Gospel clown ministry

“But God hath chosen the foolish things in the world to confound the wise”
1 Corinthians 1:27

Clowns have a childlike innocence that sees everything as new and exciting. Clowns are beings that reflect God’s unconditional love receiving no reward more valuable than a smile. Clowns speak the universal language of love...the unspoken poetry of the heart.

Just as Christ taught through parables, clowns teach through storylines. Parables break down our defensive walls and allow us to laugh at our weaknesses and faults, perhaps learning a lesson, too.

Classic Clown Types


Classic Whiteface	Comedy Whiteface	Auguste	Tramp

The Whiteface is the oldest, most intelligent and most familiar of the clowns. The whiteface clown is the ringleader, who will order around the other clowns, and who has his 'clownishness' revealed either by his own ineptness or by that of his underling. The make-up of the whiteface can be subtle as in a harlequin or exaggerated if a comedy (called grotesque) whiteface. The tradition costume of a whiteface clown is a one-piece outfit, which can be very elegant or outlandish, depending on the clown's character. Bozo and Ronald McDonald are grotesque whiteface clowns.

The Auguste (pronounced aw-goose) is the least intelligent, zaniest and most adored of the clowns. The word means fool in German. Make-up and movements are exaggerated. The make-up of the auguste starts with a flesh tone base. The costume is exaggerated a tiny hat, oversized coat, big shoes, etc. Steve Urkel from “Family Matters,” with big suspenders, colorful clothes, “high water” pants and large glasses is a good example of the auguste.

The Tramp either assumes a "down-on-his-luck" approach to life or has more of a "care-free" attitude. His costume appears tattered and torn, and things do not go well for him. Make-up has a skin-tone base and can include a 5 o’clock shadow (for males). Red Skelton’s “Freddie the Freeloader” and Carol Burnett's washwoman character are classic examples.

Other clown characters include “keystone” cops, hayseeds and other goofy types that are defined more by costume than by make-up.

Choosing a Clown Character

What kind of clown do you want to be? Do you want to be high energy or slow moving? Are you the joker or the fool? Perhaps you are a gentle clown that hands out candy and balloons. Will you speak or be silent? Some clowns are shy and others are bold, still others are childlike. Some clowns choose to be silent only doing symbolic worship routines as part of church services. Others use slapstick, physical comedy and circus routines. These decisions will drive your choice of makeup, costume and props.

Your character can come from you own personality. You can overstress a mannerism or take on a characteristic that is unlike you. A prop or costume can spark your imagination and even suggest a name. It may take some experimenting to develop your character. Change it and adjust it as often as you need to until it becomes you alter ego.


	North Central Region