Without adding to The Villages population census, seven new characters were added to The Villages lifestyle recently at the Savannah Center. Seven new graduates of The Villages Lifelong Learning College clown class, were welcomed in a colorful parade by Clown Alley #179.
Since this was a regular monthly business meeting, the 90 or so other clowns in attendance were not dressed in their clown personas — no wigs, no glitzy makeup, no floppy shoes. But there were lots of smiles and laughs as each new clown was introduced and performed a skit.
Janice and Allen Klein, from the Village of Pinellas, were unmistakably related by their polka dot outfits as Toodles and Doodles;’ Hillsborough Villager, Sharon Batt’ became ‘Spunky,’ and Audrey Kelly from Winifred became ‘Waddles.’ Ray Heydet from Poinciana Village was there to help his wife, Nathalie, a/k/a/ ‘Chatty Natty’ with her straight orange and yellow striped wig. “Is she really chatty?” someone asked Ray. “Oh, yes, very,” Ray answered, as he laughingly backed away defensively from his wife’s imaginary retaliation.
Santiago Villager, John Dowling, became ‘Xelpho,’ and together with Hadley Villager, Joseph R. Bradley as ‘Waz Up,’ performed a skit with a surgical theme. The two new clowns operated on a faux patient, who they made out of pillows on a table covered by a sheet. Their diagnosis was “there are a lot of strange things going on in here,” and they tossed a hot dog, marbles and a can of food, which they ‘found’ inside the patient’s body. “What is that?” Zelpho asked his assistant surgeon. “I believe that is a can, sir,” Waz Up replied. “But we got it all out and the patient’s prognosis is good.”
‘Chatty Natty’ and ‘Waddles’ did a supermarket skit, in which the store wound up owing Waddles money for being such a successful coupon collector. Spunky’s solo ‘one-liner’ act involved two rubber chickens. She asked “What would a chicken coop with two doors be if it had four doors?” Her punch line was: “It would be a chicken sedan.” The skits mostly employ time-worn situations and jokes, but the more corny they are, the funnier they can be — given the clowns’ demeanor and delivery.
The new clowns do ‘walkarounds’ at The Villages squares to become comfortable with their new personas, and for practice. Each designs his/her own face and ‘character.’ Clowning comes easier to some folks than others. “I always enjoyed performing,” Natalie Heydet said. “I was an elementary school teacher, so I like being with kids and adults.”
“I was at an Honor Flight ceremony,” Bradley said, “and quite a few clowns were there entertaining the crowd. One of the female clowns said they needed more males. I enjoy people and like to see them smile — so I signed up.” For most of the clowns, the hobby is a chance to be creative, make people feel joy, and spread positive feelings in an often chaotic world.
The term ‘alley,’ as in ‘Clown Alley #179’ originally referred to circus back stage areas, where clowns stored their props, costumed themselves and put on their makeup. The term has come to mean any group of professional clowns, whether or not they are associated with a circus or carnival.
The VLLC catalog describes Villager Don Fortier’s clown class as teaching the basics of clowning. Classes are two and one-half hours long — and run for eight weeks. Clown wannabees study clown history, etiquette, character development, make-up, costuming, balloon twisting and face painting. The class is geared toward students who want to join ‘an alley’ inside or outside The Villages; a clown ministry, or who just want to entertain their family and friends.
Members of Clown Alley #179 share camaraderie, supportive friendships, clowning tips, and sign clowns up for various gigs and assignments around The Villages. Area residents will find clowns in most parades, large festive events and rallies and Camp Villages summer sessions for visiting children. For more information, contact ‘Curly Top’ (Josie Morello) at [email protected].
