In 2010 I had a concept in my head one day that I should photograph my favorite subjects (Clowns) without their performance costume and makeup and match it with a performance shot. The ‘Unmask’ shot would be black and white and the performance shot in color. I decided to call it The Clown UnMask. I began shooting in Feb. 2010 with one of the funniest clowns I know and admire. Glen Heroy.
I followed up with many more (almost 50) until I stopped shooting the series in 2016. Here is a comprehensive list of the performers (with links to the original posts) I documented in my ‘hallway’ studio. In the order in which I photographed them. Full post are reached by using the links. Some portrait are provided for visual excitement!
(The wall came down in 2016 so the series was discontinued)
Mark Gindick is a professional actor, clown, physical comedian, director, teacher and writer/creator of his own theatrical shows. Wing-Man, his original theatrical piece without one spoken word, won BEST ONE-MAN SHOW in United Solo Theatre Festival, the largest solo festival of it’s kind in the world. Mark has appeared in major feature films, including the Nora Ephron comedy Julie & Julia with Meryl Streep; on televison, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and was featured in The PBS mini series CIRCUS; starred Off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in the New York Times acclaimed hit The Comedy Trio Happy Hour; clowned on circuses such as Cirque Du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and the Big Apple Circus as well as teaching clowning at SUNY Purchase College and other New York City venues. Mark wrote and starred in How To Be A Man at the Palace of Variety on 42nd Street (NYC) and Mark’s unique blend of vaudeville, dance, and physical comedy earned him three Golden Nose Awards.
Adam Kuchler is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Adam followed in his uncle’s footsteps and became a clown. Since 1995, he has worked in 43 of the United States and 14 countries around the globe, in circuses, variety theaters, parks, cruise ships, and once in a bullfighting ring. He appeared on Late Night with David Letterman multiple times, and in 2012, was honored to be awarded a special prize for clowning at the International Circus Festival in Figueres, Spain. In his spare time, Adam enjoys playing ukulele and eating popcorn.
The legendary Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret returns to Brooklyn from March 13 – 16 at the Brooklyn Lyceum! For 20 years, Bindlestiff’s New York City Cabaret season has been an alternative New York favorite providing a stage for the world’s best in circus, sideshow, vaudeville, burlesque, and variety.
Over 400 circus and variety arts stars have appeared in the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret since its inception by Brooklynites Stephanie Monseau and Keith Nelson two decades ago, featuring aerial performances, fire eating, funambulism, contortion, acrobatic balance, sword swallowing, juggling, physical comedy, sideshow stunts, oddball novelty turns and much more. The Bindlestiff stage is one of the few arenas in the world where audiences may see internationally renowned street performers, featured acts from Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Brothers, artists made known by America’s Got Talent, and even local legends all on stage together in the same incredible show.
In keeping with Bindlestiff’s underground New York City roots, the audience is encouraged to participate in the glamour of the evening by dressing the part. Those in costume or circus makeup can ask for a discounted ticket at the door. Perhaps you’ve got some top boots and a tailcoat in the closet? Or a corset and tutu you’ve been dying to wear? A cotton-candy-floss wig and sparkly eyelashes? There’s no better time to dig them out, put them on, and be part of the spectacle!
ADULTS ONLY SHOW (18+): 8:00 pm on March 13, 14, 15, 16
Tickets: $20 advance / $25 at the door / $10 discount for clowns in make-up (walk-up only)
FAMILY MATINEES (all ages): 3:00 pm on March 15 and 16
Tickets: $12 or 4 tickets for $40
Imagine a variety show on the set of a Twilight Zone Episode about a warehouse full of antique movie props….Awesome
Before the show the performing space is being set up.
A pillow for an audience member.
Josh Bisker readies the track lighting fixture before the audience arrives.
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SHOW TIME
Ellia and Josh Bisker get the show going by introducing the show.
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DALE SEEVER
Dale Seever begins his ‘spirit drawing’ session with a big easy chair and some spirits in hand.
Dale Seever holds up the ‘spirit drawing’ he did on the audience member.
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ZERO BOY
Zero Boy makes monster mayhem with his Sci-Fi Robot and Dinosaur love making scene.
More wonderfully insane stories told thru the vocal imagination of Zero Boy.
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ROB LOK
Rob Lok performs his manic madness on the audience.
Rob Lok performs an amazing handstand on 3 stacked chairs.
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PARIS
Paris (The Hip-Hop Juggler) spinning the red rings on his foot and hands.
Paris juggles five rings while kneeling on the floor. (Not enough ceiling height?)
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JOSH BISKER
Josh Bisker sings a lovely funny song for the audience at Superfun Variety Show
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DAVID BOYD
David Boyd performs card magic for the audience at Superfun Variety Show
David Boyd performs magic for onlooker Tanya Solomon who looks amazed.
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CARLA RHODES
Ventriloquist Carla Rhodes and Cecil Sinclair perform a hysterical set for the audience.
Cecil Sinclair sings a very funny song about Salt Water Toffee for the audience.
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ADAM KUCHLER
Adam Kuchler performs his wilding funny act for the audience.
While performing his wild act one of his swinging props lands in a precarious place.
Adam Kuchler realizes about his little mistake and feels the pain.
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BAD ADVICE
Right after the intermission the audience had a chance to ask questions which a select group of panelist would answer wtih “bad advice”.
Ellia Bisker sets up the table for the “Bad Advice” section of the show.
With Josh Bisker looking on, Cecil warms up to audience member panelist Mary Kelly Rayel.
Cecil loses his head during a heated fight between himself and Mary Kelly. Carla looks on!
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ELLIA BISKER
Ellie Bisker sings an original song from her Sweet Soubrette album.
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CHRIS GETHARD
Author of a new book titled A BAD IDEA I’M ABOUT TO DO. Chris invited an audience member (Austin Horse) onstage to liven up what he thought might be a slow performacne.
With Tazer in hand audience member Austin Horse proceeded to terrorize Chris.
(It was indeed a ‘bad idea that he did’)
While Chris Gethard reads his book he is constantly on the watch for Austin with the Tazer in his hand.
Chris Gethard almost gets ‘tazered’ by the hand picked Austin Horse.
Dave Cox attempts a ‘hula hoop’ finale that gets the audience’s support.
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ZERO BOY
Here is an excerpt from Zero Boy’s vocal trickery that leads you down the path of creative visualization.
This piece was performed at the Jan. 2. 2012 Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show at Dixon Place.
For more information on Bindlestiff Open Stage.
http://bindlestiff.org/menu/calendar.html
For more information on Zero Boy.
http://www.zeroboy.com/
For more information on Dixon Place:
http://www.dixonplace.org/
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ADAM KUCHLER
A funny character piece by Adam Kuchler was a delight to the audience.
A ‘balloonatic’ on the loose. Adam gets sidetracked from his goal by the balloon.
Finally he gets his one arm balance accomplished. Amazing!
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BILLY SCHULTZ
Billy Schultz begins his ‘Song and Dance Man’ piece behind shades!
“I want to be a Song and Dance man”.
Billy Schultz makes the ‘split’ look pretty easy.
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KEITH NELSON
Keith Nelson attempts to catch 2 spoons in the cups while keeping his plates spinning.
Keith Nelson keeps his 4 plates spinning and next month will add more.
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MAGIC BRIAN
The suave performer Magic Brian takes the stage and begins his routine.
The volunteer audience member handcuffs Magic Brian first.
Magic Brian gets tied up with rope and his feet secured with chains and he is blindfolded.
He attempts to escape the ‘bonding’ and do it before the female volunteer can find her card in the deck.
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KEITH INTRODUCES THE NEXT ACT WITH A TOP TRICK
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999 EYES
The ‘sideshow’ band 999 Eyes performs a few songs from their set.
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RYDER COOLEY
Ryder Cooley performing with uke and kazoo an original song and projections.
Vieled and mysteriously aloff Ryder Cooley entertains the audience with her song.
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KYLE PETERSEN
Suave “The Brooklyn Juggler” Kyle Petersen on a unicycle juggling clubs.
Kyle changes his wardrobe and begins to unicycle and hulahoop at the same time.
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OLIVIA
Olivia begins the piece as a classical accordion player and then everything goes wacky.
The sheet music leaves the stand and ends up on her shoe. She continues as if nothing happened.
With her accordion behind her back she some how ends up on the floor trying to read her sheet music.
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AMAZING AMY
Amazing Amy is indeed the most amazing contortionist around.
Great strength and flexible body makes this woman the most Amazing!
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JAN MANKE
Jan Manke enters the stage with crutches and angel wings.
Beautiful physical control and technique on the aerial act.
Sometimes the act took on a visual resemblance to a painting.