How can you entertain in a place like this?

The question often comes up. In fact, it seems only natural that folks would wonder how in the world anyone could entertain — let alone “clown” in the midst of sickness, sadness, sometimes even dying. Not an unusual query at all.

Even as the seasoned hospital/caring clown that I am (13 years, at this writing), I must admit if I stop to ponder this thought long enough — it makes me consider as well. But then, I know I have been doing this for many years and seen the joy and wonderment in the faces and eyes of so many. I guess that is how I can do this type of entertaining.

However, performing in the hospital does require special training. By their very nature, pediatrics, cancer wards and also hospice settings require extra preparation for entertainers. Many special situations and particular needs take entertaining in these venues well out of the norm or mainstream of performing even as compared to other healthcare settings.

Clowns who perform for patients usually agree the experience is humbling. The audience is not at their best, yet they usually welcome us in and thank us for our presence in the sweetest of ways. Our meager performances – no matter how grand, are dwarfed by the incredible strength and courage we appear in the face of, room after room, patient-by-patient. Sometimes the patients join in the celebration, sometimes quietly or just casually observing. I have even seen a patient or two take in our performance with all the energy they could muster — with eyes closed. They were there — right there with us, all along, I assure you.

The truth is, this kind of performing is very serious business. Hospital/caring clowns and healthcare entertainers may appear to be colorful and full of light, but a gentleness must pervade their spirits, as they wait and watch their audience watching them, adjusting, tweaking and fine-tuning their performance accordingly.

Similar to street performances, each presentation is always a little bit different even from the last, according to the audience, based on the patient’s interaction, as observed by the entertainer. Training and preparation help an entertainer to know what signs to look for, as cues to a patient’s ability to take in more of a show or if it’s time to pack it in and bid them adieu.

I often joke that I play best before a ‘captive audience’ – meaning one that can’t get away. Truthfully, I prefer entertaining in the healthcare setting for all of the intrinsic nuances and needs. The one-on-one performance behind the world’s smallest mask (clown nose) is my stage and my greatest Joy.

So when asked how in the world could I perform in a place like that — I answer, how could I not?