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)
Last week I visited the Big Apple Circus tent and interviewed Joel Jeske and Mark Lonergan. (Actually, Karen Jenson did the interview for Vaudevisuals. I did the video camera!)
Mark and Joel are very excited to be part of the BAC again! They have contributed to the 38th Season and now the 40th season. It is a wonderful show celebrating the uniqueness of The Big Apple Circus!
Here is a short video of The Wallendas performing at The Big Apple Circus! Amazing…
2009’s BIG APPLE CIRCUS show at Lincoln Center was one of the best I seen in a long time. Bello and Grandma have a great time together and the talent is stunning. With a new ring design and great music it was a wonderfully entertaining show.
The acts consisted of Horses with Christine Zerbini and Sultan Kumisbayev, Aerial Silks with Regina Dobrovitskaya, Hand Balancing Duet with Curtola Brothers and Wheel of Wonder with David Martens. The second act had a great trampoline act with The Aniskin Troupe and a dog act with talented Regina Dobrovitskaya and Audrey Mantchev, an asian contortion team called The Long Twins, amazing juggling act with Picaso Jr. and the flying trapeze with the Aniskin Troupe.
I was very interested in hearing the history of the NYGoofs. I had seen the name around for years and knew a few performers that worked with them. Finally a few years ago I began documenting their shows.
This year I wanted to get more information about the origins of the group and hear what Dick Monday had to say about this ‘clown venture’ that has lasted quite a few years!
Here is an interview that covers all that and more. I enjoyed working with Dick, Tiffany, Chet and Lily as well as the entire cast of performers that did the
WATER FOR CLOWNS show this year. Go here for photographs and more information on that show.
Dick Monday Interview
Recently Dick and Tiffany sat for me to do a portrait for my Clown Un_Mask series.
This video can NOT be Embedded to play on other sites!
He recruited, trained and created clowns to perform with The Greatest Show on Earth.
Dick and Tiffany split their time between Dallas and New York. (Mostly Dallas!) Between bring up two children and performing in hospitals and other venues in Dallas they are quite busy!
I just finished doing a video interview with Dick Monday about the NY Goofs and it’s history.
Coming SOON!
While researching for this post I found a quote from Dick that I thought was great!
“Utilizing the power of laughter to uplift the spirits of humanity is a huge responsibility and one that historically has been left to the clown. As a clown, I gladly accept this challenge and will strive to parody the power and enlighten the people where ever and when ever it is called for. This is what I do for a living. I’m also good at Ping Pong.” – Dick Monday
Here is Jenny with her trained African Porcupine on a runway.
