Archive for » March 16th, 2010«
A heart for hospital clowning includes not only a great deal of training and learning, creating a character, designing a ‘look’ or costume, hours of practice and preparation, it also includes actual in-service time on the floor of a healthcare facility.
Hospital clowning is known to be one of the most challenging disciplines, due to facility regulations and the inherent requirements of performing in the special venue. To many, the mere thought of clowning for the sick is an endearing idea. However most folks don’t have an understanding of the behind-the-scenes preparation and training that is involved to make the scene.
Sometimes individuals make their way through the maze of regulations and restrictions, pull together a costume and appear on the floor for their debut, only to discover this wasn’t their cup of tea after all. It is a sad discovery, especially for those clowning team mates and performance partners looking forward to a new addition. It is often a surprising discovery for the new clown or family entertainer, as reality hits the linoleum, so-to-speak.
Reasons for this are as varied as individuals in the world. Often there is no way to predict its occurrence:
- Attracted to the thought of performing for the sick, inspired by a family member or friend in the hospital for an extended period of time, turns out to be more of a deterrent, as they battle recurring memories.
- The performer takes their “work” that looks like play ‘home’ with them and dwells on it.
- After following all procedures and training, some folks new to this venue discover they do not have the stamina to make Clown Rounds.
- Rounds schedule seems to always conflict with other things that take priority.
- Have a unrealistically high expectation they cannot fulfill or meet, to their satisfaction.
- Create a difficult-to-replicate look or face that takes too long, or is hard to maintain.
- Has difficulty developing a presentation, or finetuning the performance skills.
These are just a few of the reasons new folks may discover greater personal challenges in making Clown Rounds in a hospital or healthcare facility. Many of them can be addressed with training, once recognized. Here are a few suggestions:
- Having a mentoring system of new performers working with experienced team members for a specified period of time.
- Allow floor time experience after initial training, so new clowns and family entertainers have a better understanding, in advance.
- Continue coaching and one-on-one training experiences throughout the year, so that questions and concerns may be addressed, and efforts may be fine-tuned.
- A feeling of support and cohesiveness through welcoming hearts, understanding and acceptance go a long way to making a new person feel welcomed, “at home” and able to take on The Great Clown Unknown.
What kind of training and preparation does your facility offer? What type of training do you believe is the most beneficial? Please share your thoughts by leaving your comment…
