17 Clown Interview Questions and Answers

A clown’s job is to bring laughter and smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. But before you can start your new career as a clown, you may need to go through a job interview.

One way to prepare for your interview is to learn how to answer clown interview questions. Employers will ask questions to gauge your clowning abilities, as well as your customer service skills and your ability to work with children.

To help you get ready for your interview, we’ve listed clown questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable wearing makeup and costumes?

Employers may ask this question to see if you are comfortable with the physical requirements of being a clown. They want to know that you can put on makeup and costumes, as well as take them off at the end of the day. Your answer should show that you have experience wearing these items and that it is not an uncomfortable process for you.

Example: “I am very comfortable wearing makeup and costumes. In my last position, I was one of two clowns in the circus act. My partner and I had to wear full makeup every night, including different colors of lipstick and eye shadow. We also wore large costumes that were hard to get into and out of. I learned how to apply makeup quickly and efficiently so we could start our performance on time.”

What are some of your favorite clown acts to perform?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience and skills as a clown. You can answer this question by listing some of your favorite acts to perform, along with why you enjoy them.

Example: “I really enjoy performing magic tricks because I find it so fascinating how they work. It’s always fun for me to see the audience members’ reactions when I pull off a trick that seems impossible. Another act I love is juggling, which I’ve been doing since I was a kid. Juggling has become second nature to me, and I’m able to keep several objects in the air at once while entertaining the crowd.”

How would you react if a child was afraid of you while you were performing?

Clowns often interact with children, and the interviewer may want to know how you would react if a child was afraid of your makeup or costume. Use examples from past experiences where you helped calm a frightened child.

Example: “I once performed at a birthday party where one of the kids in attendance was very scared of clowns. I noticed him hiding behind his mother during my performance, so I went over to talk to him after my act. I asked him what he thought about my show and told him that I could tell he was scared. He admitted that he was scared but said he wanted to stay for the rest of the party. I stayed by his side until the end of the event.”

What is your process for developing a new clown act?

Clowns often need to create new acts for their shows. This question helps the interviewer understand your creative process and how you can contribute ideas to a team. Use examples from past experiences to describe your approach to brainstorming, developing concepts and creating unique routines.

Example: “I start by researching current trends in comedy and popular entertainment. I also look at what audiences are responding to most. Then, I think about my own strengths as a performer and what skills I want to develop. For example, I might decide that I want to work on my physical comedy routine or improve my ability to interact with children. From there, I come up with an idea for a routine and practice it until I feel comfortable performing it.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

Clowns often interact with children, and sometimes their parents. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds. They want to know that you can handle difficult situations calmly and professionally. In your answer, try to show that you are good at problem-solving and conflict resolution.

Example: “I once had a child who was afraid of clowns. The mother told me about it before the show started, but I still tried to interact with him during the performance. He would hide behind his mom whenever I got close to him. After the show, I talked to the boy’s mother again. She said she appreciated my efforts, but asked if I could avoid interacting with her son as much as possible. I agreed and spent more time entertaining other kids instead.”

If you were hired to perform at a children’s birthday party, what games or activities would you include?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your creativity and problem-solving skills. In your answer, describe a few games or activities that you would include at the party. Explain how these games or activities help children learn new things while having fun.

Example: “At birthday parties, I always try to incorporate educational elements into my performance. For example, if there are several children who have birthdays within a week of each other, I will teach them how to count down from 10 to one in Spanish. This is something they can use later on in life when they want to communicate with their friends who speak Spanish.”

What would you do if you were in the middle of a performance and one of your costume pieces fell off?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle unexpected challenges. They want to know that you’re able to stay calm and find a solution quickly. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to fix the problem while continuing with your performance.

Example: “If one of my costume pieces fell off during a show, I would first try to fix it as quickly as possible so I could continue performing. If I couldn’t get it back on by myself, I would ask for assistance from another clown or an audience member. Once I fixed the issue, I would thank whoever helped me.”

How well do you know the makeup techniques and special effects used by clowns?

Clowns often use makeup and special effects to create their unique appearance. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary skills to apply your clown makeup correctly. Before your interview, read through the job description to see if there are any specific requirements for applying makeup. If there aren’t, consider practicing with a friend who is also a clown.

Example: “I am very familiar with all of the makeup techniques used by clowns. I’ve been performing as a clown for over 10 years now, so I’ve learned many different ways to apply my makeup. In addition to using traditional makeup brushes, I can also apply makeup with my fingers or even my tongue. I’m also quite skilled at creating special effects like fake blood and bruises.”

Do you have any experience performing in front of large crowds?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience performing in front of large groups. If you have any experience, share it with them and explain how you handled the situation.

Example: “I’ve performed at several birthday parties where there were over 20 kids in attendance. I always made sure to interact with each child individually so that they all felt special. I also used my voice to make sure everyone could hear me clearly. I find that when working with larger crowds, it’s important to be loud enough for everyone to hear but not too loud.”

When performing, how do you make sure to stay in character?

Clowns are often in character, and the interviewer wants to know how you stay in your role. This question also helps them understand what kind of commitment you have to your work. Your answer should show that you can be dedicated to a performance.

Example: “I make sure I am fully committed to my character before going on stage. Before each show, I practice my makeup and costume so I’m ready to go when it’s time for the show. I also take deep breaths before going out into the audience. This helps me get into character by focusing on the fun I will have with the kids.”

We want to make sure our clowns are up-to-date on the latest trends and popular culture. What sources do you use to stay informed about current events?

Clowns need to be able to incorporate current events into their act. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have a passion for staying up-to-date on current events and how you might use that information in your act.

Example: “I love watching late night talk shows, so I usually watch them every night to see what’s going on in the world. I also follow several news outlets on social media to get updates throughout the day. I think it’s important to stay informed about current events because it can help me create more relevant jokes.”

Describe your process for developing a character.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your creative process. They want to know how you apply your creativity and problem-solving skills to develop a character that meets the needs of their organization. In your answer, describe what steps you take when developing a new character. Explain that you consider factors such as audience size, budget and time constraints.

Example: “I start by researching different characters I can create for the event. For example, if I’m working with children, I look at popular cartoon characters they enjoy. If it’s an adult party, I research pop culture figures or celebrities who are relevant to the occasion. Next, I think about the personality traits I can use to make each character unique. Then, I determine which costume pieces I need to complete the look.”

What makes you stand out from other clowns?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want someone who is unique, fun and entertaining. When answering this question, think of a specific skill or talent that makes you stand out from other clowns. You can also mention something that you enjoy doing that others might not do as often.

Example: “I am the only person I know who juggles flaming bowling pins while riding a unicycle. It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser, but it takes years of practice to get good at it. Juggling has helped me develop my hand-eye coordination, which helps me perform other circus tricks like balancing on a tightrope.”

Which other performance arts do you have experience with?

Clowning is a unique role that requires you to be an entertainer, comedian and actor. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with other performance arts. They want to make sure you are qualified for the job. In your answer, list any other skills you have that relate to clowning.

Example: “I also do improv comedy at my local theater. I find it helpful to use some of those same techniques when performing as a clown. For example, in both cases, I need to think quickly on my feet. It’s important to me to keep the audience engaged and laughing throughout the entire show.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of clowning?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for clowning. Your answer should reflect what you find most enjoyable and why.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of clowning is making people laugh. I love seeing the joy on children’s faces when they’re laughing, and it makes me feel so good to know that I’m helping them have fun at the party. Clowning also gives me an opportunity to be silly and creative, which are two things I enjoy doing.”

How often do you perform?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have as a clown. If you are applying for your first job, it’s important to show that you’re willing to work hard and learn from others. Consider mentioning any previous jobs or volunteer experiences in which you performed regularly.

Example: “I perform at birthday parties every weekend during the summer. I also do private events on weekdays when school is in session. In my last position, I was hired by a local hospital to entertain children while they were waiting for their appointments. I enjoy performing for all ages, so this was an enjoyable way to spend my time.”

There is a trend in clowning where performers use dark makeup and scary costumes to frighten children. How do you differentiate yourself from these “scary clowns”?

The interviewer is likely to ask you this question to make sure that you understand the difference between a professional clown and someone who uses their skills for evil. Your answer should show that you are aware of the negative connotations associated with scary clowns, and that you would never use your talents in such a way.

Example: “I have seen some clowns who perform at children’s parties but scare the kids instead of making them laugh. I think it is important to remember that we are entertainers, not monsters. We need to be careful about how we portray ourselves so that we do not give other clowns a bad reputation.”