Home Contact Information Gallery Sign Guestbook Frequently Asked Questions
Cheesecake Ed The Elf Monty View Guestbook The Man Behind The Makeup

Types of Clowns

Whiteface
Auguste
Tramp/Hobo
Character

Whiteface Clowns

There are three types of Whiteface Clowns: Straight Whiteface, (classic) European Whiteface, and (comedy) grotesque Whiteface
(Classic) European Whiteface
Picture of a Pierrot Clown Character: Also commonly called the Pierott clown. An elegant clown, artistic, colorful, bright and cheery. Its performance is highly artistic and skillful, but done with a comedic or dramatic flair.
Makeup: All exposed flesh will be covered with white makeup. Minimal lining color(s) and/or glitter will be used to express the features of the eyes, nose, and mouth. A white skull cap could be worn in lieu of a colored wig. The European Whiteface generally does not wear a comedy nose, false eyelashes, or large ears.
Costume: Considered the "most beautiful" of all clowns, it would be outfitted with the traditional one or two-piece jump suits of white or colored material to fit the character of the Classic Pierott. The styles may vary but are generally roomy and well-fitted and may have a detachable collar. The tunic or blouse can be straight, flared, short, medium or long with the long sleeves. Buttons, pompons, piping and ruffles should be of a contrasting color. The pants can be straight, flared, ruffled, or pantalooned. A clown hat should fit the clown's character/personality (short or tall cone hat, short cup or flat hats, or the typical "Pagliacci" hat). Gloves should cover the hands and wrists and should be white or colored to fit the wardrobe. Ballet or dancing slippers would be worn in lieu of large comedy shoes.
Straight Whiteface
Picture of a Straight Whiteface Clown Character: The aristocrat of all clowns. An elegant clown, artistic, colorful, bright and cheery. In a setting with other clowns, the straight Whiteface would be in charge. Its performance is highly artistic and skillful, but done with a comedic or dramatic flair. When performing with the Auguste and/or Tramp, this clown will remain in charge, setting up the routine, throwing rather than taking the pie, slap or kick. Although more comical than the European Whiteface, this clown is a bit more reserved than the impish and gregarious Auguste.
Makeup: All exposed flesh will be covered with white makeup. Minimal lining color(s) and/or glitter will be used to express the features of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Varying styles and colors of clown wigs are used
Costume: The costume will fit well. Satins, sequins, rhinestones and theatrical fabrics (shiny, flashy, beaded, etc.) can be used. A one or two piece jumper worn with a ruff is the most common Whiteface costume. However, a two piece suit or tuxedo style is also acceptable. The costume including the accessories should be color coordinated. Shoes can be large or small but should be simple. Gloves should always be worn. in lieu of only the skull cap. The color of the wig is generally chosen to accent another color in the costume.
(Comedy) Grotesque Whiteface
Character: As the Straight Whiteface is the more "traditional" clown, the Grotesque Whiteface, also known as the Comedy Whiteface, is today the most common Whiteface clown. When performing with the Auguste and/or Tramp, this clown will remain in charge, setting up the routine, throwing rather than taking the pie, slap or kick. Although more comical than the Straight Whiteface, this clown is a bit more reserved than the impish and gregarious Auguste.
Makeup: As in the Straight Whiteface, all exposed flesh of the face, neck, and ears will be covered with white makeup. The coloring and design of the facial features are what differentiate it from the classic design. Whereas the straight design is purposely kept simple, the (comedy) Grotesque Whiteface design may include large false eyelashes, a larger mouth design, a clown nose and other features on the face. Some of these features may be outlined in black; glitter and sparkles are also common. Varying styles and colors of clown wigs are used in lieu of only the skull cap. The color of the wig is generally chosen to accent another color in the costume.
Costume: Although the traditional jump suit can be worn, the (comedy) Grotesque Whiteface is equally acceptable in brightly colored shirts and pants, suits and large comedy shoes that complement the costume. Costumes will be more "glitzy" and color coordinated than the Auguste costumes. White or colored gloves should be worn. The female clown costuming does not vary much between the Auguste and the Grotesque Whiteface; the tradition of color coordination, sparkles, glitter, ruffles and ribbon remains. Even when using cotton fabrics, the total look would be pretty and elegant.

Auguste
Picture of an Auguste Clown Character: The most comical of all clowns. He/she is impish, gregarious and thrives on slapstick. His/her actions are big, clumsy and awkward. He/she does not have much in common with the Whiteface except for the makeup and costume. His/her personality is that of a rabble rouser. When appearing with the Whiteface, the Auguste (German meaning "foolish") is the brunt of the joke. However, with the Tramp, he becomes the instigator in control of the situation.
Makeup: The Auguste has a highly colorful makeup with a base color of flesh tone (pink, tan, reddish brown) on the face and neck. The eye and muzzle area are usually covered in white to produce a wide-eyed expression and to accentuate the mouth design. Designs in and around the eyes and mouth are generally black or red, but other lining colors, in moderation, are acceptable. A red shadowing around the muzzle area is generally outlined in black (or occasionally red). This clown will normally wear a large comedy nose appropriate to the size of the clown's face. The Auguste will always wear a wig, but can choose from the many varied styles and colors to accentuate the costume and flesh tone of the Auguste.
Costume: The Auguste clown has the widest variety of costume designs to choose from, except it would not wear the "traditional" jumpsuit of the Whiteface. The August could wear a jacket or coat, short, medium or long, with or without tails, or go without. The pants could be short, long, or oversize. It can choose from a wide selection of colorful plaids, stripes, polka dots, and checks, as well as solid colors. Commonly called "the tailor's nightmare", the Auguste's costume colors and patterns should complement the overall clown appearance, whether or not they are color coordinated or matched. Theatrical fabrics or sequins are inappropriate on the Auguste costume. He/she is usually a notorious prankster and may need a lot of pockets to carry gags and tricks. The costume can be complemented with outlandish accessories, like large or small ties, vests, colorful socks, large or comical collars, suspenders and many styles and colors of comedy clown shoes. These and one of the many hat possibilities, like skimmers, Irish derbies, bowlers, top hats, stovepipes, "madhatters" and "crushables" in various bright colors will enhance the Auguste clown character. White or colored gloves are also worn. Although the Classic European Auguste is used in skits, it is not appropriate for COAI competitions. Costuming does not vary much between the Auguste and the Whiteface female clown regarding style, but the Whiteface tradition of color coordination, sparkles, glitter, ruffles and ribbon remain. Even when using cotton fabrics, the total look would be pretty and elegant. The Auguste female clown may wear mismatched colors and be totally uncoordinated, but may also prefer to be a pretty clown. This is acceptable. However, the Auguste must never wear sequins and glitter or use theatrical fabrics. These belong only to the Whiteface beauties. The female Auguste may choose to be a bumbling, stumbling or slapstick personality, much the same as the male Auguste clown.

Tramp/Hobo
Picture of a Tramp Clown Character: There are some variations in this clown category. The classic Tramp epitomized by Emmett Kelly and Otto Griebling of circus fame is the forlorn and downtrodden character who has nothing and knows he will never have anything. By nature, he will probably be a loner, which is reflected in his determination to be silent, generally not talking to anyone but his peers. His downcast mannerisms and shuffling burdensome movements reflect his hard life.

The vagabond, elegant or happy Tramp is the businessman, scholar or playboy who, being fed up with his life, walked out of society for the wanderlust of travel. He is king of the road, happy with what he has and does not expect much. His character may take on some of the characteristics of the Auguste. This type of character was portrayed by Red Skelton in his Freddie the Freeloader character. Considered the only true American clown, some believe that this character developed from the days of the Depression in the 30's, when men rode the rails looking for work. Other historical references indicate the tramp makeup goes back to vaudeville and minstrel shows of the 1800's and early 1900's. Regardless of the type of Tramp/Hobo, he is the one who is the brunt of the joke and will be on the receiving end of the pie, slap or kick from the Whiteface or Auguste. Both variations of tramps will be judged together. In addition, the "bag lady" would be considered the female version of a Tramp/Hobo.
Makeup: The makeup represents the soot deposited on the face from the coal and wood-burning trains their originators rode. The eye and mouth areas were wiped clean of soot in order to see and eat. White makeup is used in the eye and mouth areas to exaggerate this cleaning process. The upper face is a blend of flesh tones to reflect the outdoor look. The beard line of the male is black or shades of dark gray to reflect the soot and beard, feathered into the upper cheeks and down under the chin. A ruddy nose is used. A little red shading in the cheeks can help create the sunburned look. The difference between the types of tramp characters is generally depicted by the shape of the eyebrows and mouth, either up or down to reflect happy or sad.
Costume: Usually a dark suit, tuxedo, tail or just shirt and pants made to look old and worn for the male, and an old worn-out dress and/or coat for the bag lady. These could be well patched with rags or other materials, with uneven stitching or held together with whatever available. A dark, battered hat, tattered shoes and socks, worn shirt and tie will exaggerate the character. Gloves are generally old and worn. In keeping with the unemployed status of the Tramp, this character would not wear expensive watches, rings, or new belt, shoes, or socks.

Character Clowns
A Character Clown is one who portrays an identifiable character and/or occupation, i.e., fireman, nurse, doctor, cowboy, storybook character, policeman, sailor, small child, etc. Contestants must remember that this is a clown competition; famous personalities, i.e., Charlie Chaplin, W. C. Fields, Col. Sanders, etc., are not considered "clowns". Representations of animals or cartoon characters, i.e., dogs, cats, Smurfs, etc., are also not considered character clowns. On the other hand, a contestant who portrays a clown version of a famous personality, i.e., Charlie Chaplin, would be considered a character clown.

Rules regarding costumes would not necessarily be used in judging this category. Judges will grade the contestant on how well the costume helps to identify the character. When judging this category the judges will be evaluating the contestants' makeup according to the appropriate makeup guidelines.

� Copyright 1988 - 2003 by Dana J. Montgomery. Copying of this web page in whole or in part (logo, images, text, etc.) is prohibited without express written permission of Dana J. Montgomery. There have been lotsvisitors to this site since 3/2/96. Counter courtesy of Web Counter
E-mail Contact The Web Master
digital productions Logo design by
digital productions