Chief funny man leads 'Barnum Bash' coming to the Assembly Hall
Photo by: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown DJ Dean (aka Dean Kelley) takes a spin in his clown car as part of the 'Barnum Bash' show..
by Paul Wood
from---Champaign-Urbana news-gazette.com
Thu, 10/18/2012
If you want to be a clown, it doesn't hurt to know how to dance.
Dean Kelley, 32, has reached the pinnacle of clown success as the emcee and chief clown for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "Barnum Bash," in which he plays dancing DJ Dean.
A huge cowlick stands straight up from his bright orange wig — but don't call him a Bozo.
"Every clown is unique," he said. "I'm the clown and pre-show emcee for this show. The dance is a new part of 'Barnum Bash.'"
It is a dream come true for a former 4-year-old boy.
"I've wanted to become a clown since I was 4 and first went to the Ringling Bros. circus. After that, I was there every year; I don't think I ever missed one," he said.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown DJ Dean (aka Dean Kelley) takes a spin in his clown car as part of the 'Barnum Bash' show..
by Paul Wood
from---Champaign-Urbana news-gazette.com
Thu, 10/18/2012
If you want to be a clown, it doesn't hurt to know how to dance.
Dean Kelley, 32, has reached the pinnacle of clown success as the emcee and chief clown for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "Barnum Bash," in which he plays dancing DJ Dean.
A huge cowlick stands straight up from his bright orange wig — but don't call him a Bozo.
"Every clown is unique," he said. "I'm the clown and pre-show emcee for this show. The dance is a new part of 'Barnum Bash.'"
It is a dream come true for a former 4-year-old boy.
"I've wanted to become a clown since I was 4 and first went to the Ringling Bros. circus. After that, I was there every year; I don't think I ever missed one," he said.
The Ringling Ringlettes.
Photographer: Ringling Bros.
After attending every Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance in his hometown of Kansas City, he spent time with professional clowns on a one-on-one basis, learning some of the act and makeup.
He says DJ Dean is a "magnification of myself at a younger age."
Kelley took theater classes at Kansas City Community College, then became a sort of freelance clown, playing for business demonstrations and sporting events.
"I went to Anaheim (Calif.) 10 years ago," he said. "It was the first open audition for a Ringling Bros. spot in over 30 years.
"They hired me the same day."
And Kelley still can't believe his luck
Photographer: Ringling Bros.
After attending every Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance in his hometown of Kansas City, he spent time with professional clowns on a one-on-one basis, learning some of the act and makeup.
He says DJ Dean is a "magnification of myself at a younger age."
Kelley took theater classes at Kansas City Community College, then became a sort of freelance clown, playing for business demonstrations and sporting events.
"I went to Anaheim (Calif.) 10 years ago," he said. "It was the first open audition for a Ringling Bros. spot in over 30 years.
"They hired me the same day."
And Kelley still can't believe his luck
"It's awesome. It's harder to get in Ringling Bros. as a clown than to be a football player in NFL," he said.
The Ringling Bros. bio of Kelley says he is "often referred to by his peers as the Swiss Army Knife of clowns because of his multifaceted circus skills, which include juggling, stilt walking, unicycle riding, balancing and spinning objects and making sound effects."
"Clowns need to be able to do just about everything," he said.
That includes singing karaoke, playing the trumpet and bungee jumping.
The new show, led by Kelley, is based on "fresh" new dance moves, taught by DJ Dean.
At a pre-party show, visitors can learn balancing and juggling skills, meet and take photos with circus stars, and step behind the curtain for a backstage experience.
read more---
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/miscellaneous/2012-10-18/ch
The Ringling Bros. bio of Kelley says he is "often referred to by his peers as the Swiss Army Knife of clowns because of his multifaceted circus skills, which include juggling, stilt walking, unicycle riding, balancing and spinning objects and making sound effects."
"Clowns need to be able to do just about everything," he said.
That includes singing karaoke, playing the trumpet and bungee jumping.
The new show, led by Kelley, is based on "fresh" new dance moves, taught by DJ Dean.
At a pre-party show, visitors can learn balancing and juggling skills, meet and take photos with circus stars, and step behind the curtain for a backstage experience.
read more---
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/miscellaneous/2012-10-18/ch
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