Red Nose Performance Notes—The Inner Principles of Performing for Young Children or People with Severe Physical and Mental Disabilities

1. You can speak, but speak slowly and gently. Language, emotion, and physical movement must become one.
2. The performance content must be simple, direct, and get to the point. Do not become attached to complicated stories or character plots—they only serve to satisfy the performers’ own sense of achievement (or insecurity).
3. Do not be afraid of repetition. On the contrary, repetition can help build connection and rhythm.
4. Do not expect the audience to respond immediately. They often need more time to respond, or may not respond at all. But that does not mean there is no connection or that the performance is ineffective. On the contrary, every movement and action of the performer has already left an imprint on their body and heart. (Sometimes they do not respond until after the clown has left.)
5. Music is incredibly important. Music is the common language of all humanity and an important means of expression that transcends culture and age. Music is the language of the human soul.
6. Bright colors, simple geometric shapes, and slow, rhythmic movements can all attract the audience’s attention.
7. The content of language or lyrics is sometimes less important than how something is spoken or sung. Improvising a song by repeating the same words (such as the audience member’s nickname) can resonate more deeply than a thousand words.
8. Feel the heart-to-heart connection between you, and be with them. Sometimes the clown is not there to show how amazing they are (in fact, most of the time clowns fail), but simply to be with them, spend a precious period of time together, and discover the beauty of the world together.
9. Know how to listen. Know how to be humble. Know how to learn from the other person.

Looking forward to the day we return to performing in hospital wards~