Archive for the Category »Hospital Clown Tip «
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 Funny Smile Makerz Kit is for those who want to spread laughter and cheer, while making happy memories for others!
These Funny Smiles are wildly popular leave-behinds. We have been using them for years and years, and just realized they could be enlarged from the art in the kit for some B-I-G FUN!
Several friends have joined the Miles of Smiles Global Quest and have kits, so I wanted to share my surprise discovery!
Join our Global Quest to spread Smiles around the World!
It’s for everyone, and you’re invited 
You can get your own kit and make unlimited Smiles: budurl.com/FunnySmileMakerzKit
"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:
- 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.
- 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?
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…
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