| *3:a : a [[fool]], jester, or comedian in an [[entertainment]] (as a [[play]]); specifically : a [[grotesque]]ly dressed [[comedy]] performer in a circus | | *3:a : a [[fool]], jester, or comedian in an [[entertainment]] (as a [[play]]); specifically : a [[grotesque]]ly dressed [[comedy]] performer in a circus |
| '''Clowns''' are [[comic]] performers stereotypically characterized by the [[grotesque]] image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish [[costumes]], unusually large footwear, and red nose, which [[evolved]] to project their [[actions]] to large [[audiences]]. Other less [[grotesque]] styles have also [[developed]], including theatre, television, and film clowns. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Berger Peter Berger] writes that "It seems [[plausible]] that [[folly]] and fools, like [[religion]] and [[magic]], meet some deeply rooted needs in [[human]] [[society]]". For this reason, clowning is often considered an important part of [[training]] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_theatre physical performance] [[discipline]], partly because tricky subject matter can be dealt with, but also because it requires a high level of [[risk]] and [[play]] in the performer. | | '''Clowns''' are [[comic]] performers stereotypically characterized by the [[grotesque]] image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish [[costumes]], unusually large footwear, and red nose, which [[evolved]] to project their [[actions]] to large [[audiences]]. Other less [[grotesque]] styles have also [[developed]], including theatre, television, and film clowns. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Berger Peter Berger] writes that "It seems [[plausible]] that [[folly]] and fools, like [[religion]] and [[magic]], meet some deeply rooted needs in [[human]] [[society]]". For this reason, clowning is often considered an important part of [[training]] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_theatre physical performance] [[discipline]], partly because tricky subject matter can be dealt with, but also because it requires a high level of [[risk]] and [[play]] in the performer. |