NovDec_2012

What's In
A Name
by Kynisha Ducre
clowninaroundtown@gmail.com.
In Shakespeare’s
1600 classic “Romeo
and Juliet,” Juliet speaks
to Romeo asking,
“What’s in a name?”
Though our love story
revolves around the joy
of clowning, we should
always be willing to share
our name with anyone
who will listen or can
read. Occasionally, I sing
top hits and put my clown
name in the lyrics. For
example, Justin Bieber’s
hit “Baby, Baby,
Baby” is sung
“Daisy, Daisy,
Daisy … oh” during
some of my shows.
In the corporate
world, image and
branding are extremely
important. Julie “Lovely
Buttons” Varholdt has
an awesome class on this
topic. If we simplified
this to our costumes and
name badges, this would
be a great start! I have
five name badges; one for
each of my personalities.
My favorite flower
is the Gerber daisy;
hence my clown name
“Daisy.” For my first
name badges, I went
to my local craft store,
purchased an artificial
and wooden cut-out
flower. I also purchased
some Darice wooden
letters, paint, and a sheet
of scrapbook paper for
more visual interest. Once
I had the supplies, the
sky was the limit and by
far these are the ones I
feel pretty wearing. My
most easily read badge
was customized by Andy
of kudosclownandmagic.
com and my badge that
lights up was purchased
from savannahballoons.
com at the Twist and
Shout convention some
years ago.
For those of you who
attended the Texas Clown
Association convention
this year, you were
introduced to my 6-yearold
son, Cayman, who
helped his mommy win
Best All Around Clown
with his debut in a group
skit performance where
we won a first place
medal. Cayman loves
Legos and helped me
create two name badges
out of Legos, which
are super, awesome!
Whatever badge you
choose, pick a contrasting
color to your costume or
bright colors.
Make sure your name
badges aren’t too busy
and are in a big type
size. Also, create them
as sturdy as possible to
withstand all the dancing,
and other comical
movements you do. If
name badges aren’t for
you, try embroidering
your bib, shirt, or jacket.
You can also attach vinyl
letters or paint your
name on your bag, case,
or umbrella. And for
the ultimate girly girls,
BeDazzle it!
l l l
Page 44
The New Calliope