"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

When appearing in the healthcare setting, a good deal of what entertainers do for patients is to empower them. This is done in several ways as part of the performance, gently offered in a 2-step process:

1. Initially, allowing the patient to decide if they would like to have a clown or entertainer enter their room for a visit. Ask the patient’s permission first, before entering their room. Remember — they are in the hospital, and you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” Allow them that blessing. Their refusal to see you is not meant as a personal reaction  to you, but it is a deeply personal decision to them. Since they are in the hospital, you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” The whole permission request step is empowering to the patient because they are the ones to decide.
2. Pulling patients into the act, as an integral part of the performance allows them to become involved in the activity however they may be able. This helps break the monotony and dispels pervading sadness, while whisking them away to a lighter place for this moment in time. Participating in an act may be as simple as completely directing the ’scene’ (”stop,” “go,” “yes,” “no,” etc.). I recommend no hands-on activities (by the patients), but that is up to your hosting healthcare facility. Some hospitals allow this type of entertaining, and their policies, procedures and hygiene protocol should be followed.

As you can see, the whole concept of figuratively putting the patient into Center Ring for the performance (or not) is all about them — not us, as entertainers. Our performance is completely based upon their decisions, preferences and choices. Following this strategy not only gives the patient a lighter moment but allows them the grace of personal empowerment to decide and take an active part (or not) in the process.

In the healthcare setting, the patient is the star performer! As the hospital or caring clowns or healthcare family entertainers serve up a tasty feast of fabulous fun, let us always remember this wonderful motto:

“Have it their way!”

Related Post: Hospital Clowns/Healthcare Family Entertainers: Which Comes First: the Patient or the Act?

'Being there' isn't enough.

Part Two in a series on Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting…

A healthcare family entertainer has many considerations in performing in the venue — costume, schtick, props, policies, procedures, and much more… but never should the preparations nor the entertainment be put before all else. Showing up in your finery, with all the best stuff and greatest act in the world is not enough. It’s laudable to always put your best effort and clown foot forward, but not before first considering the audience.

Other facets of what entertainers do for patients in the healthcare setting is to empower them. This is done initially by allowing the patient to decide if they would like to have you enter their room for a visit. Remember — they are in the hospital, and you are likely the only person they can refuse or tell “no.” Allow them that blessing.

It is not up to the hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer to barge into the patient’s room anyway — throwing our hat into the proverbial ring (or their room) while completely ignoring their feeble request — because ‘we know they will feel better seeing a clown,’ or whatever reason you have in mind. If they saw you from just outside their door — they saw you, and that may be enough for them in that moment in time.

Sometimes the act you will perform for a patient is a simple act of kindness, from the heart — allowing them the space and time to continue in their healing or preparation process and respecting their response to you, because they know how they feel.

Related posts:

Hospital Clowns and Caring Clowns Offer a Work of Heart for All

What in the World are You Here For?

Part One in this Series…

Next: How patients are a ‘part of the act’ when entertaining in the healthcare setting

'Being there' isn't enough.

Hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers exist to perform in their venue on the world’s smallest stage. Their entertainment is often at a patient’s bedside, to an audience comprised of one. The act usually debuts in real time, right before their eyes and will likely never be performed quite the same way again.

In most cases, the focus is on the patient because the reason for being there is to brighten their day and lessen their pain if at all possible, through an unexpected interlude of joy and levity. But “being there” is not enough.

“Getting there” may seem a nearly unsurmountable task for most, especially if you are a family entertainer who is wishing, waiting and hoping to become involved in a healthcare humor program. Sometimes, persevering through the seemingly endless maze of training and testing to begin rounds may feel overwhelming. I realize this, but once arriving at the facility for rounds again I say — “being there” is not enough.

Next: How patients are empowered when entertaining in the healthcare setting…

]]> http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/06/24/hospital-clownshealthcare-family-entertainers-which-comes-first-patient-or-the-act/feed/ 0 http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/06/05/great-schtick-screening-for-normality/ http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/06/05/great-schtick-screening-for-normality/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:00:22 +0000 Becky Cortino http://www.aheart4clowning.com/?p=1056

Looking for a great schtick? Here’s one you can easily perform on Clown Rounds, at special events, Humor Clinics or whenever you feel this screening is needed!

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

Miles of Smiles: Becky Cortino

Are you a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare entertainer?

You are invited and encouraged to please take our short Hospital Clown/Healthcare Performer Survey to tell us your thoughts, and about what you do at your facility. All respondents remain anonymous and no personal information is required to participate. 

Here is the link for our short survey: Click this link here for the survey

As most folks in this venue, I am a volunteer. I am not paid for hospital visitations or performances I have freely given since 1997, nor am I salaried to coordinate, or for any ongoing training I have provided the hospital group I’ve been honored to serve as coordinator for since 2003. I do not have a trunkload of supplies and gadgets to sell you. No fees are collected to maintain this site or any related community groups – so know I am fully-vested in my global mission to encourage more hospital humor programs globally.

Why am I offering this Survey?

As part of building-community, I would like to know what you think, and more about the kind of work you do. Your input is important and your thoughts are appreciated — I know you are as driven by your passion, as I am!

Click this link here for our short survey

Tell us what you think… what you do at your facility…

As always, if you have a question, a referral or need help in your area, please use the Contact Form and drop me a note. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your thoughts

Michael Christensen, Founder of Big Apple Circus Clown Care

All eyes will be on Center Ring at AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Wednesday, May 12th 1:00PM EDT, for a very special interview with Michael Christensen, Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Big Apple Circus and Founder of Big Apple Circus Clown Care.  Big Apple Circus Clown Care, acknowledged as the first and original hospital clowning program in the world, was launched in 1986. The program is based on Michael’s desire to provide a unique service to children undergoing treatment in pediatric facilities. He will share his insights on hospital clowning and entertaining in the healthcare setting.

He has taught workshops all over the world in the new profession of hospital clowning, which his work has inspired. He has also lectured to the medical communities of the nation’s major pediatric hospitals. For his work with Clown Care^SM, Michael has received the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award, the Red Skelton Community Service Award, the Golden Nose award from the Northeast Clown Convention, the Parenting Achievement Award from Parenting magazine, and was inducted into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame.

The show airs live at 1:00PM EDT Thursday, May 12th, will be recorded and available for download from the show archive. Tune in for insight and inspiration!

You can set a “show reminder” and listen online here:      http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aheart4clowningtalkradio/2010/05/12/big-apple-circus-clown-care-with-michael-christensen

Listen to the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.

Put your best clown foot forward!

Clown shoes are the finishing touch to a well-designed look. In the hospital or healthcare setting, a costume as well as the shoes should be scaled-down to fit the venue or performance space.

Often in the hospital setting, the majority of entertaining is done on the world’s smallest stage — one-on-one at the patient’s bedside. This means traditional oversized clown shoes are usually inappropriate — possibly even hazardous with the maze of cords, tubes and equipment surrounding the performance area.

There are many ways to put your best clown foot forward – with color and style, while not breaking your piggy bank in doing so! One of the coolest solutions we have found is shopping online with “6pm,” a division of Zappos. They feature an incredible array of shoes and great buys! 

Sneakers and athletic shoe styles offer colorful choices, different styles and prices. Based on our experience, we have found Converse high-tops and regular-style athletic shoes in some amazing colors, designs and combinations to be just the ticket for our clowns and characters.

Hygiene is always a concern in the healthcare setting, so it is important the shoes are also easily washable.

In addition to a great, fresh and fun look, the added benefit to the performer wearing these shoes is comfort. In the hospital, entertainers do a lot of walking on Clown Rounds!

Here is the link for 6pm.com: http://6pm.com

This site is so cool! To help you make a selection, a useful “search” feature helps you narrow your choice down, from their ever-refreshing voluminous inventory!

A Word to the Wise: if you find a shoe you like, be sure to purchase it when you see it. This site features super deals, with the aim to sell, so the inventory moves quickly. Otherwise, you may be disappointed to find the size and style you wanted is no longer available.

How about you? Have you discovered or used a clever way to create clown shoes for your clown or character? Please leave a comment and share with us what you did…

Please NOTE: The “6pm.com”  and “Zappos” websites are NOT an affiliate links. Absolutely NO funds, referral credits or money is generated by your transaction, if you click through. This TIP is provided, with the hope that it is useful information, and heartfelt desire to help equip, the whole reason for this website…

Here is the link for 6pm.com: http://6pm.com

Totally A-M-A-Z-I-N-G inspiring story about Chad Juro’s battle with cancer as a young child, now performing for sick children!

Featured in the series: “Real American Stories.”