Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
TOOTING THEIR OWN HORNS — Performing during a clown graduation ceremony Nov. 19 in Oakfield are, from left, Betty “Clarabell” McGary, Paula “Polka Dottie” Lilley and Marilyn “Flower” Carey.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
OAKFIELD — Sending in the clowns just got a little bit easier following the graduation of six individuals from Clown School 101 Nov. 19 at the Oakfield Pentecostal Church.
Taught by Tanya Lawrence of Oakfield, students learned all facets of becoming a clown. Lawrence, who started the local clown troop “County Clowns” in 2008, performed professionally in the New York area for a number of years before returning to Maine.
Those receiving diplomas were Pam Baer, Paula Lilly, Katie Noyes, Marilyn Carey, Beverly Kirk and Becky Bickford.
“The students spent several weeks learning all about costumes, makeup design and application, wardrobe, balloons and safety,” Lawrence said. “The course touches on all the basics and graduates of the class receive a diplomas from Clowns of America International.”
Becoming a clown is not an easy task, nor one that Lawrence takes lightly. Over the two-month course, participants had to find their “inner-character” by coming up with a makeup design and costume that is “in sync” with the personality of that character.
For many, putting on the clown makeup and getting into character is a chance to be a completely different person.
“It’s really more about the heart of the person,” Lawrence said. “It’s not always just the class clown-type that does well at it. A more outgoing person may be better at the stage show aspect, but a more quieter, compassionate person is going to do well in a nursing home or hospital setting.”
Applying makeup can take as much as two hours for the more intricate facial designs.
“If you want to do a quality job, it takes some time,” she said.
To find out more about clowning, contact Lawrence at 757-7776.
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| CRAZY CLOWNS — Posing for a group shot are members of the County Clowns troop, as well as the graduates of the Clowning 101 course offered through the Southern Aroostook Adult Education program. Clowns are, front from left, Crista “Gem” Nelson, Betty “Clarabell” McGary, Lynda “Minnie May” Williams, Megan “Mazzie” Russell, Shirley “Twirley” Drew, Lexi “Razamataz” Noyes and Tanya “Blueberry” Lawrence; and back, Pam “Sweet Petunia” Sanders, Katie “Jazzberry Jam” Noyes, Alberta “Stickee” McDonald, Holly “Bubbles” Markie, Rebekah “Bling” Bickford, Paula “Polka Dottie” Lilley, Marilyn “Flower” Carey, Beverly “Hattie” Kirk and Pam “Sweet Tart” Baer. | WELCOME — Crista “Gem” Nelson welcomes everyone to the show Nov. 19 in Oakfield. |
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| ALL DRESSED UP — Rebkeah “Bling” Bickford rocks an ‘80s-style clown outfit. | MAKEUP! — Holly “Bubbles” Markie looks for some innocent victims for her next clowning trick. |
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| BE A CLOWN — Beverly “Hattie” Kirk, left and Pam “Sweet Tart” Baer perform a skit during the graduation ceremony. | CLASS MARSHALLS — Megan Russell, left, and Lexi Noyes lead the clowns into their graduation ceremony Nov. 19. |
