Clown class graduates
“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” said North Fort Myers resident Kent Sheets. “That’s my favorite quote.”
You may have seen Sheets – aka, “Ka-Yo The Clown” – at local and regional events. He recently conducted a “clown college” for local residents to learn the fine art of clowning.
All adopted names and personas. Ray Cahoon was “Lost;” William Cavannaugh, “Doc Ding-A-Ling;” Ellen Larochelle, “Josi;” Dennis Densmore, “Okie-Dokie;” Becky Fitzgerald, “Doodles;” Peggy Milnes, “Swivels” and Richard (Rick) Minnick, “Mr. Bubbles.”
They completed instruction in clown make-up, balloon sculptures, magic, face painting, parades, skit performance and additional entertainment classes.
“Each member gave an entertaining performance for their graduation,” said Sheets. Jack Wilda, known as “Wishful,” also helped instruct the group.
“It was an six-week class and we had a great time,” said local entertainer Ray Cahoon. “The graduation was also a lot of fun. It was held at Lee Memorial auditorium with quite a few in the audience.”
For those who know Cahoon, he has sung the National Anthem at Boston Red Sox Spring Training games for the last eight years and regularly performs at area nursing homes.
“I also want to make it part of my routine, in my private act of going out to nursing homes and singing,” he said.
Cahoon isn’t the only one that will put clowning around to good use. Local active volunteer Ellen LaRochelle said she and others plan on visiting hospitals and more.
“I had a blast at the classes and I wish I’d done this 30 years ago,” LaRochelle. “It’s so much fun and to be able to help children in a hospital. You make them smile.”
She said she’s highly recommend the classes.
“We enjoyed them immensely and they cover all aspects of being a clown,” she said.
What did she enjoy most?
“Probably doing balloon animals and face painting, and deciding the clown you wanted to be,” she said.
Sheets has been into clowning for the last 15 years.
“A friend of mine who works for the fire department invited me to go to a fire college, where they do clown training for fire departments and their volunteers,” he said.
Why do fire departments offer the training?
“It works because children will remember a fire safety message when a clown comes to school,” he said.
He said he and other clowns started giving classes 10 years ago locally, developing a wide curriculum.
“The main class is working on their clown character and the make-up on their face,” Sheets said. “Everyone does their clown persona differently with the costume and the face paint.”
With men, make-up is challenging.
“It’s more difficult for guys to put on make-up than women,” he said. “Women are used to it, it’s second nature to them, but once men learn they love it. One of the hardest thing is putting on eyeliner.”
His personal favorites parts of clowning?
“I enjoy skits, magic and balloons,” he said. “The balloons are a kid magnet. You can pull out a bag of balloons and kids will come out of the woodwork.”
He said he got a magic kit from his parents when he was a child.
“I didn’t do anything with it, I didn’t do magic until I got into clowning,” he admitted.
His top trick is called the “Jumping Rubber Band.”
“It’s an old, old trick,” he said. “You put the rubber band on two fingers and it jumps on your other two fingers right before your eyes.”
He said it’s a trick that’s been around about for over 50 years.
“You can find it a magic book in the children’s section of a library, and it still works,” he said.
Sheets is originally from northwest Ohio, outside of Toledo. He and wife Barbara moved to North Fort Myers over 20 years ago.
“We’re been in the same for the same house for those 21 years,” he said.
He said his wife is very supportive. They have six grandchildren and he has done “the clown thing” for all of them.
“They’ve all seen me at the children’s Edison Parade,” he said. “Once they hear my voice, they knew who I was.”
Sheets and graduates are active in the community.
“We’ve done the Spring Festival and Clown Week is Aug. 1 through 7,” he said. “Usually we go around in the North Fort Myers area doing shows, including the North Fort Myers Library for the last three years.”
If you would like clowns performances or for information on future classes, call Sheets at 995-8881 or e-mail: SheetsKent@aol.com.