Tag-Archive for » Hospital Clown Training «
Developing a character, clown or family entertainer persona is an ongoing process, with many interconnected considerations. First and foremost, it must come from within. The very essence of ‘being’ must be firmly-rooted from somewhere. If not, the character is so wispy and thinly-veiled, it seems more like a tumbleweed than a believable being to have fun and share a lighter moment with, in reality.
Structure for the character and performance comes in developing skill sets, while increasing knowledge base and understanding of the medium, message and venue. This is accomplished with ongoing education through books, multimedia, programs and conferences. A broad spectrum is recommended for the greatest Big Picture View, but care should be taken so as not to become weighted down or confused by “information overload.” This condition is caused by piling on more and more great good learning, with the frequent side effect of inertia and missed opportunities.
Many sources of tremendous information abound, but a plan of action will help anyone who wants to learn more about our special work that looks like play, to grow, develop and be able to provide maximum positive impact.
Goal setting is recognized as an effective means to develop, effect change and accomplish great things. This same strategy should apply in growing, learning and further expanding a character as well as a performance.
As for new things to learn, mind-reeling possibilities are endless. Just thinking about them gives the sugar-buzz feel of a kid set loose in a candy shop! Begin making your plan by listing out the aspects or areas you would like to explore. Let your mind run freely — it is hard to contain creativity, afterall… and why would you? Resist the urge to limit yourself, thinking you could “never do” something, or it would for some reason seem “unreasonable.” In this step, you are simply brainstorming with yourself, and laying out lots of ideas to consider.
Next: Using your list
Now Available!
Just released, “There’s a Clown in My Soup” video is a ‘Best Practices’ EduTrainment Clown Rounds module especially for hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers.
Presented to integrate universal concepts for performers in the healthcare venue, this program makes effective learning enjoyable in a fresh, fun and new, memorable way.
No more ‘talking heads’, drab, dull or boring training sessions with this program! Instead, a sugar-coated, humorous presentation of: 21 Key Questions Every Healthcare Family Entertainer should be able to answer…
Details are included for registering product purchase to receive “Clown Soup” Facilitator Guide, Participant Question Booklet and corresponding Answer Sheet for this training program.
Click on this link (here) for more information about this new ‘Best Practices’ EduTrainment Video for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns and Healthcare Family Entertainers…
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?
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.
The overall purpose of training hospital/caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers is to build a knowledge base for greater understanding of the art — the soil from which great things sprout, seeded by the True Clown’s Heart:
To offer hands-on experiential or physical tutelage, and practice, with an end-result, a product or something tangible that can be seen or in some way experienced.
It is important that the purpose of training be fully defined, clearly understood, and accepted by all parties involved, including the hosting healthcare facility. Training for healthcare venue performers is ongoing, so dedication and energy devoted to that end is necessary.
Often folks think it is an endearing idea to establish a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer group. The mere thought of introducing others to the fascinating world of clowning and performing is exciting! But after the initial elation wears off, energies and imagination begins to wane. Following not too long afterward, the group often disbands. It’s a shame.
The purpose, rationale and necessity of training are not only to train, equip and prepare team members, but also to:
- Inspire creativity in developing routines, schticks, tricks, bits, and to improve!
- Encourage exploration of out-of-the-box thinking.
- Provide necessary skills sets and essential information.
- Fuel a true understanding of the venue, aspect and realm within which the team performs.
- Foster a better understanding of purpose for appearances and entertaining.
- Engender team effort in the process.
- Develop increased competency.
In addition to meeting facility requirements, there are many reasons a training program should be established and implemented on an ongoing basis for a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer group. The rationale is closely linked to the determined purpose or desired goal, giving rise to the necessity of training.
There are 3 main types of training:
1. Required: Offered by the hosting healthcare facility, includes healthcare facility orientation, covering hand washing, HIPPA regulations, explanation of facility policies and procedures, relevant to this particular group.
2. Ongoing: With the goal of keeping the group current, competent and coming on Rounds! Time needs to be invested in dedicated individuals to help them make the best use of their own unique gifts and abilities.
3. Special: Like an ‘elective’ component in a training program, this may be offered to learn a skill, idea, more about a topic, a make-and-take item that enhances the learning experience, enlarges the territory of knowledge, and encourages creativity.
Training is critical, and key to be sure group members understand how to perform best in the healthcare setting. Effective training should be ongoing. While ‘on-the-job training’ is effective, follow-up intensives that focus on reviewing concepts and technique in a concentrated manner, help to keep a team on the right track.
There are many different components that comprise necessary preparation for performing in the healthcare venue, each with particular goals. By applying them in different ways, a training program can be more robust and dynamic, often playing to the skills desired to be developed.
Beginning this week, we will be presenting a series of articles on training a hospital or caring clown group, including family entertainers performing in the healthcare venue.