Cheri Venturi

I’m Cheri Venturi, A.K.A.” Cherri-Oats,” Many of you know me as the “Wig Lady” that helps on a “BAD HAIR DAY”, or the clown from many places. BCO (Before Cherri-Oats), I taught school for over 25 years. My Degree is in education from Marquette University. My recent Teaching has been in the area of clowning. I lectured at both COAI and WCA conventions along with regional conferences and alley meetings. I have been on staff at Clown Camp Wisconsin, Clownfest, the very special Arts of Indiana, the Clown Around in Tennessee and Moose Camp. One of my biggest challenges has been working on the board of COAI for the past 11 years. My newest challenge if running for the Education Director. I have tried to keep entertaining as well as running my wig business through all my moves but I have not been able to return to performing in town since my last move to St. Louis, MO in 2007. I am sure that age is not a factor in resettling but I really need to stop collecting things. Multi-Tasking has taken on a new dimension with serving on two boards, Teaching, being a Wife, Mother and a Grandmother of two and running a small business. My enthusiasm and energy are rarely dampened. I amd always looking for new roads to travel and meeting everyone along the way. From Every experience I grow. I look forward to sharing my thought where ever I go and to learn from those that are around me.

Dan Langwell

Dan Langwell has been entertaining since 1988. The same week he started college Dan met former Broadway performer Joel Thompson and started working with his children’s radio ministry, Kids Are Christians Too. For a number of years Dan was part of the ministry, writing and voicing some of the material, as well as performing on stage for the live tours of the K.A.C.T. team. In the late 90s funding changed and although the radio ministry ended a television program C.M.J. Clubzone began (C.M.J. standing for Come Meet Jesus.) This lasted for a couple of seasons, with Dan having some cameos in front of the camera but most of the work was behind the scenes this time as the focus of the show was a group of 7 to 12 year olds. At the peak C.M.J. Clubzone was available to more than 44 million households. In 1999 Dan wanted to learn more about a new style of clowning so he attended Mooseburger Camp for Clown Arts Education. MooseCamp, as it is called, is run by Former Ringling Brothers clown Tricia Manuel, also known as Pricilla Mooseburger. MooseCamp is the Premier intensive training program in the nation with the majority of Staff being venerated Ringling Alum. Dan continued his studies the next two summers. Over the years Dan has persistently worked at improving and adding new talents and skills to his arsenal. As president and past president of two local clown alleys Dan focused on helping other entertainers in the area to grow. From 2006 until 2008 Dan was President of the Midwest Clown Association, an educational and supporting organization for clowns residing in seven Midwest states. Currently Dan is Co-Director of the “Junior Joey” Program for clowns between the ages of 8 and 16, as well as Regional Vice President of Clowns of America, International, the largest clown organization in the United States. 2009 marks Dan’s fifth year on staff as an instructor at MooseCamp, and he has been asked to teach at the inaugural Red Skelton Clown School in June.

Earl “Mister Clown” Chaney

A 1972 graduate Of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College, Earl Chaney was taught by and performed with many of the great clowns of our era such as Lou Jacobs, Mark Anthony, Emmett Kelly, Sr. & Otto Greibling. After leaving the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit in 1975, Earl settle in Las Vegas, NV. Since that time he has perfected the art of stage shows, birthday party shows, corporate clowning and more. A true believer in sharing his knowledge and providing the best available education to non-circus clowns, Earl has instructed in numerous clown camps, clown colleges and conventions. His 1981 makeup video “Color of a Clown” was the first of its kind to hit the market. Earl offers over 20 lectures covering clowning from skills, to theory, to history. Topics range from clown history to clown ethics, to birthday party shows, to character development, to juggling, to………… his unique perspective and experiences, circus and hometown clowning, allows him to bring a broader base of knowledge into his lectures and his style allows him to share that knowledge in a fun and entertaining manner. In great demand as a performer and headliner he delights children and adults alike with his magic, birthday party show, skits, and Impressions. With over two decades of full time clowning experience, Earl Chaney is a clown’s clown, a believer in keeping the heritage of clowning alive, a man with personal knowledge of clown history. Earl ‘Mister Clown” Chaney is one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining lecturer/performers in clowning today.

Fred Baisch

Fred Baisch has been in Show Business as a magician for 42 years, and has been clowning for 19 years. A member of the Osman Shrine since 1981, he has garnered both “Clown of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.” He is currently producing clown for the Osman Shrine Circus. An internationally recognized magician and member of the Academy of the Magical Arts (Hollywood’s Famous Magic Castle), Fred had friends on almost every continent even before the internet made it commonplace. He is Past President of Ring 19 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and for 12 years he represented all the magicians of Minnesota as the Territorial Vice President for the International Brotherhood of Magicians. For over 20 years Fred and his late Show Biz partner, Dave Bassett were highly sought after by many major magic convention due to their unique and off-beat style of performance. Fred continues to amaze and amuse audiences with his performances ranging from walk-around close-up, to nightclub, to full stage illusion shows. A family entertainer, Fred appears at fairs, festivals, school assemblies, other family programs and numerous charitable events. As co-owner of Twin Cities Magic & Costume Co. for 22 years Fred has experienced nearly every facet of the ups and downs in the entertainment industry, helping clowns and magicians every step of the way as TCMC continues to grow. He is a requested lecturer at magic conventions, and has taught magic to clowns throughout the United States and Puerto Rico for over 20 years. For the last six years Fred has been privileged to be featured as the staff magician for Pricilla Mooseburger’s Clown Arts Camp. He has taught everywhere from the frozen tundra of North Dakota to the sandy shores of more than one of those southern states. On his shelves sit many awards for magic and clowning, and although he is proud of these accomplishments he is more proud of the accomplishments made by his many students. Fred’s main goal when teaching magic to clowns is to give them another tool to use when bringing joy and happiness to others.

Greg and Karen Desanto

Currently in their third decade as professional circus clowns, Greg and Karen DeSanto are one of the very few husband and wife comedy/clown teams working in America today. Greg graduated in 1985 from the acclaimed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He was the featured producing clown and created, wrote and directed original clown material for Ringling’s Blue, Red and Gold Units. His work as a performer has been featured in such diverse locales as the center ring of Madison Square Garden, the historic vaudeville stage of the Sarasota Opera House, Lincoln Center and the White House. Greg was also a featured performer in the 1996-1997 Big Apple Circus tour, Medicine Show. He was inducted into the 2001 EHS HALL OF FAME for his contributions to the arts and humanities. Karen graduated from the Ringling Clown College in 1993 and then was featured in Ringling’s Blue Unit. A member of the Clown Care (SM) hospital clowning program of the Big Apple Circus, Karen is one of the country’s leading clown instructors and has developed teaching programs for the Circus’s Arts-In-Education program, the National Circus Project and Ocean Park Amusements. As a businesswoman, she created and ran a successful clown and character production company in California. Her performances have taken her to the stages of Carnegie Hall, the State Capital of California and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Karen is also a published author with articles in the Rosie magazine and the children’s book, Star Saves the Circus. Together Greg and Karen have served as consultants for Feld Entertainment and have directed the clown material for many editions of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. They have been featured comics on cruise lines, and in circuses around the world including a command performances for King Hussein of Morocco. For seven seasons Greg and Karen were the resident clowns at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and appeared together in The Big Apple Circus’ 2005-06 production Grandma Goes To Hollywood.

Jim Howle

Jim Howle is one of the most versatile clowns performing today. In addition to his performing skills, which are finely honed, he is also a famous artist and expert on clown make up. Jim is a native of Darlington, South Carolina, where his mother was an artist, and Jim was pulled into clowning through art. While attending the Ringling School of Art, he learned of the creation of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He applied, was accepted, and was graduated from the original class in 1968. He then toured with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey for seven years as a tramp clown, working with some of the great circus clowns such as Lou Jacobs and Mark Anthony. He was selected as the Big Show’s official artist. He left the show in 1974 to pursue his painting career. Through the Contemporary American Clowns and Red Nose Philosopher series of paintings, the first three Clown Hall of Fame Inductee posters. and other paintings, Jim has captured the heart and soul of clowning. His work is included in the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute and the Leningrad Gallery. There are clown collectible cards of his work available at Planet Mirth — well worth a look, even if just to appreciate his craftsmanship. A popular instructor, he has taught at Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College and the University of Wisconsin Clown Camp. He was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1993.

Joel Heidtman

Raised in rural Ohio, Joel Heidtman spent most of his childhood fishing, raising chickens and quietly becoming one of the best young jugglers in the United States. On the day before his 16th birthday in 1984, he made his performing debut with the Florida State University “Flying High” Circus. The center ring felt very comfortable to him, and he has been influential in both the juggling and clowning communities ever since. A 1986 graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, he spent the next six years performing on both the Red Unit and the Blue Unit of The Greatest Show On Earth. Performances at Disney World and Disneyland, the Kinoshita Circus in Japan and a fourteen city tour of China are just a few of many other accomplishments. In 1986, assisting his older brother, he taught a Creative Arts program at The Ohio State University and was named “Someone You Should Know” by the local media in Columbus, Ohio. While on tour in China, he was formally invited to perform in Pyongyang, North Korea for Kim Jong Il. He also has been photographed with President Regan and President Nixon. The MGM Grand, Circus Circus and the Excalibur all have contracted him over the past fifteen years he has lived in Las Vegas. Truly a world class juggler, he has the ability to not only repeatedly and successfully attempt extremely difficult tricks onstage, he also makes it look easy. From Beijing to Zihuatanejo, Joel Heidtman has been there… and left the audience breathless.

Karen Bell

Karen began her journey towards clowning back in 1983. Her path led to San Francisco where she studied circus skills with Judy Finelli of the Pickle Family Circus, and discovered the “power of the clown” through workshops with Bill Irwin, Larry Pisoni and Geoffe Hoyle. In 1985 Karen was accepted to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. During her eight years clowning around the globe with Ringling Brother’s Circus, Karen brought laughter into the lives of millions. After ‘running away from the circus to find a home’ Karen continued clowning in her home town of Denver, Colorado. Karen has created several one-woman stage shows that she performed for the Denver Public Schools, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Taste of Colorado, Denver’s Performing Art Festival, Children’s Museum and the Denver Public Libraries, among others, and has taught clown and circus arts extensively. She has toured the Mediterranean twice with the DOD. In 2005, Karen was invited to work with Circus Sarasota, a European Style one ring, non-profit circus. Karen is currently the Program Director and is responsible for designing and teaching educational experiences, including enrichment and curriculum based lessons for ages P-K through adult. Her classes include clown arts, wire walking, juggling and magic. CircusSarasota.org KBClown.com

Kenny Ahern

Touring the planet for over two decades, Kenny Ahern has steadily built his reputation as an excellent family entertainer. He is equally at home in the Theater as he is frolicking on stage at Fairs and edu-taining at Schools.

It all started in 1983, when a college professor suggested that Kenny audition for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and write a research paper about the experience. That was 25 years and thousands of performances ago.

Kenny has taken master classes in physical comedy with Broadway star and Tony Award recipient, Bill Irwin and Yale School of Drama faculty head Christopher Bayes. He studied with Pavel Groditsky at The Soviet National School for the Circus and Variety Arts (movement workshop) and trained at Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Clown College—receiving a BFA (Bachelor in Fun Arts). Kenny has learned from thousands of the best directors in comedy throughout the world … his audiences.

An accomplished educator, Kenny has been a faculty member with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College and The University of Wisconsin- La Crosse/Viterbo University—Clown Camp®. He has guest lectured for the University of Virginia Drama Department and presented workshops for the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.
A Few Performances of Note: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus; The China International Children Arts Festival—Taipei, Taiwan; Variete Theatre Festival—Singapore; The 2005 World Expo—Aichi, Japan; The Brooks & Dunn Neon Circus and Wild West Tour; The International Street Performers Vaudeville Festival—Edmonton, Alberta; The Disneyland Grand Ballroom Theatre; The Moscow Circus School—Moscow, Russia; The White House; The WI, IA, MN, OH, UT, MO, SC State Fairs.

Pricilla Mooseburger

Tricia Manuel is the unmistakable “Pricilla Mooseburger”! She got her start in clowning in the 80’s with Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus and Disneyland. Tricia went on to create the costume company Pricilla Mooseburger Originals. Clown Arts education is the love of her life; she teaches all aspects of clowning and produces some of the finest educational programs for clowns and children entertainers. She gives 100% of herself to her students and it shows! Learn more about her at Mooseburger.com

Rex Nolen

Rex Nolen was a teenager selling cotton candy at Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium when he first saw Otto Griebling perform and got hooked on clowning. Later, under the tutelage of Master Clown Frosty Little, Rex learned the finer points of physical comedy, timing, delivery, classic gags, and pyrotechnics. He loves passing along what he’s learned over the course of 15 years of roughly 250 gigs a year, including birthday parties, festivals, grand openings, and special events. TheGagBag.com

 

 

Robin Eurich AKA: Rusty

Robin Eurich hails from California. He attended Ringling Brothers Clown College in 1975. Returning to California to pursue an acting career he worked at several Improv venues including the Comedy Store from 1977-81. He worked with many comedians we know from movies and TV, including Saturday Night Live. Robin was asked to teach at Ringling Bros. Clown College in 1985-86, 1993-94 and again in 1997. He taught improvisation, movement and juggling as well as directed the students clown gags. In 1994 Mr. Eurich auditioned for The Bozo Show out of Chicago and became Bozo’s goofy sidekick, Rusty the Handyman, for the next eight years until the Bozo show went off the air (not because of anything Robin did!). Throughout his illustrious career Robin has also acted and performed in feature films, TV, radio and voice over.

Terry and Justin Ricketts

AKA: Malcolm and Tater Malcolm was born the same year that Disneyland Opened its gates. First clowned in Evansville Indiana in 1969 at a school carnival and from there the journey began. Clowning experience would include a Hospital Visitation program while in the United States Air Force, selling Burgers and Fries ….. , developing school assembly programs, coordinating one of the largest volunteer clown troupes in the nation. Tater is a Web and Graphic Designer, Photographer, sculptur, and Professional Entertainer. Tater has been inspired by the great Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and of course Red Skelton. All of whom he has styled his character after.