How do you make anit freeze? Take away her nightgown! Sorry I couldn’t pass that up.
We are not talking about ways to pack up the show for the winter but ideas to keep busy in the winter months. If you are a clown, painter or do other types of family entertainment it is no secret that with winter comes the slow season. We are left out in the cold pushed aside for holiday shopping, school musicals and other preparations for the season. While some of this is expected there are ways to still get some bookings for the winter months, it just takes a little creativity on our parts.
Santa’s little helpers:
We discussed last year how many clowns turn to doing Santa, Mrs. Claus and even an elf character to get them work at least through Christmas. If this is not your bag what else could you do? I met a clown recently who had a great idea and allowed me to share it with you. This person loves crafts and always enjoyed making hand made gifts for the family with her children. She turned this into a marketable gig for the holidays. She advertises the event as a Santa workshop, providing fun for the kids while they assemble a holiday craft kit, like decorate and ornament or stocking. Her costume is simply slacks, a festive color top, craft apron and Santa hat. This was so glue and paint would not ruin a nice clown outfit, also it is not a distraction as she instructs the children. While the children work away she tells fun Christmas stories many of which are base on her own children. She also rents table space at holiday craft shows where not only can she do the hands on crafts but also advertise her other talents like clowning and face paining. This is one of the most clever ideas of have seen and I may try this myself. One big tip our friend shared was to shop the craft stores after the Christmas season for good deals on kits for the next year’s shows.
Theme your own act:
We also can also look to adding winter and holiday themes to our existing line up with a little creative thinking. We have quite a few wintry face paint kits and stencils and some ho magic that can fit a winter theme too.
Tippy and Rustopher have an entire holiday themed magic show; the usual fun and magic is mixed with things like red and green D’ lites for a Christmas light effect and the snowstorm.
So don’t get the winter blues, as you see there are ways to keep the show going. Put on that thinking cap and find some ideas to market your talents for a the winter and holiday season.