Write an article based on this "Get your props. Get a clown costume. Put your makeup on. Decide whether you want a sidekick. Plan your show. Add magic to your repertoire (optional). Work on your Slapstick skills. Avoid clown clichés. Rehearse your act."
The materials you use depend on what kind of clown you want to be. However, there are some general props that are used by many clowns, such as balls for juggling, balloons for making balloon animals, magic trick props if you're doing tricks, and any other silly props you can think of. You can start off with the traditional tools and become more original as you discover who your inner clown really is.  Get your music together if it's part of your act.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Part of your act may include putting face paint on children.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  If ventriloquism is part of your act, then get yourself a dummy.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-1Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} You can buy authentic clown costumes from clown suppliers, but they can be a bit pricey, so you can start off with some colorful clothes, Halloween clown costumes, a colorful set of pajamas, or any funny-looking items you can find in a Goodwill or a thrift store. The expensive items can come later, once you are more established, so don't worry about those for now. You'll need a clown costume along with a pair of big, floppy shoes. These shoes can actually be the most expensive part of a clown costume, so try starting off with size 22 Converse or other overly big shoes that you stuff with paper towels at first.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Be-a-Clown-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Be-a-Clown-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Contrary to popular belief, not all clowns wear face paint. Clowning is a style of comedy, not a style of makeup. Most clowns use greasepaint for their faces, since this kind doesn't wash off as easily as water-based paint or Halloween paint. If you do put on makeup, there are a variety of makeup styles you can try:  Whiteface clown paint. This is the traditional face paint that you may think of when you want to look like a clown.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Auguste clown paint. This type of clown wears makeup that is a bit more flesh-toned.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Tramp or hobo clown paint. This face paint is a bit darker and sooty looking, because this type of clown is down on his luck.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet3.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Character clown paint. What kind of clown do you want to be? Mad scientist? Keystone cop clown? Your character will determine the color and style of makeup you use.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet4.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-3Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Most clowns work for themselves, but some of them are part of a duo, a trio, or even an entertainment company. If you want a sidekick, or if you want to be a sidekick, then see if you can find a clown friend to buddy up with. If you do, think about performance partner and what your relationships are to the audience. Thinking about status may be a good start. Get an idea for major comedy points you want to include, and work out the lead-up and other parts of the comedy. Thinking about problems that need addressing can be a good start e.g a hat that won't stay on your head , or a music stand that keeps falling over. A twist at the end may help, as can thinking about the rule of three (e.g mistake, mistake, success) in an unexpected way. It's almost like a play. If you're so minded, script your act before rehearsal! Here are some things clowns often include in their shows:  Making balloon animals    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Miming    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Juggling    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet3.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Storytelling    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet4.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Ventriloquism    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet5.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet5.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Jokes    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet6.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet6.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-5Bullet6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you want to be more of a magician-clown, then you'll need to work on learning some easy magic tricks and work your way up to being a magician all-star. Check out the variety of Magic articles on wikiHow, or take a course in magician training, if you're really serious about this aspect of the job. Just remember that if you want to be a magician clown, you'll need more props, such as a top hat, wand, flashy handkerchief, and so on, and it could get costly. If you want to use slapstick - practice - there is almost nothing less funny than slapstick done badly. The best comedy will try to emulate some real life, such as talking about bosses, home life, and other things people can connect with. try to include jokes about things the likely audience will understand and appreciate! There is nothing a clown has to do. Unless you have a twist on the obvious, you should try to avoid the most obvious clowning tricks if you want to be successful. Here are some moves that you should generally stay away from:  Slipping on banana skins    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Falling over    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet2.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Chasing your sidekick around    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet3.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Getting soaked in buckets of water    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet4.jpg\/aid473779-v4-728px-Be-a-Clown-Step-8Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Once you have your act together, you've scripted it and acquired the necessary tools, start practising. An ability to time the jokes just right, and the ability to make a smooth recovery if something goes wrong, is essential. First, try your act on your own and tape yourself to see how you can improve. Then, work your moves on a trusted friend. Open it up to your family or small group of children and see how you do.