I didn’t really choose it. I didn’t want to be a performer; when I was a kid, actually I was pretty shy. I just kind of started doing it and going with the flow.
Where are you working right now?
Right now we’re doing a buskers’ show on the stages for the Fringe Festival. I’m doing a duo act with David Fiset. Our show is called Duo Hoops. It’s an acrobatic hula-hoop comedy show.
Did you have to go to school to learn your craft?
I actually went to the U of A. I have a degree in international development studies, which I finished in Ontario. I learned hula hoops in Montreal, and then I started performing. Last year I went to a clown animation program at the Quebec City Circus School.
Does your degree help you in your present line of work?
I do mix this quite a bit with what I studied. I wanted to do development work in developing countries and I do social circus projects in Haiti, Africa, and the Northwest Territories. I have a performing aspect to my social ethics.
What’s the toughest part of your job?
It’s a lack of routine and stability. Just not knowing where your favourite store is or a place to buy groceries.
What is life on the road like?
You kind of just make wherever you are home really fast. You meet people really fast, you say goodbye to people really fast. Most of my best friends are also on the road because that’s the life I’m in. So I have a lot of really great e-mail relationships with people.
How many festivals have you done this year?
Uh... I’d say 10, maybe.
Okay, how many days are you at home?
Yeah, that’s a better question. Maybe about four. Enough time to do laundry and water the dying plants.
What’s the best part about your job?
Having the whole public laughing at the same time is a pretty amazing feeling. I’m also a very physical person, so the fact that I get to do something with my body all day is great.
Do you screw up your routine very often?
In our show this weekend for our finale I spin a hula hoop around my waist while David stands on my shoulders and juggles fire. But it was super-windy that day and [his torches] wouldn’t light. So he’s up there and says, “Uh... it won’t light.” So he gets down and he’s trying to light it and then he says to me, “Come here.” So we were both looking at it and then he scared the daylights out of me when he suddenly shouted “BOOM!” It was a problem that could have caused some people to freak out, but it turned out to be hilarious.
What do you do when you make a mistake?
The amazing thing about clowning is that it’s kind of a gift from God every time you make a mistake, because clowning is all about being genuine and being real. When something goes wrong, it’s a real problem, so real emotions come up. The more I perform, the less I freak out when there’s a problem. Now I’m like, “Great! Cool! What’s going to happen?”
Where do you get your paycheque?
The majority of the shows we do, especially in the summer, we do them for hats. Whatever the people think the show is worth in the end, they pay us.
How much do you think your show is worth?
For the average person watching it, I’d say that it’s worth at least $5. We pay to be here. We pay for the stage and for the technicians and our own plane tickets and accommodations.
