin” Dyer

SeptOct_2013

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