Archive for the Category »Art and Joy of Hospital Clowning «
Because the patient is in Center Ring when entertaining in the healthcare setting, there are some approaches that work best, and other techniques are not appropriate. Such is the case in ‘live performance.’ For instance, there is a definite difference between performing a skit and a schtick. However, we’ve met many clowns who do not perceive the difference between these two vehicles of entertainment, nor understand the correct application of them.
Healthcare family entertainers offer more than just a performance for their captive audience. Harking back to the original intent and purpose of entertaining — or cheering the patient is to:
- Empower them in the process, by allowing them choices — whether to allow us in to interact with them, in the first place.
- Including them in the performance as part of the act, to the extent possible in their health condition — giving them a needed break from their current situation, taking them away from that place even if for just a moment in time.
Here’s why skits don’t work when entertaining patients:
- By the nature of what our important ‘job’ is in the healthcare setting, the family entertainer, hospital clown or caring clown must remember to keep the spotlight on the patient — at all times.
- Even skits that are devised with outcomes that may be decided by the audience, or modified according to whim, are at the least somewhat pre-determined ‘templates’ of a set of actions to be applied to an unpredictable setting each and every time, in the healthcare venue.
- Skits come with a set of given situations and outcomes that are required to make it effective in a traditional setting, but may not be able to be played out to completion due to continual unknowns with each patient.
- Performers involved with presenting a skit must step into Center Ring, displacing the patient in the process, if even for a moment. This not only removes the patient from the main focus of the visit, but also takes the entertainer’s attention away from their audience. This totally sucks the air and the life out of the experience.
Why schticks work:
- They are short bits of performance with no agenda, that can be reworked according to each and every patient’s condition, degree of interaction or performance.
- Schticks often present a vehicle to draw the patient into the Center Ring to assist the magician or uniquely help solve the ‘problem’ for the silly clown who just ‘doesn’t get it.’
- This means of entertainment is such that the bit can be shortened, lengthened or even terminated abruptly as necessary, according to the patients’ changing condition.
- The patient is empowered by the performance tailored to them, and for that moment in time, taken to another place — of levity and fun.
NEXT: How can a healthcare family entertainer, hospital clown or caring clown perform more effectively in the healthcare setting with schticks, and avoid the inappropriate use of skits?
We learn something in everything we do — that’s called life. Keeping our eyes open and being observant. Evaluating the process with every step — how are we doing? Fine-tuning as we go, to reach the mark. Dedicated to the purpose.
In actuality, it’s not about the process — it’s about the doing… the sharing of the moment, the Joy, the laughter, the humor.
Some welcome the humorous interlude with open arms, embracing the moment. Others will only allow us a small space in time. Still others — will refuse. We have to offer up our gift in an enticing way, making it be an irresistible offer — one that simply cannot be ignored, in a gentle, non-invasive way. The choice to “receive” is left entirely up to the intended recipient.
Each time, we must remember the experience in delivering Humor, however it is presented. Our efforts will be most effective if we offer Applied Humor Therapy as the individual wants to receive it. We must meet them in that place. Or allow drive through, express-style. Whatever works in the venue, for the audience and the day.
As Applied Humor Therapists, we have a commitment to share the laughter, Joy and Healing Humor, injecting it in the spaces allowed. Then and only then, have we been truly effective.
Related Post: Injecting Healing Humor and Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting: Its All About Relationships
But wait! There’s much more to come on this topic…
The week of August 1-7 is International Clown Week!
This fabulously-fun event is celebrated all over the world, in many ways, by clowns with special events, parades, parties and proclamations!
But first, a little history:
Under the 91st Congress, the House and Senate Public passed Law 91-443, JJR 26 on October 8, 1970.
The joint resolution was then sent on to President Richard Nixon, and signed into law officially on August 2, 1971, designating “National Clown Week by the President of the United States of America Proclamation.”
Following suit, throughout the United States, Governors and Mayors have their own Clown week proclamation for their respective state or city.
Since its inception, ‘National Clown Week’ has expansively grown to become “International Clown Week”!
In this video clip, Laffy Taffy shares her experiences and surprising discovery, in setting up FRMC Charlies’ Chaplains’ now-infamous Nose Transplant Clinic for the first time in 2005…
Laffy will be celebrating this special week with Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains, as they perform FREE Nose Transplants and FaceLifts (Smiles!) in their now-infamous Clinic for the sixth consecutive year!
How will you celebrate International Clown Week? Please share your plans and events with us, by leaving a comment!
Smiles — and clown noses — all around!
Performers sometimes must change their tune!
…are the reason for the visit!
I remember the day well. We had just begun our Clown Rounds, and she came flying around the corner. When she got a look at us, she broke out into a huge, beautiful smile and warmly laughed, at the surprising sight standing before her. As I remember it, I think her laugh may have been one of those laughs of welcome-relief-to-see-us kind of laughs. You know — the kind that is relaxed, not forced, and maybe even a little self-soothing. She had just arrived at the hospital from out-of-town, to be by her father’s bedside.
Not hesitating one moment, she invited us in to meet him and spend a few precious minutes with them. We hadn’t even knocked on his door, before she greeted us and swept us away, inside his still, calm room. We accepted her gracious invitation and stepped into Center Ring. As always, we approached gently, quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping older gentleman. I don’t believe his eyes opened the entire time we were in his room. But his daughter couldn’t keep her eyes off of us, and we talked and laughed and shared and had a wonderful visit.
As she held her dear daddy’s hand, she told him about us, and explained we were here to visit. I don’t believe he stirred a bit, nor even opened an eye to see. He just continued on, getting his well-deserved rest. She began to express her appreciation of our visit and how special it was to have the serendipitous experience of running into us (nearly!) as she did. We agreed. Once we sized up the room and patient situation as the door swung open, we knew we were “there” for the visitor, this time.
No doubt the patient receives benefits from a hospital clown’s gentle presence, even with eyes closed. I have personally witnessed this. But this time, it was the joyful interaction this visitor was craving, that helped her to slip into the room, and fill the otherwise silent void.
It's all about the relationships...
The thought to visit sick patients in the hospital or to cheer the infirm is often an endearing idea to many folks, especially if they have never actively done this, or possibly considering this compassionate act. Doing so is a meaningful Gift of Heart.
Once fully-vested in the adventure or totally addicted to the experience of Joy-provoking in the healthcare setting, it cannot be replicated elsewhere, and the need-to-be-there-to-share is paramount. The main focus of the endeavor may be a compassionate act, but it is only a part of the journey.
As in ‘real’ life, each and every step is guided, enhanced or obstructed by relationships…
- How personally prepared one is to embark upon this journey, to handle whatever comes their way.
- How much a part of the Wellness Team the individual and/or group, troupe or ministry is, in actuality.
- How committed the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer is to their true purpose.
- How adept the performer is in interacting with the patients, staff and visitors in any and all situations.
- How much the hosting facility embraces and supports the effort.
So, perhaps you mistakenly thought you’re totally prepared with the best training available, many years of experience with the most gorgeous costume, makeup and shtick around — but you would be incorrect.
You see, our performance in the healthcare setting is never all about us. I beg of you to deeply consider yet another element that will literally make-or-break your act and effectiveness… it’s all about relationships.
More to come – I promise…
"Bubba" Sikes
“A Heart 4 Hospital Clowning” Interview with “Bubba” Sikes on AHeart4Clowning Talk Radio Show July 8 1PM EDT
Center Ring Spotlight this month is on special guest JT “Bubba” Sikes world-renowned Hospital Clown, COAI clown-in-residence, great trainer, downright – and outright VERY funny guy! He will be on the July show to talk about Hospital Clowning and humor in the healthcare setting – with tips, ideas and pointers you can use!
Join us as we broadcast live, or listen to the recorded show on your schedule, from the archive!
Call or text-in your questions during the show… listen from the comfort of your computer, or your phone.
AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show “A Heart 4 Hospital Clowning” Interview with JT “Bubba” Sikes Show Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aheart4clowningtalkradio/2010/07/08/a-heart-4-hospital-clowning-interview-with-jt-bubba-sikes
Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? I believe this is true; however I think the essence first emanates from the heart. Afterall, it is from the heart that all actions spring. We are moved and so we move — first from stirrings within our hearts.
A hospital/caring clown or a healthcare family entertainer offers their gift of heart when they perform. Maybe they simply provide a gentle presence at the bedside of a very sick patient, or nearby grieving family members…
Amidst the dull sameness, wrapped in cold and uncertain air in a sterile atmosphere, the hospital or healthcare performer finds the place to do their important work from within their heart.
It is there, on the world’s smallest stage — between performer and patient, that an act debuts. It is performed especially for the audience — one person, for this moment in time. It will never be repeated exactly the same — ever again.
But the memory of it will be held forever in the hearts of the patient and the entertainer.
That’s the beauty of it.
~*~~*~*~~*~
By the way — May 2nd is World Laughter Day — how do you plan to celebrate, provoke laughter?
Don’t miss a thing! Lots going on around here — by signing up, we’ll keep you updated — click this link here
Jeannie Lindheim as Bloopers
AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Special Interview with Jeannie Lindheim
All eyes turn to Center Ring, as the Big Top spotlight at AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show broadcasts a very special guest interview with Jeannie Lindheim, Founder and Creative Director of “Jeannie Lindheim Hospital Clown Troupe” in the Boston area – now known as “Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe.”
When one thinks of the “Art” and “Joy” inherent in Hospital Clowning, the importance of improvisation integral to performances Hospital and Caring Clowns give, and the attention to detail, Jeannie Lindheim’s name most often comes to mind.
Author of “The Art and Joy of Hospital Clowning” Training Program now in 23 countries, Jeannie, has conducted over 100 regional and national workshops for primary care and specialty physician groups. She has also taught acting, movement, improvisation, creativity, auditioning, characterization techniques for the past 30 years at a variety of educational institutions.
Jeannie Lindheim has received numerous honors, and taken her specialty outside the hospital walls. Following Hurricane Katrina, Jeannie went to Houston where she did 1,100 ‘by the cot’ visits to clown and support those who had been evacuated from New Orleans.
And, there’s SO much more! The show airs live at 1:00PM EDT Thursday, April 8th, will be recorded and available for download from the show archive. Plan to join us for experienced insight and inspiration!
Listen to the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.