Hello all my friends.
I sit in my train car writing you after the first full day of rehearsal. My day
started at 6:30am when I got up and had breakfast in the "pie car". The only
food available is junk food. I do not have access to a kitchen as of yet. For
the first time (well since I was 12 any way) I don't have a kitchen in my
life. I will assemble one as soon as things quiet down and I get a bit of time
to go shopping. A kitchen in a Ringling train car (for the first of May's
(first year performers) and second year clowns that is. The other acts have
different situations. The Mongolians have a kitchen in their car and the high
skill acts and 3 or 4 year performers have larger rooms with kitchens in them.)
consists of a crockpot and a hot plate. I am also going to buy a rice cooker,
an electric water kettle, and a French press. I love my coffee you know. So
right now food is a bit disheartening. But don't fret I will survive! We
started work at 8am and worked until 8:30pm. We had warm up and stretch at
8:15, (we started late because one of the clowns overslept, oops) then a
production meeting at 8:30 with the clowns. At 9:30 we had another production
meeting with the entire cast. After the meeting the clowns put on their make up
and the older clowns their costumes, which we had to show the director and
producers for approval. Then we met with the costume designers to propose our
ideas for our agent suit (our clown costumes). I am proposing a Zoot suit for
my agent suit. I want orange baggy pin striped pants, a yellow pin striped
jacket and an orange fedora with a yellow band, a yellow feather and orange and
yellow wing tipped clown shoes. I also ordered orange and yellow wing tipped
shoes with soft leather soles that match my proposed costume for slack rope. My
character is named "Pachuco". Then we broke for lunch at 1pm (guess what they
served, junk food). After lunch we had rehearsal with the entire cast. We
focused on the fanalie and it took from 2 until 6pm. Then we broke for dinner
(more junk food, oh boy!). From 7 to 8:30 we
o highs (for those who don't know, a two high is when one person stands on
another person's shoulders). Both of these acts will be in the beginning of
the show during 'the all access pre-show'. Then we all piled into the van
(Ringling rented a van for the clown's so we can do our running around, isn't
that nice?) and came back to the train. I was SO glad to return. I am
exhausted. I showered, drank a beer and wrote this letter. Soon I will be
asleep, ZZZZZZZ!
Yesterday we moved into the train and had introduction meetings. Three hours of
video and lecture on train safety, train yard safety, Ringling history and all
the do's and don't's of Ringling life. After all the new hire paperwork and
a TB shot (so we don't get the elephants sick). We had a meeting about all the
do's and don'ts' in clown alley. There are allot of rules, go figure. All
the meetings took from 2pm to 6pm. After that time we where let go. Most of the
clowns returned to the train. A few of us (including me, in fact it was my
idea) stayed at the warehouse (we are rehearsing the show in a warehouse) and
worked out a bit. Stretching, handstands and passing clubs. I also spent some
time on my unicycle (that I can't ride, yet). Then we did some grocery
shopping and returned to the train car where I unpacked and tried to find
places to store all my stuff, mostly books and art supplies. I couldn't sleep
last night, I had too much energy with all the excitement of being here and
processing all the new information. I will sleep tonight though. In fact I am
going to sleep right now.
This is going to be one hell of a year and the beginning of my life as a circus
clown. Oh boy, I pulled it off!
Stay tuned for my continuing adventures.
Love to you all, ~n8.
P.S My mailing address is: (removed) PALMETTO, FL.