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Billy Boy started out with an interest in Clowning many years ago, but only
had a chance to fulfill the dream through another clown he was working with
in 1989. She brought him to a meeting of Cousin Otto’s Clown Alley and got
him started. Next was a weekend Clown Encounter sponsored by the Clown of
Fame. As face as a hobo was created and a costume was assembled. It would be
another year before having a real costume and shoes. With the help of other
clowns in the alley a character evolved into Boxcar Billy the Tramp.
As Billy was learning clowning he was also active in the American Legion and
The Forty and Eight Society. His clowning was put to use in parades,
veteran’s hospital visits and children’s parties. He was part of a group
that formed for the purpose of entertaining children at the National
conventions of the Forty and Eight. At their first and second meetings,
Billy was elected President each time. Billy attended children’s parties in
San Diego, Knoxville, Omaha, Virginia Beach, and Orlando.
Now the intensive training began, and continues now. Attending Clown Camp at
University of Wisconsin Lacrosse,
Clown Hall of Fame
classes,
World Clown
Association Conventions, Western Regional Clown association Conventions,
Midwest
Clown Association Convention, International Face and Body Painting
Convention and the Twist and Shout Balloon Twisting Conventions.
Billy Boy met Cuddles at a meeting of the Clown alley. She asked for his
help in making some props for her show at the Circus Parade Grounds. This
developed into a courtship and marriage at the Circus World Museum. His
character changed into an Auguste Clown and resulted in a change of
entertaining style. A new face was designed and new costumes and shoes were
obtained. Cuddles and Billy now perform together full time and have become
very well known and popular.
Working together they have developed a unique style of performance, Cuddles
does the Face Painting, Billy does the balloons and magic at most birthday
parties, daycares etc.
Cuddles can do everything Billy does but her Face Painting far out shadows
everything else.
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Cuddles started her
training when brought by a member to a meeting of Cousin Otto’s Clown alley
in Delavan, WI. She
immediately became interested in becoming a clown.
Cousin Otto himself and Lefty the clown took her under their guidance and
helped her get started. Through the next few years her character evolved
from a First of May White Face to the August character she is now. (A First
of May is what a new clown is called their first year. It goes back to the
start of Circus Clowning)
Cuddles received training and worked with many well known clowns and members
of the Clown on Fame. Some of them are Cousin Otto, Jim Howle, Frosty
Little, Richard Snowberg, Mr. Clown (Earl Chaney), Homer (Don Burda),
Buttons (former Ringling Advance Clown) and many more.
Formal training was received at University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse, Clown
Camps; World Clown Association Conventions, Clowns of America International
Conventions, Western Regional Clown Association
Conventions, Midwest Clown
Association Conventions, International Face and Body Painting
Conventions,
British Face Painting Convention in Telford, England, and many smaller
regional seminars. She has had private face painting lessons with the Wolf
Brothers, formally with Disney, Universal and Sea World in Orlando; Ginny
the Artiste from Canada and Olivier from Belgium.
As a result of this experience and training, Cuddles as evolved into an
instructor, teaching at some of the above conventions. She has also taught
basic clowning and balloon work at local schools.
Cuddles and Billy Boy (the former Boxcar Billy) were married in the big top
at Circus World Museum
in Baraboo Wisconsin. Everyone was in clown costume
or red noses for the ceremony. Even the minister was a clown. Homer gave her
away, Stubbles was the ring bearer, Cousin Otto was best man, Tickles was
maid of honor and the Ringmaster, and Kimball Keller came from Sarasota,
Florida for the ceremony.
After marriage the two went on to work
full time as a Clown Duo. Working
together they can provide a wide range of services to their customers.
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