Archive for the Category »Hospital Clown «
Performers sometimes must change their tune!
By the nature of their performance venue, hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers must be versatile and quick on their feet. The personality traits of these special entertainers embody the true heart of a performer, with care and compassion for their audience.
The joy-filled interlude from a patient’s present situation at it’s best, usually appears spontaneous and sometimes even random. It may be spur-of-the-moment, or well-rehearsed, incorporating a number of possible outcomes with different avenues that may be taken. At final bow, the end result of the mini-production is always a special presentation just for that audience.
Sometimes further performer versatility is required by the venue itself, due to new regulations, procedures or newly-discovered potential risks. In case of of Swine Flu, new procedures were adopted at some facilities, while others cancelled Rounds until the epidemic was over. Either scenario causes a change in operations and modus operandi, doesn’t it?
In the case of new procedures or regulations, hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers usually have to adapt their act or performance to conform. This change sometimes causes a major revision in the actual presentation, to fall within the prevailing guidelines. All segments of a presentation may have to be reworked or retooled accordingly to comply.
Hospital clowning is known to be one of the most difficult disciplines, due to the great number of regulations and restrictions surrounding the performer’s very existence in the setting. A performer in the healthcare venue has to be versatile in relation to the audience as well as to the setting in which they entertain. None of the conditions, observers nor the environment are ever set.
When a change in procedure or protocol causes an entertainer to revise their performance, this gives them an opportunity to become more proficient in the art, to develop a new presentation, and to become more professional in the process.
Facility policy changes may require a healthcare performer to review their act and rewrite accordingly.
The challenge — and the benefit is actually 3-fold:
- Performance must comply with the newly-mandated practice or procedure parameters
- Presentation must effectively deliver entertainment and humor to the intended audience
- Performer learns a new method or means to produce and present in a fresh, new way
As synonymous with the concept of “change,” sometimes entertainers get stuck in a rut and want to avoid revising their act. This stunts their development as a professional, keeping them fresh and learning ongoing, and withholds the needed relief and refreshment they could otherwise offer.
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?
Clowns exist to entertain, and in doing so, freely offer joy-filled wonder and exploration to discover the possibilities that exist amongst all of us.
What a blessing and a privilege for hospital clowns or caring clowns to do the important work we get to do. It may be to share only a brief moment… a light-hearted exchange, sometimes merely sharing a quiet presence offered as a means to break the monotony, or a peace-full interruption of unceasing pain for a patient.
Hospital clowns and caring clowns take their funny biz very seriously, as they spread contagious laughter, cheer, mirth and merriment wherever the meandering path may lead. As they cheer the patients, visitors and staff, hospital clowns not only do the important work of sharing healing humor, but also make friends and memories with children of all ages, all along their merry way!
Special moments leave heartprints long after the event. As for clowns on rounds, many experiences leave indelible prints on their collective clown hearts. Countless memorable moments happen during hospital visitations. The patients, visitors and staff often share how much they enjoyed the performance. Even when a patient is unable to express appreciation in a way that might be discernable by most, we get the message – from their heart to ours.
We feel immeasurably blessed.
Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Through Hospital Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers and Applied Humor Therapists takes Heart, Dedication and Training but NOT a degree or special certification.
Miles of Smiles: Becky Cortino
Having been performing before mostly captive audiences since 1997 in the healthcare setting, I have often enjoyed connecting with like-minded others involved in grassroots organizations. Our facilities differ, but one thing I have learned is our concerns and focus are very similar. There is much to learn and share!
Just prior to writing my first book on establishing a hospital clown or family entertainer group, I met many clowns and family entertainers who expressed their heartfelt desire to do what I am fortunate to get to do every month — cheer patients! This fueled my drive to get that book written, to help others set up a group in their hospital or area.
After I finished writing the first book, my mission became clear and is very simple: I want to help further clown arts and humor programs in hospitals and healthcare settings globally. Together, we are doing that – but I strive to encourage it on a much broader scale than what we are currently doing.
How to do this? In 2008, I established 2 active groups on Facebook and am building community in our specialty. Now, I am also asking for a bit of help — but just a little bit 
Please take our short Hospital Clown/Healthcare Performer Survey to tell us what you think, 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.
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…
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 
As a precautionary measure to combat the spread of H1N1 (also known as the Swine Flu), new policies and procedures are being put into place in healthcare facilities worldwide.
This has impacted hospital visitations for those in the Applied Humor Therapy venue:
- Some hospitals have banned or suspended hospital clown group visits for this season
- Some hospitals have amended visitation policies, but allowed clown visits to continue
For those who are currently not making Clown Rounds due to temporary suspension of these visits, it is difficult to have to sit on the sidelines for an unknown period of time.
However, this bit of extra time and space gives hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers the opportunity to explore new dimensions and learn new skills! Some well-worn props in need of repair, or to be refreshed are waiting for attention. Maybe time and effort could now be lavished on that dream routine or must-have accoutrement waiting to be invented?
For those hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers who are fortunate enough to continue their Clown Rounds, the heightened awareness of potential infection, coupled with the associated stringent institutional policies, provide new opportunities for Applied Humor Therapists to rise to a greater level of professionalism in their performances.
Finding new ways to spread laughter and cheer and not infection in their entertainment bits, fine-tuning presentation by making one-on-one time with each patient more meaningful, and staying healthy in the process are all possible, with renewed emphasis on best practices and hygiene protocol.
Either condition for the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer require the Applied Humor Therapist to not be swept away by the situation, but rather think outside the box — to their next step.
Such is always the case for those of us who make Clown Rounds, but this time our efforts are reframed with a new focus. This is an opportunity for increased professionalism on all counts. It is an epidemic opportunity!
How about you? Have new policies been established in your hosting healthcare facility? Have they affected your entertaining or visitations in any way? Please leave a comment and let us know…
Recently, I did a series on ”We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?” My response to that question is based on the premise for any hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer’s reason for being in the venue — the focus should be on the audience only, one-on-one on the patient.
By watching the patient moment-to-moment, gauges how long your performance is going to be, within an allotted amount of time. However, there are so many more factors to consider. Experience comes into play (pun intended!), and helps the seasoned healthcare performer to know when to pack up the show and thank the audience.
My years of experience in hospital clowning since 1997, have fine-tuned my internal timer. No matter where I may be in the well-rehearsed performance or with the patient, when the allotted time is reached, I bid them farewell. There’s no avoiding it — just like a pop-up timer!
Still the question remains in the minds of so many: “We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?”
I have to laugh, because I know it is asked with the purest of intentions of the heart. In a recent conversation on this topic with a very experienced clown friend whose friendship I cherish, and advice I treasure, my friend answered this so well. “Leave them always wanting more.”
Ah, truer words n’er were spoken – true Clown Wisdom from the heart!
So, the question remains, is it true – ”We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?”
Based on the premise for any hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer’s reason for being in the venue, with the focus on the audience one-on-one on the patient, my answer is: yes.
Some gasp and are probably thinking this is the cruelest answer I could give. Really? When would you rather thank your audience who lies in such a vulnerable position, and so kindly welcomes you, the complete stranger into their room, in the midst of their sickness, suffering or painful condition?
Based upon my experience since performing regularly in this realm, I would rather leave my audience happy and smiling — my goal — than worn out and grimacing with pain. Conditions can quickly change while you are in the midst of your performance or act, and you must be attuned to that situation second-by-second.
I would rather leave my special audience with happy memories of our time together, and a joyful experience, in the midst of the monotony and possible anxiety-ridden atmosphere that existed just prior to my entering their room.
I would rather entertain with my audience one-on-one, on the world’s smallest stage in a world debut of a one-time-only performance, never ever to be repeated again — and leave that as a special heart-memory for them.
My intention would be to entertain them with the tightest act possible, leaving little space to let them slip back to where they were before I arrived, and to quickly depart when I felt my time was up on that stage. Wearing out one’s welcome can come all-too quickly, and most unexpectedly. Staying past one’s due sometimes causes the patient to feel worse, because they appreciate your being there, but feel they are chasing you out. We are there to help them feel better!
“We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?” Absolutely. That is the perfect time!
Leave them with a smile on their face and a song in their heart!
My answer remains a question, “Why are you here?” If you are here for the patient, to play before them on the world’s smallest stage — one-on-one, and you see you have created a pleasurable experience for your audience, have you not reached your goal?
Sticking with the theatrical allusion – everyone remembers with snickers, the performer who remains steadfast on the stage far too long, and the stage manager grabs the “hook” and pulls the entertainer off. In the hospital setting, most likely there is no stage manager with a hook. This means you must rely upon your own sensitivity to the patient’s ever-changing condition and ability to take in your performance. Your focus must remain upon the patient.
Even if you have a rehearsed or somewhat ‘canned’ performance, you must learn to know when to pack it up and bid your audience adieu. It is different with each patient, based on their condition, situation and individual ability to meet you in the small theatre for a moment in time. For this reason, it is far better to entertain playing off and with the patient, rather than repeating your schtick each and every room, throughout Rounds. It keeps it fresh for the entertainer, and it personalizes the bit for the audience!
I have observed clowns and family entertainers whose primary experience is in performing skits and full shows have difficulty with this. They are accustomed to performing their segment, and seeing it to completion, because the punch line, the lesson, or some conclusion is at the other end. In the healthcare setting, we may not get to “the other end,” in order to complete that adventure. Thus, the time spent in performance becomes fragmented, is less personalized for the patient, and no doubt the entertainer becomes frustrated.
The primary reason this form of performance does not work effectively on Rounds, is because that type of entertainment is geared for a controlled environment, not the prevailing “in-the-moment” setting in the healthcare venue. The other related reason is that in such a mode of performing, the entertainers often are mechanical in form, concentrating more on what they are doing than on the audience. I have seen some entertainers perform almost as if they are wind-up dolls, pulling every sight gag out from every pocket in every room they visit. This is not hitting the mark.
So, is it true – ”We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?”
Next: The rationale for my Answer, based on my hospital clowning experience since 1997…
Recently, I was asked by another hospital clown about ‘when’ the proper time was to depart from a patient’s room. “We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?”
My answer is a question, “Why are you here?” While my asking this may at first seem unclear, your answer tells all.
Some folks will respond that they are here because they want to serve others, or they feel led to come and ease another’s pain and suffering. Both noble causes, to be sure.
Some are true entertainers at heart, and want to share their gifts and talents with others, for their enjoyment. In the process, it is hoped that the patient’s pain and suffering will ease at least a bit, for that moment in time.
Some want to be part of a dedicated group of like-minded folk who want to serve in a significant way, and so they come.
All are perfectly wonderful reasons, with pure-hearted motivations for spreading laughter, cheer and entertaining patients in the hospital. However, none of them are “Why you are here.”
You see, the reason we are in the hospital or healthcare setting in the first place is the patient. If the patients were not there, as hospital clowns or healthcare family entertainers, we would not be there, either. The patient is our primary audience, our true reason for “being there.”
Our mission is to do nothing more than to cheer the patients through a gentle presence, as a means of taking their mind off their current health condition or painful situation. Patients are always the primary focus during visitations. Success is measured if only for just a second, after entering a patient’s room they can forget or not think about their situation, through your intervention.
Spreading laughter and cheer in a healthcare setting is no joke. It is not about being silly, wild, over-the-edge or uncontrolled in any way. It is intentionally acting with focused effort to accomplish the important work set before the clown or healthcare family entertainer.
Sizing up the audience, including the patient’s condition and alertness, is the second rule of the day on Rounds. Analyzing the environment in the room also plays an important part in determining performance – are there visitors? What is the mood in the room? Sometimes, a gentle presence is enough, with a smile and a wave, to brighten a patient’s day. Sometimes that is all the energy they may have to take in what is offered.
A healthcare family entertainer or hospital clown must continue to watch the patient, for signs of their growing drowsy or possibly experiencing pain or nausea. Often a patient will valiantly put their best face forward upon your entering their room, but then slip into a state that does not allow them the ability to take in the performance as a participant. All of these factors impact your performance or interaction with the patient.
Every patient’s reaction varies to the gift of your heart to them, and most “welcomes” are as different as each individual visited. The bottomline of the mission is accomplished through the simple act of being there — entertaining one-on-one, injecting healing humor with the greatest of care, and provoking smiles, laughter and cheer…
But still begs the question, “We shouldn’t leave while the patient is still enjoying us, should we?”
Next: My Answer…