THE FUTURE OF CLOWNING
It's only logical to, in my opinion, complete this analysis with a look towards the future. We've discussed the past and somewhat-present of clowning, but what's the rest going to look like? Truth be told, there's a lot of variety to it.
When it comes to reclaiming the circus from being a space of racial hatred, we can look to the example of Ephriam Williams creating the first African American circus back in the late 19th century. This was an incredibly important step in the right direction, and it allowed for African American entertainers to find a space where they could engage in their passions without being exploited or used for sadistic White audiences' pleasure. Now, there are a lot of performance-based organisations that centre Black and African art, such as UniverSoul Circus and the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
Similarly, many queer artists have decided to take on clowning as an inspiration for their art. While older forms of clowning incorporated drag in order to provoke audiences, treating the idea of queerness or flamboyancy as unsavoury and entertainly repulsive, queer performers of the current day have worked to make a name for themselves in this art form. One drag artist in particular, by the name of Sweet Pickles, has gained notoriety for her creative, bold looks inspired by clowns and dolls. Another popular figure would be Jimbo the Drag Clown, who was featured in several versions of RuPaul's Drag Race and has made a name for herself by merging her intense passion for theatre with her work in drag.
Efforts have also been made to ensure that circuses are more inclusive, equitable, and humane for both the performers and audiences. Side-shows and freak shows have been, very fortunately, discontinued, and there are now many instances of circuses ensuring that they treat disability with the utmost respect and mindfulness.
Despite how broad clowning has become, it can be deeply personal. It is integral that we keep in mind that clowning means something different to everyone who partakes in it. Clowning and circuses are, for many, a profound passion where individuals can express themselves and express how they view the world around them. Although birthday party clowns have fallen out of style, and clowning seems to be more horror-oriented than ever before, I believe that this artform as a whole will continue to live on in theatre and entertainment for a long time. As we have learned, clowning (and its predecessors) have been around for centuries, and it will continue to change to continue to reflect the society it is within.