Festival Clown Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the dynamic world of entertainment, the role of festival clowns has never been more essential.

As festival season comes into full swing, the demand for vibrant personalities who can captivate, entertain, and secure the festive spirit is rapidly growing.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a festival clown?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the essence of this role,
• A festival organizer searching for the perfect entertainer,
• Or simply curious about the intricate world of festival clowns,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we reveal a customizable festival clown job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or event websites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Festival Clown Duties and Responsibilities

Festival Clowns provide entertainment and laughter to various audiences at festivals or events.

They often create unique routines or performances, which may involve magic tricks, juggling, balloon twisting, and other forms of amusement.

The duties and responsibilities of a Festival Clown include:

• Developing and performing entertaining routines for audiences of all ages
• Applying makeup and costumes to transform into the clown character
• Interacting with the audience, often involving them in the performance
• Performing tricks such as juggling or magic to entertain the crowd
• Creating balloon animals, hats, and other shapes to hand out to children
• Ensuring all performances are safe for both the performer and audience
• Maintaining a professional and positive image even while in character
• Traveling to various festivals and events for performances
• Assisting with event set-up and tear-down as required
• Attending rehearsals and training to improve skills and learn new tricks

 

Festival Clown Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Festival Clown to entertain and engage our festival audience.

The Festival Clown’s responsibilities include creating and performing routines, interacting positively with festival attendees of all ages, and adhering to all safety protocols.

Our ideal candidate is comfortable performing in front of large crowds, possesses a great sense of humor, and has a keen understanding of physical comedy.

Ultimately, the Festival Clown’s role is to provide high-quality, entertaining, and engaging performances that create memorable experiences for festival attendees.

 

Responsibilities

• Create and perform engaging routines for festival attendees
• Interact positively with attendees, particularly children
• Adhere to all safety and performance guidelines
• Collaborate with other performers to create cohesive performances
• Participate in costume and makeup preparation
• Be prepared to perform improvisational comedy as necessary
• Handle props and equipment carefully and responsibly
• Represent the festival professionally and positively

 

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a professional clown or performer
• Comfortable performing in front of large audiences
• Exceptional sense of humor and understanding of comedy
• Excellent physical condition, able to perform physical comedy and routines
• Ability to work well in a team
• Experience with improvisational comedy a plus
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• First Aid and CPR certification is a plus

 

Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Opportunity to travel and perform at various festivals
• Fun and dynamic work environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Health insurance

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Festival Clown
• Work Environment: Outdoor festivals, carnivals, and events. Travel is often required.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Festival Entertainment Director.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: Variable depending on the event and location
• Location: Various festivals, carnivals, and events
• Employment Type: Part-time/Contract
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our team. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience, and a video of one of your performances to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Festival Clown Do?

Festival Clowns are a specialized group of performers who entertain audiences in various festivities, carnivals, and events.

Their primary responsibility is to bring joy and laughter to attendees, especially children, through comedic performances, skits, and clown antics.

They often use a combination of physical humor, slapstick comedy, magic tricks, and funny anecdotes to engage their audience.

Festival clowns are also skilled in performing various circus skills such as juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, and balloon modeling, depending upon the requirements of their particular role or event.

Some festival clowns might also use face painting or temporary tattoo application to interact with event-goers, offering these services as additional forms of entertainment.

Festival clowns are also responsible for maintaining their clown persona throughout the event, which often includes wearing vibrant and exaggerated costumes, colorful makeup, and oversized shoes.

Lastly, they need to ensure their performances are suitable for all age groups present, adapting their act to suit the crowd, while always prioritizing safety and respect towards their audience.

 

Festival Clown Qualifications and Skills

A festival clown should have the skills and qualifications that align with the unique requirements of this role, such as:

• Excellent physical agility and coordination for performing acrobatics, juggling, or various physical comedic acts.
• Artistic abilities for creating and applying clown makeup, as well as designing and making costumes.
• Interpersonal skills to interact positively with a wide variety of people, especially children, to create an enjoyable environment.
• Humor and creativity to develop and perform entertaining routines and skits.
• Ability to manage stressful situations, such as large crowds or loud noises, with patience and professionalism.
• Communication skills to engage audiences, interact with fellow performers, and respond to inquiries from festival organizers.
• Customer service skills for professional interactions with festival attendees and to address any concerns or complaints.
• Resilience and stamina to perform for long periods, often in outdoor settings and varying weather conditions.

 

Festival Clown Experience Requirements

Clowns aspiring to work at festivals typically train at accredited clown or performance art schools, where they acquire substantial theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the arts of comedy, mime, juggling, and balloon animal creation, among others.

Many clowns often gain initial experience by volunteering at community events, children’s parties, or local performances.

This real-life experience enables them to handle various audiences and situations and is highly valued by festival organizers.

Festival clowns with 2 to 3 years of experience are expected to have honed their skills and developed a unique character or theme, which is essential in captivating and entertaining large festival crowds.

They may also have experience in other facets of performance arts like magic, acrobatics, or puppetry.

Clowns with more than 5 years of experience usually have a solid reputation in the industry and may have experience performing at large scale events or festivals.

They may also have proven experience in managing their own show or event, showcasing their leadership skills and professionalism.

Furthermore, seasoned festival clowns may also have teaching experience, having guided and mentored novices in the field, highlighting their ability to work in a team or collaborative setting.

 

Festival Clown Education and Training Requirements

While there are no formal education requirements for becoming a festival clown, a high school diploma or equivalent is often beneficial.

Prospective clowns often take clowning or performance art courses at community colleges, clown schools, or workshops.

These courses help them to understand the art of clowning, to build a character, and to learn skills like juggling, magic tricks, balloon twisting, mime, acrobatics and improvisation.

Many aspiring clowns also gain performance experience through participating in community theater or doing volunteer work at parties or community events.

Some festival clowns may also choose to pursue certification from organizations like the World Clown Association or the Clowning Hall of Fame.

These certifications often involve coursework and a performance evaluation, and they can provide a competitive edge in the field.

Aside from formal training, successful festival clowns are typically physically fit, creative, have a good sense of humor, and are able to connect with a wide range of audiences.

They also need to be comfortable with performing in front of large groups and dealing with unexpected situations.

 

Festival Clown Salary Expectations

The average wage for a festival clown is $44,000 (USD) per year.

Earnings can fluctuate based on a number of factors, including experience, the size and frequency of festivals, location, and the employing entertainment company.

 

Festival Clown Job Description FAQs

What skills does a festival clown need?

Festival clowns should have excellent interpersonal skills to interact with different types of audiences, especially children.

They should be able to perform physical comedy and possess strong improvisational skills.

In addition, they should have a variety of skills such as juggling, balloon twisting, face painting, stilt walking, and magic tricks.

Basic makeup and costume skills are also essential.

 

Do festival clowns need any specific qualifications?

No formal qualifications are required to become a festival clown, but many clowns have undergone training courses or apprenticeships to hone their skills.

Some may even have a background in theatre or performance arts.

The most important aspect is to have a genuine passion for entertaining and bringing joy to others.

 

What should you look for in a festival clown resume?

Look for experience in performing, especially in front of large crowds.

Candidates should be able to engage with audiences of all ages and adapt their performances as necessary.

Training in clowning or performance arts can be a plus.

If the candidate has a specialty, such as magic or juggling, they should mention it on their resume.

 

What qualities make a good festival clown?

A good festival clown is able to entertain and engage audiences, especially children.

They should be adaptable, creative, and energetic.

A positive attitude and a good sense of humor are also important.

They should be comfortable wearing costumes and makeup, and be able to perform in various weather conditions.

 

Is it difficult to hire festival clowns?

Hiring a festival clown can be challenging, as it requires finding someone who is not only skilled in clowning but also has a genuine passion for entertaining.

As most festivals take place outdoors, candidates must be willing to work in various weather conditions.

Additionally, they need to be able to handle the high-energy environment of a festival.

 

Conclusion

So there you have it.

Today, we’ve given you a peek behind the mask of what it truly means to be a festival clown.

And guess what?

It’s not just about juggling balls or making balloon animals.

It’s about spreading joy and laughter, one giggle at a time.

With our trusty festival clown job description template and real-world examples, you’re fully equipped to leap into the world of fun.

But why just juggle when you can pirouette?

Delve deeper with our job description generator. It’s your next step to creating spot-on listings or honing your resume to absolute fun-perfection.

Remember:

Every chuckle you inspire is part of a larger picture.

Let’s paint that picture. Together.

How to Become a Festival Clown (Complete Guide)

Goodbye Stress, Hello Success: Jobs That Promise a Calm Workspace

Beyond the Desk: Unusual Jobs That Take You Places

The Flex Phenomenon: Careers That Break the Time Barrier

The Office Outcasts: The Most Hated Jobs You’ll Want to Avoid