EXCLUSIVE: National clown shortage may be approaching, trade organizations fear

As the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to Brooklyn Thursday, membership at the country's largest clown organizations has plunged over the past decade amid declining interest, old age and higher standards for the jokesters.

By Natalie Musumeci / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, February 17, 2014, 2:16 AM

Send in the clowns — please!

As the “Greatest Show on Earth” returns to Brooklyn Thursday, circus folk fear a national clown shortage is on the horizon.

Membership at the country’s largest trade organizations for the jokesters has plunged over the past decade as declining interest, old age and higher standards among employers align against Krusty, Bozo and their crimson-nosed colleagues.

“What’s happening is attrition,” said Clowns of America International President Glen Kohlberger, who added that membership at the Florida-based organization has plummeted since 2006. “The older clowns are passing away.”

He said he wouldn’t release specific numbers, citing the privacy of the members.

Membership at the World Clown Association, the country’s largest trade group for clowns, has dropped from about 3,500 to 2,500 since 2004.

“The challenge is getting younger people involved in clowning,” said Association President Deanna (Dee Dee) Hartmier, who said most of her members are over 40.

Kohlberger said that it’s difficult getting younger people who develop an early interest in the many facets of clowning to stick with it on the professional level.

Read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national...1#ixzz2tbLYJNYx

Pity that Washington D.C. isn't suffering from the same shortage.

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Steven Hayward in John Kerry
How Can There Be a Clown Shortage With So Many Democrats to Choose From?

The New York Daily News reports the distressing finding of fears that the nation is facing an imminent shortage of clowns:

Membership at the World Clown Association, the country’s largest trade group for clowns, has dropped from about 3,500 to 2,500 since 2004.

Let’s see: that time period would correspond with the Democrats electing more of their clowns to Congress, electing the Obama Administration. Not to worry: the solution to the World Clown Association’s woes is obvious, and one place they might start to find a first-rate clown is the State Department.

POWERLINE

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