Dan “Fitzwilly” Langwell LaughingStock Productions -- www.laughingstockpro.com "Creating Memories - One Smile at a Time"

Looking for Work?

(leave your makeup home, but take your skills)

Do you want to work more? Perhaps we need to give the public more options. I’m not just talking about adding juggling, unicycling, or origami to the skills we already have. What about a halfway character, a character in between a regular person and a clown? A comical entertainer, an entertaining performer, basically a clown without the makeup. Having a character like this opens many a new door. Some businesses want entertainment but they may be concerned about customers or staff being afraid of clowns even if they themselves are not. Some people have had a bad experience with a well meaning but very amateur clown which has left them with reservations about our craft in general. For some it is cool to be afraid of clowns, but people still love to watch the antics of “undercover clowns” -- look at Robin Williams or Jim Carey.

There is an element of risk to performing “sans face.” We no longer can hide behind our secret identity. People see us, the real us. At first it seems like a risk but it is another step towards freeing the child inside of us. I still wear my Fitzwilly nametag when I am a comical entertainer. Many people still refer to me as “the clown.” That is exactly the response I want from the public. Fitzwilly is the clown they need at their next event whether he is in makeup or not.

This past year I did a number of gigs as a “comical entertainer” or “festive artist.” This saved the time of putting on the makeup, but I still wore my clown shirt and vest with my black slacks and comfortable shoes. My intention was to stand out in people’s minds. When Jane Q. Public saw a group of people crowded together I wanted her to be able to identify me even from a distance as being the entertainer. I did not want to be confused with the wait-staff at any of the restaurants I was working either. I just recently came across a comment by Tom Sikorski as quoted in The Funny Paper that I think really brings this point home. “Audiences expect a performer to create an exceptional experience… I think that if you don’t look out of place off stage – you don’t look special enough.”

This is not the usual thinking. Many times the public has the choice between a clown who hopefully knows what is going on, or a high school kid in ripped jeans and a baggy t-shirt who can twist a couple of flowers and swords, bought a face painting kit at Wally-world, or learned a couple basic magic tricks. Clowns are not just for little Julia’s birthday party. Clowning is for everyone.

The “secret,” if you can call it that, is to adjust to the market. There are plenty of articles about adjusting your look and your show for different age groups. Ideas such as wearing less makeup and a simpler costume for younger age groups are commonplace. Well, why not use this kind of thinking when considering the different needs of the public at large? We want to make it as easy as possible for people to hire us for their entertainment needs. We also want to retain that hard-earned image of professionalism we have strived for.

A couple of things to consider when working out of face:

· Use your clowning skills – Be entertaining, fun, and energetic

· Dress for success – Dress professionally but make it say “I’m the entertainment!”

What’s Happening in Mooseland…

I took a new “look” to our local care center with our clown club, The Clown Arounds. We were scheduled to do a show recently. I had a different costume that I have used for parades, but I wanted to try something different. I put together a new Auguste character. Now before you fans of my Pricilla Mooseburger character go nuts -- I am not ditching Pricilla Mooseburger the Whiteface! In fact, I am getting a NEW dress made for her as we speak. However, for last week’s event, I needed something light and fun; a casual outfit I could use for our nursing home shows, parades, and such. I still call myself Pricilla Mooseburger when I’m in this new look (after 23 years it’s kind of hard to break that habit). I was a little nervous at first, but by the time I got the whole thing together and headed out the door, I felt great!

I think I’ll write a newsletter about it…..stay tuned!

Cherry Mooseburger turned 15 on Jan. 13^th. Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes. My little bird is growing up and looking forward to getting her driver’s permit!

Thanks for writing that great article this month, Dan!

Pricilla

Make-Up Tip of the Month:

Don’t forget the clean up!!! How you take the make-up off is just as important as how you put it on! When I was on the circus we used Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo, or olive oil. Since most clown make-up is some kind of petroleum-based product (grease) you need something to cut the grease. Shampoo is geared to cut grease. Oil re-liquefies the grease on your face so you can wash it off more easily.

Now that I have 40-something year old skin, I prefer a make-up remover! It means less rubbing and scrubbing. I love Mehron’s solid make-up remover. You can purchase it by clicking here. There are other liquid removers that work great, but I don’t want that stuff leaking in my luggage! Plus, the airports are still limiting the amount of liquids allowed in your luggage, so a solid remover is a safe bet. Another great product is Huggies Baby Wash cloths – they save your bathroom towels from that first messy, gooey wiping of all the re-liquefied paint. Be sure to moisturize after you are done with your clean up! Dry skin sucks in the pigments of your make-up and is harder to remove, so moisturize before you begin, too.

Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp News!

Moose Camp 2010

July 27 – August 1, 2010 in Buffalo, Minnesota

We have created a

Moose Camp Mission Statement

“Our goal is to educate our students by inspiring self discovery, instilling confidence, and promoting joy. Our hope is our students will go out into the world and share what they have learned by putting smiles on the faces of people of all ages.”

And I mean every word of it! :o)

I have put the finishing touches on the Moose Camp schedule! Check it out here:

It is going to be a great year! The schedule features lots of NEW workshops and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study with former Ringling Clown College Dean Steve Smith! You don’t have to be a circus clown to benefit from Steve’s wealth of experience. He is an amazing inspirational speaker and teacher.

So think outside the box! Go out on a limb and come to camp. You will learn so much about yourself and about clowning even if you have been clowning for years. Do you want to be a better clown? It doesn’t matter what type of clowning you do, the Moose Camp experience inspires you to be the best clown “you” can be.

Still not sure camp is for you? Call me: 800-973-6277. I would be happy to talk to you about the benefits of camp and how a week with us can directly help you be a better clown. I talk to each camper and help them put together a comprehensive schedule BEFORE they get to camp. I call it our “PEP Talk” (stands for Personal Education Plan). Normally I do this with campers a month before camp begins. But if you are on the fence, call NOW and talk to me personally! I am happy to answer all your questions about how Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp can benefit you.

Pre-Registered?

If you were one of the dozens of clowns who pre-registered while you were still at Moose Camp in 2009, then you were promised a FREE t-shirt. You voted on your favorite design, and here is the winner:

Your free pre-registration t-shirts were mailed out last week, so be on the lookout for them in the U. S. Postal Service any day now. Wear them with pride and start counting down the days to July!

Early Birds?

Many campers are taking advantage of cheaper flights by coming in a day or two ahead of Moose Camp. If you are one of these “early birds,” we have some great news! The Best Western Dakota Ridge in Eagan (near the MSP Airport) is honoring the same special "Moose Camp" room rate as last year = $79. This is $10 lower then the lowest online booking price. They could only guarantee this rate until June 30th, so book your room early to get this great deal!

This special discount is only available by phone. Call the Best Western at 651-452-0100 and don’t forget to use our special discount code "Moose Camp” when you book your room.

Trying to save money? Why not share a room at Best Western and split the cost? Feel free to use our Yahoo Mooseburger group message board to find your roommate, or plan some fun events, or decide where to eat supper that evening. Please utilize that board to help you prepare for Moose Camp – it was made especially for YOU!

You can sign up with us for the round-trip shuttle which will pick you up at 1:00pm on July 27th at the Best Western and take you to Moose Camp, and then pick you up at 12:00 August 1st and bring you to the MSP Airport. Call 800-973-6277 for Moose Camp Shuttle info.

For more information, go to Mooseburger’s travel page:

REGISTRATION

At the time this newsletter went out, we had 48 registrations and 48 spots left – yes, we are exactly half-full already! WOW!

You can sign up online by clicking here, or download a mail-in registration form by clicking here, or register over the phone by calling 800-973-6277 (or 320-963-6277 for our International friends).

If you would like to find out more about Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp, please send a request to katie@mooseburger.com. Katie will email you a letter outlining every possible scrap of information you could possibly want to know. And if that letter DOESN’T answer your questions, please call us and let us know what we forgot to put in the letter – we want to make sure you are 120% prepared for the best week of your life!

Find out more online:

MOOSE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

Thank you to everyone who submitted applications for the Ralph Pounder Memorial Scholarship. The deadline has passed and we will not be accepting any more applications for 2010. I will be evaluating them and contacting the winners by April 1^st or earlier. Yes, that’s April Fool’s Day – but I won’t be playing any tricks on you! When you hear my voice on the other end of the phone telling you that you’ve won a $350 scholarship, it will be for real!

Other Mooseburger News….

“What’s in stock right NOW?”

You’ve asked for it, and we’ve listened! You’ve called and emailed us, asking, “What do you have ready to ship right now?” So, for those of you who need something immediately, we have added a NEW page to our online shopping cart: “In Stock Now.” We will be posting pictures of every new outfit and item here as soon as they hit the shelves! We will list the measurements and features so you can see if it will fit your body and your character before you even buy it. With this new shopping option, it will be even easier and faster to get a Pricilla Mooseburger Original costume of your very own!

In Stock Now at Mooseburger.com

Bookmark this page and check it regularly, because you never know when the perfect one-of-a-kind outfit will be posted!

Online at “Pricilla’s Picks”

Don’t forget to tell us the discount code “SWEETHEART”

FREE Walk-Around Prop!

We all love silly puns and plays on words, right? Here’s another “hair-brained” scheme for a parade prop! We will send you the hanger, two clothes pins, bunny, and sign in a clear page protector, for FREE! All you have to do is order at least $50.00 of in-stock merchandise and tell us the discount code “Sweetheart” and we’ll send you this parade walk-around prop as a FREE GIFT!

This bit is so simple to do: “Hey, do you want to see my new hair dryer?” Show the rabbit on the hanger then turn it around to show the sign. “Get it? Hare Dryer??? He’s just about done drying! He hates it when I fluff his tail!” It’s good old-fashioned silly fun!

Start shopping now!

NEW Noses!

Introducing ACME Nose Company! This new brand of noses are made of durable, flexible plastic and have an elastic strap to hold it on. There are nostril holes drilled at the bottom. It requires NO glue and is impervious to perspiration, makeup, and anything except a belt sander! Really, you can get almost anything on these noses and they clean up spotless. ACME makes these noses for the rough-and-tumble lifestyle of an active clown.

“Can’t do the glue? Then a string is the thing!”

INTRODUCTORY OFFER!

Add any in-stock ACME Nose to your order and get FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING on every in-stock item in your entire order!! WOW! Buy them online.

PRICE: $16.00 each

SIZES: Large, Medium, and Small

COLORS: Red, Pink

(These noses are NOT replacing Jim Howle Noses – we are proud to offer the MANY styles and colors and sizes Jim Howle noses and will continue to do so. These ACME noses are for folks who can’t use nose glue or the reckless type who need an indestructible nose to withstand all their extreme daring-do)

Sweet, Sweet Deals!

Cuddle up to these heart-felt savings and get them shipped in time for St. Valentine’s Day!

TIGHTS: Solid Red, Solid Pink, Red/White Striped

OVER-THE-KNEE SOCKS: Solid Red, Solid Pink, Red/White Striped, Pink/White Striped

-- 2 Pair for $12.00 (regularly $8.00 each)

-- Mix and Match styles and colors to save! Our over-the-knee socks are great for folks with larger calves because they are lighter weight and stretchier than our regular knee-socks. You can even pull them up just below the knee, you don’t have to go over the knee if you don’t want to. Give them a try!

RED COLLARS: Mini, Regular, Lou Jacobs

-- $20.00 each (regularly $24.00 and $26.00) in RED only

-- Each collar has a snap on the front to attach any bow tie!

Start shopping now!

Saving O’ The Green!

You’ll be as lucky as a leprechaun with these deals!

Stock up now for your St. Patrick’s Day events!

TIGHTS: Solid Green

OVER-THE-KNEE SOCKS: Green/White Striped with Shamrocks

-- 2 Pair for $12.00 (regularly $8.00 each)

-- Mix and Match styles to save!

KNEE SOCKS: Green/White Striped, Green/Yellow Striped, Green/Yellow/Purple Striped

-- 2 Pair for $16.00 (regularly $9.50 each)

-- Mix and Match colors to save!

GREEN COLLARS: Mini, Regular, Lou Jacobs

-- $20.00 each (regularly $24.00 and $26.00) in GREEN only

-- Each collar has a snap on the front to attach any bow tie!

Start shopping now!

Go online to order: www.mooseburger.com

Call in your order: 800-973-6277 (or 320-963-6277 for our international friends)

Fax your order: 320-963-6692

Terms and Conditions of Sales:

1. Orders with free Shipping & Handling offer are good only on orders being shipped to Canada and the US. Those orders will be shipped by U.S. Parcel Post or First Class, depending on weight and destination. Orders being charged Shipping & Handling will be shipped by Priority Mail.
2. You have to type the word “SWEETHEART” in the Discount Code box at the end of your online order, or write “SWEETHEART” somewhere on your fax-in or mail-in order, or tell the word “SWEETHEART” to the Mooseburger Salesperson on your phone-in order.
3. Supplies are limited. Offers are good only on in-stock items. Please note: Just because the item is displayed online does not mean it is in stock – all products are displayed online regardless of immediate availability. We try to update it everyday, but the site is not always 100% up to date with current stock. If you have any concerns, then call us before you place your order: 800-973-6277 or 320-963-6277. Click here for our Sales Page .
4. Good on phone-in, mail-in, fax-in, or online orders. Order must be placed during the month of February. This offer is not retroactive.
5. The Shipping & Handling will still show up on your online order confirmation; sorry, we cannot control that application online. However, rest assured that if you add one of the “FREE” Shipping & Handling items to your shopping cart, the Shipping charge will be deducted from your total before we process it. You will get an email titled “New Order from PMO” with your correct total.

Where in the World is Pricilla?

Join me at the events listed below – stop by my booth and say “HI!” You can keep track of my travel schedule online here. See you on the road!

February 6, 2010

APS Volunteer Clown Troupe Training

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Contact: Terry.Ricketts@aps.com

Here is a layout of the day’s schedule:

8:00am -- Coffee and doughnuts; meet and greet; shopping

8:45am -- Welcome!

9:00am -- Make-up Demo/Lab - Bring your make-up! Learn new application skills or design a new face. Pricilla will do some make-up on volunteers as well.

11:00am -- Lunch break; shopping - Pricilla is bringing a wide selection of Pricilla Mooseburger Originals products including wigs, Jim Howle noses, and costumes. Need something special? Email Pricilla BEFORE February 1^st to ensure we will be bringing what you need: Pricilla@mooseburger.com

1:00pm -- Spruce Up Your Look - Bring your costume for ideas on how to give it a new fresh look! Pricilla is full of practical costuming tips. Learn how to add a few accessories on to an existing costume new life without breaking the bank!

2:00pm -- Performance Skills for Every Clown - Here are the things every clown should know to have more fun and be more effective in any kind of performance!

3:00pm -- Finish up your shopping with Pricilla!

Texas Shrine Association Mid-Winter Conference
Location: Austin, TX
Contact Ronnie Lee: umpaclown@austin.rr.com

Clowns of America International Convention
Location: Houston, TX
Website: http://www.coai.org

Clown Town
Location: Newark, OH
Website: http://www.clowntown.org

Mooseburger Online!

Do you tweet? Are you a MyFaceSpaceBooker? Yahoo!

For those of you who spend a lot of time online updating your status and such, we would like to invite you to join us, friend us, follow us, and become our fan! :o)

PMO page on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mooseburgeroriginals

PMO group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pricilla-Mooseburger-Originals/106861439113?ref=mf

Moose Camp group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maple-Lake-MN/Mooseburger-Clown-Arts-Education/107834031486?ref=ts

Moose Camp group on Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mooseburger/

Moose Camp on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MooseburgerClownCamp

Pricilla on Twitter: http://twitter.com/pmooseburger

….overkill, you say? Heck no! We love being connected to our clown friends, and these online communities allow us to be even closer, no matter how many miles separate us. So drop by and say “HI” – whether it’s writing on our wall, posting to our profile, or tweeting a greeting! See you online!