Looking Back on the Life of Carlitos the Clown
[HOME]
"I ran away and joined the circus!"
I ran away with the circus and became fascinated with the professional Circus Vargus Clowns. Scott Parker gave me inspiration and encouragement to becoming a clown. He was an amazing performer. He could juggle clubs faster than your eyes could see. He had a great skit using a unicyle. I started learing how to juggle and Sabatine the clown taught me how to apply professional looking make-up, which to this day, I continue to follow the same high standards he taught me. I enjoyed being circus clown for the day doing a promotional spot at a local mall.
"I ran away from the circus to join a life!"
After leaving Circus Vargas a new found friend, David Bell, encouraged me to do some clowning in the community. He set-up a date for me to attend "Circus Days" at the local skating rink-Skate Connection. I started doing more clowning around after that and continued learning juggling and magic. A friend of my family, "Magic Bob" Sorrenson, a retired, professional magician encouraged me to take magic to a higher level. I have developed a magic routine suitable for stage performances as well as magic for face-to-face encounters. I then decided to go to the Arkansas Children's Museum and they asked me to do a magic show every other Friday night. They charged one dollar to get in and I kept all of the money. I had invested a great deal of time and money becoming a clown and it was nice to get something back for my hard work. I continued volunteering at every function that I could to get more experience. I started getting compliments like "You are better than the clown we paid money for." while I was volunteering. My sister who has a son, (my nefew Mikey) told me that clowns were getting paid good money.
"Do I have the skills to pay the bills?"
After hearing many compliments about my work I decided to start advertising and charging for my work. I looked at it as a business venture. I used my grandfather as an example. He had owned his own business so why can I start my own business. I advertized in the Penny Shopper and started getting calls. Many people in the community enjoy my work and are happy that I am here. I worked with Rainbow the Clown who lives in my area and she told me about face painting. It is very popular with children. I did research on the internet and found www.snazaroo.com for all the info I needed to get started. I go to Creative Settings in Brawley to get the non-toxic, FDA approved face paints that are designed for face painting. I don't use non-FDA approved make-up or craft paints that I see many other people use. I am getting an ad in the phone book soon and I hope to serve the community with the BEST entertainment that I can give.
Thank you for visiting my web site and come back soon to see added pictures.
Sincerely, Carlitos the Clown(Chuck Mason)
Appearances
- Agape Church Picnic, Little Rock, AR, 1994
- Albertson's, El Centro, CA, August 2002
- Arkansas Deaf-Blind Association's Spaghetti Dinner, Little Rock, AR
- Arkansas Children's Museum, Little Rock, AR, 1994
- Back-yard Birthday Parties: Arkansas, Calexico, El Centro, Imperial, Mexicali, Mexico, San Digeo County, 1994 - Present
- El Bosque de la Ciudad, Park in Mexicali, Mexico, September 2002
- Brawley Chamber of Commerce's "Touch of Culture Festival", April 2002
- Brawley Children's Faire, March 2002
- Campo Mosqueda, Baja California, Mexico, 1995 - present
- Circus Vargas, Public Relations, Security, My First Clown Experience 'Clown for the Day', 1991
- Crystal Hill Assembly of God, N. Litttle Rock, AR, 1993
- Deaf Awareness Day, San Diego, Balboa Park, September 2002
- El Centro Children's Faire, March 2002
- His Christian Fellowship Outreach, Escondido, CA, 2000
- Instituto del Cultura de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico, August 2002
- Lyon's Summer Day Camp, Brawley, CA, August 2001
- Mira Mesa Moose Lodge, Clown Class Graduation, Special Guest, Sept 2002
- Moose Lodge "Miss Moose America" Talent Contest Winner, August 2002
- The Mostly Theatre Company Summer Theatre Camp, Clown Workshop, El Centro, CA, July 2002
- Museo Sol del Niņo, Mexicali, Mexico, August 2002
- El Parque Vicente Guerrero, Park in Mexicali, Mexico, August 2002
- Pat Williams Park, Brawley, CA, May 2002
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Region V Conference, San Diego, CA, May 2002
- The Skate Connection, Little Rock, AR, 1993
- Wal-Mart-Calexico, company picnic, Calexico, CA, April 2002
Theatrical Experience
- Covenant Players, August 1996 - January 1998
- Palomar College, Romeo and Juliet-Paris' Page/Street Person/Party Goer, Beginning Acting Class, Creative Ensamble Acting Class
- Imperial Valley College, The Just Assassins-Boris, The Woman of Andros-Crito/Slave, Special Make-up: Old Age, Scars, Line Memorization Techniques Workshop
- Abraham Lincoln, Aging make-up and facial hair
- Warewolf make-up, Award for Best male make-up, Signs of Life Halloween Party
- Jesus 2002, San Diego County, John
- Performing Arts for the Handicapped, Our Town-Simon Stimpson, Lighting
- Silent Productions, Back-Stage Manager