Clown hopefuls gather to audition with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College.  (photo: REUTERS/Feld Entertainment/Handout)

It’s tough to find a job nowadays.  But you know who’s hiring?  The circus.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus held auditions for its Clown College recently.  And let me tell you…it’s hard getting into Clown College.  There are no official numbers published, but apparently thousands of people apply each year, and maybe a few dozen get in.  Statistically speaking, this means you’d have a better shot getting into Harvard.

According to Tim Holst, a 35-year veteran of the circus and now a talent scout, finding a good clown is like finding a diamond in the rough.  He says a good clown has to be funny, magnetic, adaptable to different situations, and able to communicate with an audience in a huge arena.

As with most things, it takes a lot of work to be good at something, even if you get into Clown College.  It takes 5-10 years to be a good clown, 10-20 to be a great one.

The male-to-female ratio is tilted heavily towards males:  8 to 1.  So any ladies out there (and guys too) who want to unleash their inner clown, you don’t have to wait for them to hold auditions in your town.  You can apply to Clown College or find out more by going here.  

The article.

Thanks to G!  Who was accepted into Clown College, but then withdrew once she found out that playing with sharp objects was prohibited.

P.S. – I haven’t forgotten about your submissions.  There’s a bunch of stuff waiting to be posted, but right now, I’m going to sleep.  I’ll do my best to get caught up this week.