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Clown School

Emmett Kelly

Clown School

By 1907, the "Greatest Show on Earth�" was formed when Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was during this time that the profession of clowning had reached one of its highest peaks. By the late 60's there were estimated to be fewer than 200 professional circus clowns in the entire United States. This number had dwindled dramatically by the late 1960's.

In 1967, Irvin Feld purchased the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, at which point there were only about 14 clowns remaining in the circus. To preserve the dying profession of clowns, Feld founded The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1968. Since then, more than 1,400 clowns have passed through the doors of the college.

The College was located in Venice at the old circus quarters for 25 years. It then moved to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin for three years. From there, the College moved to its current and last location at the Sarasota Opera House in downtown Sarasota, Florida.

On January 13, 1998, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Clown College closed its doors.
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