Clowning Around For a Living

March 31, 2010 | Story by: Lindsey Chester | Categories: Arts

Cary, NC- Gary Zwerin, otherwise known as Calvin Klown, was once a regular employee of IBM down in Del Ray, Beach Florida. Then he met Kelly Lee, a professional clown, who “took him under his wing” in 1980.

Kelly was teaching IBM employees clown techniques which the corporation used at company family picnics. Gary loved everything about clowning- the make up,  the balloons, the magic tricks…

Clown Camp’s Beginnings

In 1984, IBM moved Gary up here to work in their Triangle offices. They asked him to teach clown techniques to adults.

In 1992 Gary decided to try his hand at teaching kids and found that it was a lot more fun! His first camp was in Raleigh for 15 children.

From there he moved on to the town of Cary  in 1995, and that was how Cary’s Clown Camp began at Farmington Woods Elementary School. The camp then moved to its current location at Page Walker Cultural Arts Center a few years later.

Juggling, Magic & a Pie in the Face

Gary divides the full day classes into 3 stations by age and ability, each with their own professional clown instructor teaching different aspects of clown lore: Balloon animals, make up technique, face painting, juggling, magic tricks, and improvisation to name a few.

The children spend an hour or so on each station and move on to another. By the end of each day they have checked out 6 fun activities. The highlight of the week is “Wet N Wild” – the day kids come dressed in their bathing suits prepared to get wet throwing pies and buckets of water outdoors to much hilarious laughter.

Valuable Skills Taught With a Laugh

One of the most valuable skills taught during the week is the ability to stand up in front of others and perform. Beginning with improvisation, the children work up an original performance that they conduct for their parents the last day of the camp. These performances combine humor and public speaking.

One of the parents said “Actually, doing the skits and being part of the show is some of the most enjoyable times that they have.”

All in the Family

Gary’s grown daughter has been a clown since the age of 10. She is also one of his occasional staff as she raises her children and studies to be a full time teacher at NC State.

Many of Gary’s former students become his employees as well. As they age out of the program at 16, they return to become interns at summer clown camp.

Professional Clown

Gary has loved everything about being a clown since the first time he painted on his clown make-up.

I asked what makes someone a “Professional Clown.” He answered, “someone who does it full time, for a living.”

So Gary took a part-time hobby that he loved and made it into his full time vocation around the time that he worked off site consulting for IBM.

Sounds like it worked out well.