From the Author
Way back in 1983 I was approached by the President of our clown club, Kapitol Klowns, Alley #6 of the Clowns of America. He suggested that I might want to give a lecture on clown magic at the club's third annual clown workshop. I agreed, and then proceeded to put down some ideas in the form of a small lecture pamphlet. It was my idea to consolidate all the information required for a clown or magician trying to get started as a professional entertainer for children's parties. Well, the lecture pamphlet kept growing as a wealth of material was gathered from many sources. The final result was not a lecture pamphlet, but the Handbook for the Magical Party Clown. The Handbook will save the beginner the many hours of exhausting research that I endured during my beginning years.
About the Author
Donald Sminkey (Don the Clown), the first member of the Clown Capers Company or Bowie, Maryland, was a full-time electronic engineer and part-time professional magician/clown. He was a member of the Columbia Conjurors, Assembly #141 of the Society of American Magicians and the Clowns of America International Clown Club...
..."As long as I can remember," said Don, "I've been interested in magic, but I never thought I would actually turn professional."...Don began actively performing magic in 1963 for local scout groups, adult and children's parties, and carnivals. Magical performances continued intermittently until 1978 when he joined the Columbia Conjurors Club, Columbia, Maryland. After viewing a performance by a local clown club, his interest in clown magic was stirred and he soon developed a comedy magical clown act.
"Children's magic particularly interested me," said Don, "and I soon realized the business potential of a clown character." After launching his clown act in the summer of 1979, Don's business increased rapidly. He was soon performing regularly throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. After many years of performing, Don is now in semi-retirement, while the rest of the company continues to perform regularly. He now performs occasionally as Dazzlin' Don the Wacky Wizard.
