“Lite” August, NOT “Lazy” August 

I love my clown customers! They always come up with great ideas for the Moose Newz. I was talking with a friend/customer recently and we got to chatting about the advent of the “Lite Auguste” or European-Style Auguste” style of make-up. He asked me what I thought about it. That sure is a loaded question! There really is no easy answer. So it is better to write an article about it.  

This light style of make-up is all the craze in the clown world right now. And as it goes with fads, people get the mistaken idea that “If it is new, it MUST be replacing something that was wrong.” You will hear blanket statements that justify this new look like “Whitefaces are scary”, or “The kids like it better when I wear less make-up”. I am sure there are some scary Whitefaces, and also some scary traditional style Auguste make-ups. But this new style of make-up should not have us all tossing away our traditional faces.  

A little history might help. I noticed this lack of make-up in two places. David Larible came to town with Ringling Brother’s Barnum and Bailey Circus as their featured European clown. David is an award winning clown. He had a different look that was more in tune with the Cirque Du Soleil shows that Ringling was competing with. The traditional clown was put on the backburner. I personally know of many Ringling clowns who were just as good of performers as Mr. Larible, but they did not bear the distinction of being from Europe. Ringling was looking for something different. Since then the show has hired home-grown clowns with a more theatrical look. Alan Ware and his Grandpa character come to mind. 

Michael Christensen came to the first Mooseburger University in ’94 to teach hospital clowning with the Big Apple Clown Care Unit. His team brought attention to the need of entertaining patients, family members, and hospital staff. It also legitimatized the idea of a more theatrical look of make-up with idea of “less is more”. No wigs, fewer big red noses. Michael Christianson appeared in Life Magazine with a full page spread about the Clown Care Unit of the Big Apple Circus out east.  

Both Larible and Christensen wear a very theatrical style of make-up. Michael is a Tramp clown, but encouraged a different look for the clowns in his Clown Care Unit. Big Apple hired a high level of performing clowns.

Putting on a good clown make-up -- regardless of lite or traditional style -- still takes practice, skill and good product. You need to work with the face God gave you and make the most out of it. Bone structure, facial features, smile lines and hairlines all come into play on each person’s face. Too many people who have adopted the “Lite” look are seeing this style of clown face as a way of getting off easy when it comes to the make-up. I have never quite understood why someone wanted to be a clown…without really wanting to look like one. I call this “Lazy” Auguste syndrome vs. “Lite” Auguste. 

Now before you send me a blazing email defending this type of make-up, hear me out! I think there are very good reasons to adopt a lighter look. A more theatrical or human look works great if you are portraying a well-developed character (for example, David Larible was a gold clown award winner at Monte Carlo!) like a doctor, nurse, princess, elf, or fairy godmother.  

Karen Bell is one of my absolute favorite clowns! She started out with a traditional auguste face. Now, after years of performing, her character has become wonderfully developed. So has her style of make-up; it fits her character perfectly. She also does a great job with this make-up. It involves blending and shading that makes her face look like a great character. She doesn’t wear a wig; she uses her own hair and clips pieces of colored yak hair to complete her wild look 

Mark Renfro has a wonderful light look. He tops it off with a great red domed hat. Brenda Marshall and Marcela Murad, former whiteface clowns, have developed delightful faces and costumes. There is no question that a lot of thought went into their change and the completed new look.  

Janet Tucker of Indiana brought up a very interesting point during a lecture I was giving on Lite Auguste. I must paraphrase, “Does a brand-new clown really have the skills to pull off a performance when they are wearing a few dots on their faces and clothes that look like they came from thrift store? They better be a pretty good performer to pull it off.” 

She has a very good point! If you lighten up the make-up, remove the wig, and wear more normal clothes…hmmm. I just think it makes it more difficult for some people to feel like a clown and give a good performance. A beginner clown will find a wig and a colorful costume an asset, a sense of confidence. You “look” like a clown as you learn how to “be” a clown.    

Now for some folks, less make-up is an absolute necessity. There are certain health issues that make putting on a traditional face difficult, if not impossible. I am talking about poor eyesight, tremors, health concerns, allergies, reactions to medication interacting with the make-up, and even a lack of confidence. I believe we all should work within our abilities and not put judgment or pressure on others. I will be the last one to point a finger at someone and say, you are a “Lazy” Auguste not a “Lite” Auguste.  

That is something that springs forth from your heart. I chose to do a “lite” character when I performed with my daughter at some Girl Scout functions. The idea was not to be “Pricilla Mooseburger” costume diva, but to be “Pricilla Mooseburger, Julia Bothun the Girl Scout’s Mom”! That day required a lighter look and different costume so I would not overshadow my young daughter. We were a team that day and I wanted to look like it. 

So, we have established that there is a reason for this kind of clown face. I believe it is here to stay. I support those who do it for the right reasons and who make it work to develop a true clown character enhanced by their make-up choices. So, now the question is, how do you put on a great “Lite” Auguste make-up? Here are some things to consider: 

The biggest difference is the base or foundation. Some folks are skipping the foundation or Auguste color all together when they develop these clown faces -- That is a big mistake! While it speeds up the makeup process, it dumbs down the look. Foundation evens out your skin tone, compliments the other colors you will use, and gives you a very theatrical appearance. It gives you a great base to work off of for blending and creating interesting facial highlights.  

Any woman who wears cosmetics will tell you she wears a good foundation to brighten skin tone and get a fresh look.  Skipping the base is fine if you are working with little children. But most of us can benefit from the extra coverage. You can achieve this with two different products. Greasepaint and water-based pancake make-up. Greasepaint, of course, is just what it says: a petroleum and sometimes lanolin based product that needs to be powdered to set it, and not be sticky.  

The water-based pancake make-up is not waterproof like grease, but it is sweat resistant. The plus is that clean up is easier. This make-up can be put on with a damp sponge. It is much lighter than the grease. Pancake make-up is stage make-up originally made for the theater. It is not new to clowning, but is gaining a larger audience with the lighter look.  Pancake make-up comes in a variety of shades. You can pretty much match any skin tone. The old orange and pinkish foundation colors are out. Natural colors are in – take a look at some of the newest natural colors by Mehron that Mooseburger is carrying. 

You also can mix your mediums, if you like. This works very well for people who have trouble with putting the heavy greasepaint around their eyes. You can use a pancake foundation and white, and then switch to red greasepaint for a more durable mouth. Remember to powder any greasepaint that you use. Don’t forget the base! Whether you are using greasepaint or pancake, a good base give you a very professional look! Dry rouge has grown in popularity for both men and women. It gives a realistic yet comic blush to the cheek and makes for a very friendly face, because of its soft, blended edges.  

Don’t forget the highlights! Black eyebrows, freckles, and small amounts of outlining really make your face pop. When people skip this step, they look like a washed-out watercolor painting. You can add eyelashes, glitter, character noses, and anything else that speaks to the character you are developing. The same goes with your costume. But I think that will have to be another article for another day!  

Here are a few more examples of “Lite” Augusts I think displays the versatility of this style of make-up and helps to make the points I made. 

Pricilla

Pricilla’s Update 
 

One of my favorite places to go each year is Clown Town in Newark, Ohio. It is run by a group of big-hearted folk whose main goal is to educate clowns in a fun and friendly way over a jam-packed weekend that features a parade around the city square.  

Children from around the area get autographs from all the clowns on a special t-shirt. If the kids don’t have a t-shirt they often ask to have their arms signed as well! The event is run by the Town Clowncil and its mayor. Every year a Dean of Clown Education is chosen.  I have had the honor of being the Dean of Clown Education. I do feel it is a big honor.  

I love this event because the people who run it do it for all the right reasons. They celebrate the art of clowning. They touch my heart with their hard work and generosity. God Bless Clown Town and its Clowncil!  Check out their website: www.clowntown.org.  

Here are a few snazzy snap-shots of a few of the folks who came by the PMO booth that weekend: 

Take a look at lovely “Loopy” in the last photo – that dress is our “Cutest Clown Dress” style and is 10 years old.  She wears it all the time and just machine washes it normally according to directions…it still looks fantastic!  What a testament to the durability of our costume construction -- you can’t keep a good Mooseburger down! 
 

Another Happy Customer! 

…this one is a little belated, but that’s okay… 
 

~  Jesse Highley is the one of the left with blue hair  ~ 
 

“I don't think I ever got around to sending you any pictures of the costume you made me for my First of May year on Ringling. Thank you for making it a great one! Because I came in on the second year of the tour and they no longer update the program, a photo never made it in.

It definitely helped not having to worry about my costume falling apart when dealing with all the rest of the stresses that came with being a First of May. My second year, Feld wanted me to become a white face and at the last minute decided to have the company make my costume. It fell apart by the time we hit Orlando. The costume you made for me looks as good today as it did the first time I put it on.” 

Thanks Again, 

Jesse Highley

Red - 04, 05, Blue – 06 
 

Thank YOU, Jesse!  We love to hear from our friends, so please send us photos of you in your Mooseburger costume and a story we can share in the next issue of Moose Newz!  Just send it to: katie@mooseburger.com.  Thanks again! 
 

Moose Camp Update 

We are less than two months away from the best week of the year, and we couldn’t be more excited!  For those of you who are registered, be looking in the mail for your exclusive Clown Workbook.  We have been shipping them out all this week, so you should get yours any day now.  When you get your Clown Workbook, be sure to read over the schedule, courses, and workshops very carefully.   

If you have already sent in your complete PEP form, you can expect to get a phone call from Pricilla in the next couple of weeks.  If you have not yet sent in your PEP form, please email, fax, or snail-mail those in to us ASAP!  The PEP Talk (which is short for Personal Education Plan) is an integral part of your Moose Camp experience.  This one-on-one phone conversation with Pricilla helps you determine which of the six main courses to take, and also get some direction on all those great workshops.   

There are two other forms which need to be returned to us at your earliest convenience:  Travel Form and Health/Emergency Form.  You can send those back by email, fax, or snail-mail: 

Email: info@mooseburger.com

Fax: 320-963-6692

Snail Mail:  Moose Camp, P. O. Box 700, Maple Lake MN 55358 
 

We hope you have your thinking caps on for your costume idea for the Hobo Dinner, and we can’t wait to see what you bring in for the Ralph Pounder Memorial Scholarship Auction!  If your auction donation is too large or clumsy to bring on the plane, you can always mail them ahead of time to the address above – just remember to tuck a note in the box explaining that it’s for the auction. 
 

By now, you should be making arrangements for your travel.  Please be sure to read the timelines laid out for you on this page: http://www.mooseburger.com/camp/travel.html -- this way, you will be assured of getting to Moose Camp on time and not missing your flight!  Don’t miss the bus! 
 

If you have any lingering questions about your registration, education, or anything else, just let us know!  You can call us toll-free at 800-973-6277 or internationally at 320-963-6277, or simply send an email to info@mooseburger.com. 
 

SALES 
 

Make-up Special:

$1.00 OFF All make-up used for doing the “Lite” Auguste style: 
 

Foundation Tubs, 1.25 oz. Colors: Lite Auguste, Auguste Regularly $7.00, now just $6.00!

CreamBlend Sticks, 0.75 oz. Colors: Warm Natural Tan, Juvenile, Ruddy Bronze, Mid-Lite Olive, Auguste, and Lite Auguste Regularly $8.50, now just $7.50!

StarBlend Cake Make-up, 2.0 oz. Colors: White, Warm Natural Tan, Juvenile, Ruddy Bronze, Mid-Lite Olive, Auguste, and Lite Auguste Regularly $8.00, now just $7.00!

Celebre Dry Pressed Powder Blush, .11 oz. Colors: Wineberry Pink, Bold Red Regularly $6.00, now just $5.00!

Clown White Lite, 8 oz. $2.00 OFF this Large container, perfect for “Lite” makeup! Regularly $10.00, now just $8.00!

You can find ALL these spectacular deals on our sales page: “Pricilla’s Picks” or by phone: 800-973-6277 or 320-963-6277.