Instructors |
|
||||||||
 |
Since the late 1970's , Steve
"Peachey Keene" Long has been involved in the operation of a
full time business consisting of professional clowning, balloon deliveries and decorating,
retail magic, clowning supplies,and clown prop construction. He has been lecturing on these
subjects at various Clown Conferences and for local groups all across the country since 1985.
Peachey Keene Props is a unique business that Steve created to provide entertainers with the
best foam props available. Since it's creation people from all over the world have been
turning to Peachey for their props. Some notable customers include Warner Bros. (Batman Forever)
Universal Studios (Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams) and many circuses.
Steve has a unique style of teaching that conveys a message that all aspects of Clowning are
important. Whether you are a part time clown for the fun of it or someone who earns a good portion
of your livelihood through clowning, Peachey Keene has something to offer you. Clowns of America International has also honored Steve by appointing him as an "Artist in Residence" for the years 2000 - 2001. |
||||||||
 |
Gerry Giovinco began performing as the cosmic clown, Captain Visual, in 1980. His earliest work was as a caricaturist. In the mid-eighties he discovered balloon art and began twisting balloons for tips in the streets of Philadelphia. He developed other clown skills such as magic, juggling, face painting and stilt walking, and with his wife, Shari (Hoopla the Clown), expanded their performance arenas to private parties, schools, corporate events, amusement parks, malls, resorts, and casinos. Gerry's background as a cartoonist inspired him to look at twisting balloons from a new perspective and he began creating multiple balloon designs of popular cartoon characters. His award-winning designs attracted the interest of other entertainers and in 1992 he self-published seven books that featured his work. He was also invited to write a regular feature for the World Clown Association's publication, "Clowning Around," where his articles appeared regularly for two years. In the mid-nineties Carol Publishing began producing his work. His two most recent popular books, Captain Visual's Big Book of Balloon Art and The Big Book of Balloons, which featured designs for every holiday, were well-packaged and widely distributed on the mass and specialty markets. Gerry began producing videos on balloon sculpting. Two volumes of CAPTAIN VISUAL'S SUPER BALLOON ART SERIES are already completed and he now has plans to convert them to DVD. His most recent creative efforts involving media are the development of this web site and the production of an exciting CGI animation project "Captain Visual's Intergalactic Circus" that features the animation talents of Chris Palmer. | ||||||||
 |
Angel Ocasio has made a name for himself over the past 25 years as a top physical comedian and
clown in the Pacific Northwest. Angel performs and teaches comedy & clowning skills throughout
the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bermuda & Malaysia. He also produces, directs and writes
for variety and vaudeville style shows. Most recently, Angel was hired to produce and direct a
vaudeville show for the Portland Rose Festival Centennial Celebration called “Vaudeville Rose.”
He has appeared on a Disney-NBC made for television movie "A Gift To My Daughter." As a strolling act, he has entertained the audiences for such top performers as Willie Nelson, James Taylor, and John Mayer. On stage he was the opening act for Wayne Newton and Patrick Lamb. Angel was the featured clown for the "Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus," and performed at special events for Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus. He has also entertained at a V.I.P. Cirque du Soleil premiere party for performers & guests in Portland, Oregon. In 2003, Angel was selected as the Clowns of America International “Clown of the Year.” |
||||||||
 |
Cheryl Evans has been performing as a clown since 1986, and uses her humor and talent to bring the message of safety to children through the renowned entertainment of Kawshun "D" Safety Clown! Kawshun’s safety presentations, delivered to more than 20,000 children in Pierce County since 1993, help children focus on safety and violence prevention in a stimulating, engaging and interactive environment. | ||||||||
 |
Alyse "Zig Zag" Axford and Cameron "Ragz" Stewart | ||||||||
 |
Albert Alter is a clown, actor, physical comedian, mime, fire eater, funny guy, and Professional Fool. Albert has toured internationally performing and teaching physical comedy, clown and mime in the United States, Japan, Canada, Cambodia, Cuba and Vietnam. He toured as a clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and helped set up and served as the assistant director of the first Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College Japan in Tokyo, Japan. He has opened for the Smothers Brothers, and has performed in concert with the Oregon Symphony as a clown, mime, physical comedian and holiday elf. | ||||||||
|
|
Trudi "Nellie" Sang has been clowning for the last 17
years. Trudi has a masters in education and has been teaching
preschool to college classes over the past 28 years. The knowledge
and experience with children and youth plays well into clowning.
The specialties that Trudi works with is storytelling and working with a
variety of ages.
Trudi also does a fair bit of her work with clown ministry. Trudi is a parent with James to 4 children who are now experiencing the teen years. The oldest daughter Eliza has performed with Trudi on several occasions. A highlight in clowning was participation in the Clown Ambassador program with C.O.A.I. in Romania and clowning at a or phage with Eliza in Mexico. |
||||||||
 |
Joining us from Portland is one of the most successful women in the arts & entertainment field in the Pacific Northwest. Karen Reinholt is known for her many talents as an entertainer, artist and business woman. She has performed as Peppermint the clown since 1980, is an accomplished fire eater and magician, has run a successful booking agency for 15 years, was a regular columnist for The New Calliope for 8 years, was the Director of Comedifest for 10 years, has written 4 books on Birthday Parties and has worked hard to improve the level of clowning and face art in the Pacific Northwest. She has performed and taught around the U.S. plus Malaysia and has been featured in numerous magazines, most recently in the new Illusion magazine’s July 2007 issue. Together with her painting partner Naomi, Karen hosted the first annual Pac NW Jam this past February which brought in body artists from all across the U.S.; the resulting art is what was featured in Illusion. Her newest venture is a program called Artails which combines face art, comedy and magic to teach children about endangered species for library and school shows. Karen is also the president of Rose City Clown Alley as well as the assistant Competition Director for COAI. | ||||||||
 |
Dori “Toodles” Ballard has over 25 years of clowning experience. She has owned Lakewood Costumes aka, clownshop.com for over 29 years and deals with clowns on a daily basis. Not only dressing them from head to toe, but also providing them with make-up instruction and clowning tips. She
has clowned on her own and has taught several clown classes and also has
judged many clown competitions. She also takes her clownshop.com on the
road to conventions and area clown clubs. |
||||||||
