The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 15

Decatur, Illinois, Thursday, September 14, 1978 PAGE FIFTEEN Peggy Williams gives up speech career, becomes a circus clown "Decatur Daily Review Family Section 2 with kids with every kind of handicap as well as normal children. I think this is the best opportunity for anyone who wants to work with special youngsters." But breaking the all-male precedent of Clown Alley had its difficulties. "At first they didn't think I'd last a year," she laughed behind the makeup. "The first year we hit all the big cities like New York and Los Angeles. The newspaper people kept saying 'Describe the history of clowning in I didn't know the answers and had to do a lot of library research." Clown Alley also didn't have a women's dressing room.

All 27 clowns dressed together in a huge area. "I wound up in the ladies' room putting on my makeup and changing costumes," Miss Williams said. With other female clowns in the crew now, a Ms. Clown Alley has been added. Getting ready for the twice daily shows takes about 45 minutes.

In the course of a three-hour show she changes costumes a dozen times. By Mardy Fones Be a clown! Be a clown! Peggy Williams, the first female clown with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, heard that cry eight years ago. It changed her career from speech pathologist to clown and opened doors for women in a previously all-male profession. Decked out in orange hair, a clown white face with rhinestone tear drops under her eyes, a fluorescent green shirt and giant white tennis shoes. Miss Williams came to Decatur recently.

She was here to promote the circus, which opens a three-day run Friday at the Assembly Hall in Champaign. A graduate of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus Clown College in Florida, she saw the circus as a career where communication and helping were important. "I thought there were other ways to help people besides spending my life in a clinic. I was right. "In the past seven years I've worked ing, the circus people support one another, like any small community.

But, just like anyone's family: "Some relatives you like to. spend more time with than others," she laughed. The circus is on the road 50 weeks a year. The circus changes its whole repertoire each year, coming up with new stunts, costumes and scenery always trying to improve. "The next audience doesn't know how good you were yesterday," she said.

"If you stay the same or get worse, there's always someone waiting to get your job." And Miss Williams wouldn't give up her job for the world. One of 2,000 per- sons who competed for a position at the circus's clown college, she was 'one of 50 who made the grade. Many of the clowns are college graduates, others high school dropouts, some are lawyers, plumbers, even priests. What kind of humor does a clown need? "Oh, every clown has different qualities, some are sophisticated, others are guffaw. But whatever it is, it must be well-defined." While the humor must be obvious, the anonymity of the clown's face protects him or her from the public spotlight that other stars find.

"If you have to be in show business, it's good to have a field where people aren't going to recognize you. I've seen many lives ruined by recognition." Miss Williams sees more years in the Ting ahead of her, eventually followed by a home where she can haVe the hand loom that won't fit in her tiny train cabin and walls to display her 35mm abstract photography. "Eventually I'll run out of the kind of energy I'm putting out at the circus and can see a husband and children. But," she laughed, "I can see a contradiction there. You can't ride an elephant or do acrobatics when you're pregnant." "I designed my own makeup," she said.

"In coming up with a face, I studied the way different parts of my face moved and worked around that. We also try not to copy any other clowns." In the ring, no natural facial tone shows. Decked out in bright colors and outrageous clothing, she tries to appear "like a toy to the audience." Cirus life has changed considerably since, the days of horse-drawn wagons and big top tents. The 300-member troupe travels in a 37-car train. Miss Williams, like other circus members and families, has a one-room cabin on the train complete with a small kitchenette.

For the last two years she's been traveling in her own car, often camping with other circus people between engagements. "Traveling on the train is very much like a family situation," she said, not- Emotional experience may end the romance Your Horoscope Jeane Dixon SS Your birthday Friday: Recent events have created restricting conditions that should be overcome soon. An emotional experience could end one romantic relationship, but set in motion more productive one. Happiness will be in abundance after long dry spell. Shy reserve helps.

Health problems should be minor. Unexpected change in business climates aids financial status. ARIES (March 21-April 19): The unknown could hold a hidden fascination for you today. Part of this could be your reluctance to wake up, face reality now. Relationship with authority figure clouds career decision.

Sharpen tools of trade. Pursue romance cautiously. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don't push so hard. Devote self to observing. Diplomacy is important in resolving money problems, too.

Put off romance. Pay close attention to doctor, dentist advice. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emphasis on home, environment. Gain support through diplomacy, not threats. Relationship with member of opposite sex reaches showdown.

Choose happiness over intrigue and romance will bloom. Honors possible. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Avoid show-down with relatives, in-laws. Expect added responsibilities. Use positive approach.

Good news expected from someone you longed to love, but never could reach. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Watch spending. Time to revise family budget! Handle sensitive business matter early in day. Ask favors of influential people before noon.

Loved one will be source of helpful insight. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Much tact, diplomacy needed with loved ones. Older person surprises you with generosity with no 'strings attached.

Think positively around mate or romantic partner. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Co-workers (intractable. You're better off working by yourself.

Health causes minor slowdown. Money picture more promising than ever. Friendships fine, but forget about romantic urges. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov.

21): Money worries apt to haunt you. Problem is future demands. Expenses continue to mount. Banker could provide answer to this dilemma. Second job a but could jeopardize health.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Secret love affair could culminate in engagement. Married couples apt to take each other for granted. Loyal friend shares inside information to help business.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Prestige, status will boost ego considerably. Business partners can be contrary. Distant affairs show financial gains.

Friend acting in your behalf will have good news. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don't accept advice from fast talker. He or she may be interested in your money.

Exercise restraint in social situations. Stick to tried, true friends. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Modify or abandon mutual plans. Personal ambitions will conflict with mate.

If single, be wary of member of opposite sex who sounds too good to be true. Trust your intuition. Staff photos by Herb Slodounik Clown Peggy has Randy, left, and Ronny (triplet sons of the Monroe Riddles) in awe as she types and is then entangled. Clown school accepts 50 each year SHOP FOR EXPERT SEWING MACHINE REPAIR See The Experts A STEWARTS SEWING CENTER 1647 E. Eldorado 422-0921 mm, K-M ART PLAZA Ht.tnzi bkiimu ine wnoie hamuy EVERYDAY IS DISCOUNT DAY The commencement is the final audition for fledgling clowns, many of whom receive contracts with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus.

For those interested in a career in clowning applications and further information is available through the Clown College, Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, P.O. Box 1528, Venice, Fla. 33595. START YOUR LAY AWAY TODAY Largest selection of trains.models.tavs Open Weekdays 9-9 Sat. 9-6 Sun.

12-6 roadrace games etc. Thrifty myms Mon Sat 9 a.m. 5 p.ra Bethany, IL HE Once admitted to the program, which is free, potential clowns learn the closely guarded secrets of the centuries-old profession. Skills taught include clowning, clown makeup, comedy acrobatics, juggling, unicycle riding, stilt-walking, mime, pantomime, yoga; elephant riding, web sitting, circus history, circus bands and music, and animal training and care. At the close of the eight-week semester, newly trained clowns, like students everywhere, have commencement exercises.

But instead of 'Pomp and the music is the familiar um-pa-pa of the circus. More Koreans watch TV Seoul, South Korea (AP). South Koreans had 3.8 million registered television sets at the end of 1977, or one for every 1.8 households, according to a government survey which indicated the figure was 35 percent over the previous year. Fall Co-ordinates now arriving Top name brands men and boys sizes 4 to 44 AT MARTIN'S Sept. 11 thru Sept.

23 FALL FRAME AND GIFT SALE Who hasn't threatened to run away and join the circus as a clown? For years the vagabond life under the big top has attractdd young and old. Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus Clown College of the Greatest Show on Earth keeps the clowns coming with a steady supply of pranksters trained by old-hand clowns. Of the 2,500 or so persons who apply each fall, 50 are accepted. Clown students come from every walk of life ranging in age from 17 to 35. Requirements for admission include a polishable sense of humor, curiosity, amiability, trustworthiness, steadiness of purpose, tolerance, flexibility, desire to communicate with others, good health, bountiful energy and stamina.

Black and White band to perform The Black and White jazz band will perform Friday at "Family Affair," a special event for residents of Decatur Housing Authority projects. The concert, sponsored by the Neighborhood Arts Program of the Decatur Area Arts Council, will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the park north of Ullrich School. Spectators should bring blankets or lawn chairs. In case of rain, "Family Affair" will be held in the Ullrich Neighborhood Center.

Free passes will be distributed to families in Longview and scattered site housing through the office of Laura Dennis, DHA community services coordinator. Free soft drinks will be provided by the Longview Resident Council. MARTIN'S WILL MAKE PICTURE FRAMES TO YOUR SIZE FOR GIFTS SAVE 25 to 50 ON CRYSTAL The I KAY'S SPORTSWEAR Get Ready for the Football games LARGE SELECTION of SWEATERS TAMI HEWLETT-ALBEE Sizes S-M-L 34 fry ncyuiar Price PEWTER PORCELAIN ALSO MANY FRAMES ALREADY MADE FOR PRICE SILVER PLATE CHINA Convenient Lay-away JSJ I 'V Open 9-9 Saturday 9-5 Sunday 15 imams GET THE JUMP ON CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MANY FINE SCULPTURES ON SALE NOW SAVE 25 to 50 ON FIGURES FLOWERS BIRDS ANIMALS, ETC. the "In Place to Shop" 135 east prairie decatur phone 217-423-3644 Watch For OUR GOLD STAR SPECIAL Each Week This week only Sept. 14-20 Boys Long Sleeve Shirts to Size 14 20 OFF ART DEPT.

SPECIALS Shop Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 9:30 Til Friday 9:30 Til 8:30 Visa Mastercharge PIXIE PAREL 25 Northgate Mall 2030 Mt. Zion Rd. WATCHES ONE OF A KIND DISPLAY SAMPLES SAVE 30 to 50 welcome PRINTS PHOTO FRAMES OIL PAINTINGS FRAMED PICTURES VERY LARGE FRAMES SAVE 40 SAVE 25 SAVE 50 SAVE 30 SAVE 25 I' 151N.WAT1 WATER OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 P.M. Open Workshops FREE Pay for materials only -MARIN CO. SAT.

10 AM wheat weaving: 1-3 glass ornament painting nHSj' P.M. woodbuming project Help Wanted Experienced Saleswomen interested in ladies ready-to-wear selling Part time and full time opportunities available Contact Mr. Creenberg f6r appointment Call 429-5225 SUN. Mini oil. winter scene 1 P.M.

-3 P.M. CARRIAGE HOUSE GIFTS CRAFTS Jewelers Art Dealers 112 E. Prairie Phone 422-1814 i-rjrrffi..