Reader Rip Claassen, a true Renaissance Man and good friend (Full Disclosure: Rip has costumed several of my shows, and is a director for The American Century Theater, where I serve as Artistic Director), also something of a historian on comedy and performance art, contributes this to the discussion of what the media is now calling “Clowngate,” contributes this, the Clown Code of Ethics.
Here is his useful Comment of the Day for all you clowns, on the post, Ethics Dunce: Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas):
“As a clown and a Republican, I am offended. The art of clowning should make people laugh and think. To entertain is the object, but a clown must follow a strict code of ethics, and that this performer missed.
“This is one of several Clown Codes of Ethics, one that I particularly approve of…
1. I will keep my acts, performance and behavior in good taste while I am in costume and makeup. I will remember at all times, that I have been accepted as a member of the clown club to provide others, principally children, with clean clown comedy entertainment. I will remember that a good clown entertains others by making fun of himself or herself and not at the expense or embarrassment of others.
2. I will learn to apply makeup in a professional manner. I will provide my own costume. I will carry out my appearance and assignment for the entertainment of others and not for personal gain or national publicity when performing for either the National club or Alley events. I will always try to remain anonymous while in makeup and costume as a clown, though there may be circumstances when it is not reasonably possible to do so.
3. I will not drink any alcoholic beverage prior to any clown appearances. I will abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages while in clown makeup and clown costume. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady, neither molesting nor interfering with other acts, events, spectators, or individuals.
4. I will remove my makeup and change into my street clothes as soon as possible following my appearance, so that I cannot be associated with any incident, which may be detrimental to the good name of clowning. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady at all times.
5. While on appearance, in makeup and costume, I will carry out the directives of the Producer or his designated deputies. I will abide by all performance rules without complaint in public.
6. I will do my very best to maintain the best clown standards of makeup, costuming, properties, and comedy.
7. I will appear in as many clown shows as I can.
8. I will be committed to providing an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment for clowns of all ages to share ideas and learn about the art of clowning.
Ethics Alarms 
That Code of Ethics is fine but clowns still scare me!
jvb
A clown code of ethics.
What difference, at this point, does it make. When the president and Hillary make it their business to abide by any American code of ethics I’ll start worrying about the clowns.
In many of his plays Shakeapeare used the Fool (jester, clown) as the privileged character who could speak truth to power without fear of retribution. Many modern-day actors audition, panting to “play the Fool” in WS plays. Jack, you’re a theatre director — do I lie?
Just occurred to me — in Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pinafore”, Deadeye Dick was the Fool character. Trying to think of other characters playwrights used as this device or instrument. Ado Annie? Carrie Pepperidge? Luther Billis?
Not sure I would agree that DD is a true Fool character. Heck, the crew throws him overboard for trying to speak the truth, and the Captain, in many productions, keeps hitting him with a cat-o-nine tails. Gilbert doesn’t really have Fool characters, since in his shows virtually everyone is an idiot. In Pinafore, though, I’d argue that there IS a “Fool,” and it’s Buttercup. In general, though, musicals and operettas aren’t big on that device. Even Jack Point, who is literally the Fool in G & S’s “Yeomen of the Guard,” doesn’t fill that role in the plot. He’s the tragic hero.
In what was does mocking Power violate a single item of that Code?
I thought the idea of a Jester (and that’s the reason you wear the motley, don’t make any mistake) was to tell the King what he needed to hear but would never be told otherwise.
Who would have thought that upholding other people’s dignity was more important.
If these are actually the “Code of Ethics”, I just lost a shit load of respect for the profession.
A clowns humor is self efacing. A jester was to joke at the king or leaders directly, while the arts are related they are not the same, and the key is directly. As this clown was at family friendly event his bit was as inaproiate as Fred Pelps at a military funeral. Clowning is a family friendly art as such depicting politics is not part of it. Jesting is aimed at a more sofisticated audience. The jester is the clowns older brother, and a bit more bawdy. If this act had been performed in a night club or another venue where children were not present it would not be an issue. But it was not a state fair is a family event! As is a rodeo! The key. Is to know your audience and respect you audience. I myself use to do loads of political jokes in my improv shows, but not for the shows that kids were present. Good taste is presenting to the right audience.
So a night event, where alcohol is served, and where it is entirely possible you might witness a man become crippled, is not a place for A GUY TO WEAR A FUCKING MASK???
Are you actively shitting me?
AM, I would go even further…Rodeo clowns are NOT present to provide entertainment for the crowd, except incidentally. They are there to provide PROTECTION to the riders and staff of the events. Therefore, this “Clown Code of Ethics” is not applicable. I would think that Steve Stockman, being from Texas would know better.
That’s a valid point—the clowns in rodeos are more than entertainers. Moreover, though I like the Code, rodeo clowns are not required to know or follow any such Code, which is just one set of proposed guidelines. Unlike professions with actual Codes of Conduct or ethics, there is no enforcement mechanism or way to make rodeo clowns pledge to observe or follow any code. So this aspect of the debate is theoretical only.
From my semi-limited contact with Rodeo people, that’s actually a misconception. What we think of as “rodeo clowns,” who distract the animals to protect others, are actually referred to as “bull fighters.” There are also rodeo clowns, who are there to entertain the crowd.
Many rodeo clowns do adhere to the code! That said the first instance of this performance was at a state fair with a family audience. The Question is, whether the acts material was approriat for the audience. If. It was why did so many object ? Now as a director I often try to invoke a reaction that people may object too. But when I preform as a clown, it is about spreading joy and laughter! A rodeo clown also, adds providing safety to his.chores.
A jester or comic is open to creating political Satire. I have no objections to a polititians taking his lumps, but when performing, with children present the code should be in play!
“The Question is, whether the act’s material was approriate for the audience. If it was, why did so many object ?”
This can not be the standard we hold behavior up to in determining if material is appropriate. First and foremost, it can not act as a guide to make decisions as it requires the performance to be given and reactions to be discerned before we know if the act was appropriate. It’s totally unworkable, and that’s before we get to the question of how many people get to object and decide, 1, or 5, or 100??? It reminds me of the, if it saves one child only in reverse, now we have to filter what clowns do down to the level of if it’s objectionable to even one person????
I don’t see how putting on a mask breaks any of the rules outlined in the code of ethics.
Thanks Brian. Your point is also applicable to the earlier blog entry, about the pastor who spoke at the funeral and offended one homosexual.
Did anyone argue the pastor was unethical because offense was taken? No. This is bad form.
Because they are worthless shitpiles who find racism in words like “niggardly” and “Black hole”.
The only people who are crying foul are knee-jerk reactionaries who’s opinion became worthless over five years ago.
The clowns are passing by, but everyone knows that, deep inside, their hearts are breaking….