Photos of competition winners & competitors are posted at http://dtstudio.smugmug.com and will be available for purchase until the end of the year.

TEXAS CLOWN ASSOCIATION, INC.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES & RULES

I.          GENERAL

            TCA Competition Chairman

A.      The Board of Directors will appoint a Competition Chairman to serve at TCA conventions.

B.      The Competition Chairman will be responsible for maintaining all rules and guidelines for competition and judges.

C.      The TCA Competition Chairman and the Host Alley Competition Chairman will be responsible for obtaining judges for each competition at the convention.

D.      The Competition Chairman is the advisor to the Host Alley regarding rules and guidelines for the competition.

II.          Judging

A.      An uneven number, either 5 or 7, judges will be utilized in most competitions.

1.                   Selection

a.                   The TCA Competition Chairman will select all judges.

b.                   All judges must be TCA members in good standing and must have been certified as a TCA judge by the TCA Competition Chairman.

1.                   To qualify as a TCA judge, members must:

a.                   Have a minimum of five (5) consecutive years experience in clowning and makeup prior to the convention.

b.                   Have experience in clowning through public performances, education, and teaching the art of clowning or competition.  Competition experience should include placing within the top ten in international, regional, and/or local competitions.

c.                   Have attended a judging seminar conducted at a TCA annual convention (on or after September 30, 1999), or a COAI judging seminar, an ISCA judging seminar or any other judging seminar certified by the Competition Director.

A.                  Each judge will complete and sign his/her name on the appropriate score sheet for each participant in each category of competition.

B.                  All score sheets will be turned in to the Competition Committee for final tallying. When seven (7) judges are used the highest score sheet and lowest score sheet will be eliminated.  The remaining score sheets will be totaled and averaged.  In the case where only five (5) judges are used all score sheets will be added then averaged.  Score sheets will be distributed to contestants prior to the end of the convention.

C.                  No participant in the competition may speak to the judges during the competition, unless answering a direct question asked by one of the judges.

D.                  All judging will be done in the designated area, which will be announced by the Host Alley.

E.                  The decision of the judges will be final.

F.                  The judges reserve the right to recommend that the Competition Chairman disqualify participants in any competition category for an infraction of any competition rule or the TCA Code of Ethics.

III.         Eligibility of Contestants

A.                  A contestant must be a member of TEXAS CLOWN ASSOCIATION, INC. (TCA) as described in the TCA By-Laws.

B.                  A contestant must be registered for the convention at the full rate of registration.

C.                  All Host Alley members are eligible to compete, including the Convention Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Convention Treasurer, or any convention committee head, as long as their participation in competition does not conflict with their convention duties. 

IV.        Awards

A.      Trophies will be presented for First Place, Second Place and Third Place in the Make-up, Skit, Balloon, and Paradeability categories.  In the event of a tie, a duplicate award will be presented as soon as possible. Groups will be given one trophy but can purchase additional trophies.

B.      Beginning in 2005, a gold medal will be presented for the winner of the Performance category.

C.      All trophies and medals will be presented at the awards banquet during the convention.

D.      All trophies and medals will be approved and provided by the TCA Board of Directors.

V.         Conduct

A.                  All clowns must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while in costume and/or makeup.

B.                  Any clown whose conduct is deemed unfavorable by the judges, Convention Committee member or member of the TCA Board of Directors shall be disqualified from competition.

VI.        Competition Categories and Rules

A.      Makeup and Costume

All make-up categories will begin with a parade before the judges.  If a contestant is not present for the parade, the contestant will be disqualified.

There will be no “pose” as has been required at past convention competitions.  Instead each clown will “show his/her stuff” with a 15 to 45 second performance. With this addition, the competition becomes a rating of the complete clown and avoids being a clown beauty contest.  However, for any time beyond the stated time limits there will be a penalty of one (1) point per second.  The total penalty will be deducted from each judge’s total score by the scorekeepers.  The contestant should demonstrate a skill that does not take any set up time.  Props may be carried if they lend to the type of clown and the performance. 

1.         Senior Division

a.         Clowns 55 years of age or over prior to the date of competition.

b.         All makeup types will be judged as one category.

2.         Joey Division

a.         Clowns under the age of 55 years or those clowns 55 or over who choose to compete in this category rather than the Senior Division.

b.         Clowns may compete in only one of the following categories:

            1)  Whiteface

            2)  Auguste

            3)  Tramp/Hobo

            4)  Character

3.         Junior Joey Division

a.         Clowns who are at least 10 years but not more than 16 years of age prior to the date of competition.

b.         All makeup types will be judged as one category.

4.         Novice Division- any one who has never been judged in a state or national competition.  All types of makeup will be judged.

5.         Registration

a.         Registration for makeup/costume competition will be held in an area close to the registration of the convention. Registration will be available at the same time the convention registration is open.  Any other time will be at the discretion of the Competition Director.

b.         A random drawing will be done by the Convention Competition Committee at the close of registration.  A number will be assigned to each contestant, which will be the line up order for judging.  The list will be posted prior to the start of the competition.

6.         Procedures

a.         Only makeup applied by the contestants themselves will be allowed in competition.

b.         Wardrobe shall be suitable for clown’s character type and for clowning in general.

c.         A prop may be carried only if it is part of a clown’s character (what the public normally sees with the clown), but the prop may not be demonstrated in any way during the judging of the contestant (except when called for by the judges as a part of the performance requirement).

d.         Clowns should display their characters’ basic qualities or carriage from the time they enter the judging area.

e.         No performing by the competitor is allowed during the judging of the makeup and costume categories except when called for by the judges as a part of the performance requirement.

f.          A clown may enter only one (1) makeup category.

g.         Clowns shall line up in order as assigned by the competition committee at the designated time.

h.         Failure of a competitor to be present when the parade of competitors begins will result in disqualification.

i.          All clown identification tags, badges, or patches must be removed or concealed.  Identification is that which states one’s name, clown name, alley or club name.  Officially recognized associations such as TCA, COAI, WCA, or ISCA are acceptable.

j.          Each clown will be judged separately in the judging area in the order assigned by the competition committee.  The contestant will be asked to slowly turn and then demonstrate the performance requirement.  At no time will a judge touch a competitor.

k.         Appropriate provisions will be made for physically challenged participants.

6.         Makeup and Performance will be judged on criteria such as:

a.         Makeup Design

b.         Makeup Application

c.         Costume

d.         Accessories

e.         Wig/Head Covering

f.          Performance

B.         Skit Competition

1.         Single (Individual) Skit

Any skit which involves only one (1) clown.  May not be assisted by live voice off stage.

2.         Group Skit

Any skit that involves two (2) or more clowns.  Names of all participants must be listed on group sign-up sheet.  Use of stagehands or audience members is prohibited during the skit.

3.         Registration

a.         A clown may participate in no more than one (1) single skit and one (1) group skit.

b.         Registration for skit competition will be at the time of convention registration.              

c.         At the time of registration, contestant (s) must indicate to the Host Alley how facilities/equipment will be placed on the stage.

d.         A random drawing will be done by the Convention Competition Committee at the close of registration. A number will be assigned to each contestant(s), which will be the order of performance.  The list will be posted prior to the start of the competition.

4.         All identification tags, badges, or patches that give the contestant’s name and/or alley/club name must be removed or concealed.

5.         Specific Rules

a.         Single skits will have a maximum time limit of three (3) minutes and Group skits will have a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes.  Any time over the maximum will be penalized one (1) point per second.  The total penalty will be deducted from each judge’s total score.  Time starts from the completion of the Master of Ceremony’s introduction of the skit and a contestant’s entrance onto the stage or the start of background music and/or sound effects, whichever comes first.  The skit is over when the last person has left the stage and/or the music ends.

b.         All skits will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to set up and two (2) minutes to tear down for the performance.  Any time over the maximum will be penalized one (1) point per second.  The total penalty will be deducted from each judge’s total score by the scorekeepers.  The stage must be left in good condition for the next contestant.

c.         Skits must be suitable for all ages and in keeping with good clowning. They must be kept clean and decent in both word and suggestion.

d.         Any skit that could cause injury to anyone or result in damage to the facility will be stopped immediately and disqualified.

e.         Skits will be presented in the sequential order as established at the drawing.  Only the Competition Director can approve any change in this order.

f.          Skits using pies, water, confetti, etc., must clean up the stage completely during the allotted tear down time.  Anything landing in the audience must be cleaned up by the performer(s) in the subject skit at the conclusion of skit competition.

g.         No skit may contain explosives or fire of any type.  Use of it will result in disqualification.  This includes but will not be limited to flash paper, flash powder, flash cotton or any device to ignite it.

h.         A prop crew will be supplied to assist contestants with setting up and tearing down any props/scenery used in the performance of the skits.

i.          Stage size shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet deep by eighteen (18) feet wide and have a minimum height of twenty-four (24) inches.

j.          Contestants shall supply their own music and/or sound effects on cassette tapes properly cued.  The Host Alley will provide a sound system and operator.  The operator will not be allowed to stop or start the tape again once it has been started.  No other cueing will be allowed.

6.         Skits will be judged on criteria such as:

a.         Is the skit well planned?

b.         Is the skit well performed?

c.         Are the costumes and characters appropriate?

d.         Are the props appropriate and well utilized?

e.         Is the performance complete? (beginning, middle, and blow off)

f.          Is the skit appropriate for the audience?

g.         Did the skit project to the audience?

h.         Audience reaction

i.          Is the skit an original performance (or original twist to an older performance)?

j.          Was professional behavior exercised?

k.         Overall rating of the skit

C.         Balloon Competition

1.  Categories

a.         Single Balloon Sculpture:  A sculpture using only one (1) of any type single balloon.  No Mylars allowed.  No adhesives may be used.

b.         Multiple Balloon Sculpture:  A sculpture using any combination of balloons the same or varying sizes, without the use of an adhesive.  No Mylars allowed.

c.         Balloon Arrangement:  A sculpture and/or arrangement using a combination of balloons the same or varying sizes with or without any other object (s).  Adhesives may be used.  No Mylars allowed.

2.         Registration

Registration for balloon competition will be at the time of convention registration.

3.         Rules

a.         Contestants must be in the competition area when competition begins.  Contestants entering late will be disqualified.

b.         Contestants must furnish their own balloons.  Rubber gloves are not to be used in balloon competition—they are not balloons. 

c.         Balloons may not be inflated or stuffed or prepped in any way ahead of  starting time.  Contestants may use pumps to inflate balloons.

d.         Only one (1) sculpture may be submitted per category.

e.         No adhesives, glue, glue sticks, etc. may be used to hold balloons together except in the Balloon Arrangement category.

f.          Artwork on the balloons is accepted.

g.         In the Single Balloon category, Contestants will have fifteen (15) minutes to complete their entries.  In the Multiple Balloon and Balloon Arrangement categories, Contestants will have thirty (30) minutes to complete their entries.

h.         Contestants may enter all three categories.

i.          Contestants must clean up their area before leaving the competition room.

4.         Judges will not enter the competition area until all Contestants have completed the sculptures and have departed the area. Judges may not touch the entries.

5.         The public is not welcome to view the balloon contest unless otherwise noted by the Competition Director.   

6.         Balloon Sculptures will be judged on criteria such as:

a.         Technical Execution: Knot showing that shouldn’t, uneven bubbles, quality of  work, craftsmanship, attention to details, or deflated/popped balloon bubbles. Score is 20% of total.

b.         Aesthetic Appeal: Appropriate colors, artwork (markers), proportions or relative size bubbles, pleasing arrangement, resemblance of the intended object or caricature rendition.  Score is 20% of total.

c.         Originality: New design, new twists, novel techniques, innovative concept or a new arrangement or version of standard ideas.  Score is 20% of total.

d.         Overall Appeal: Cuteness, charm or appreciation of artistic effort.  Score is 40% of total. 

(Revised October 2003-PS)                                

D.         Paradeability Competition

This competition is designed to judge a clown or group’s ability to perform, entertain, or bring laughter during a parade.  Contestants may use a sight gag, an object or prop using signs or vocal expression.  Parade gimmicks may be carried, pushed, pulled and do not require a set-up or teardown time.  Objects used are those that can be “reloaded” on the move. No gas motors may be used.

1.         Single Paradeability

2.         Group Paradeability

3.         Registration

a.         A clown may participate in no more than one (1) single paradeability entry and one (1) group paradeability entry.

b.         Registration for paradeability competition will be at the time of convention registration.             

c.         A random drawing will be done by the Convention Competition Committee at the close of registration. A number will be assigned to each contestant(s), which will be the order of performance.  The list will be posted prior to the start of the competition.

4.         All identification tags, badges, or patches that give the contestant’s name and/or alley/club name must be removed or concealed.

5.         Specific Rules

a.         A simulated parade route will be provided approximately forty (40) feet long and twenty (20) feet wide.  Appropriate parade music may be playing.  Competition may be held indoors or outdoors.  This will be at the discretion of the Competition Director.

b.         At a time designated by the Host Alley, contestants must assemble and line up in numerical order in designated assembly area.

c.         One by one, each contestant/group will travel down the “parade route” and must demonstrate their parade prop or entertain at least twice within a one (1) minute time frame.  One (1) point penalty per second per judge will be awarded for failure to cross the finish line of the parade in a one-minute time frame.

d.                   Judges will be placed along the “parade route”.

6.         Paradeability entries will be judged on criteria such as:

a.         Is the paradeability well planned and possible to be performed in a parade? (10 point value)

b.         Are the costumes, characters, and props appropriate and well utilized? (10 point value)

c.         Audience reaction:  Did it project to the audience?  (15 points)

d.         Is the paradeability an original performance or original twist to an older performance?  (15 points)

E.         Performance Competition

(category added in 2005 after voting by the TCA General Membership at the 2003 Convention in San Antonio. In 2005, both single and group performance will compete as a single category. The rules below reflect this combination, and will be adjusted to separate single and group categories when the TCA Board feels participation justifies separate categories.)

This competition is designed to allow a clown or group of clowns to showcase their talents in a wide variety of ways with the primary focus of entertaining the audience. Performances should be something that would be performed in clown.

1.                   Single (Individual) Performance

2.         Group Performance

3.         Registration

a.         A clown may participate in no more than one (1) single performance or one (1) group performance. In 2005, because competition will be combined, a clown may participate in a single or a group performance, but not both.

b.         Registration for performance competition will be at the time of convention registration.              

c.         At the time of registration, contestant (s) must indicate to the Host Alley how facilities/equipment will be placed on the stage.

d.         A random drawing will be done by the Convention Competition Committee at the close of registration. A number will be assigned to each contestant(s), which will be the order of performance.  The list will be posted prior to the start of the competition.

4.         All identification tags, badges, or patches that give the contestant’s name and/or alley/club name must be removed or concealed.

5.         Specific Rules

a.         Performances will have a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes.  Any performance will be stopped if the time limit is exceeded. Time starts from the completion of the Master of Ceremony’s introduction of the performance and a contestant’s entrance onto the stage or the start of background music and/or sound effects, whichever comes first.  The performance is over when the last person has left the stage and/or the music ends.

b.         All performances will have a maximum of one (1) minute to set up and one (1) minute to tear down for the performance.  Any time over the maximum will be penalized one (1) point per second.  The total penalty will be deducted from each judge’s total score by the scorekeepers.  The stage must be left in good condition for the next contestant. Performances using pies, water, confetti, etc., must clean up the stage completely during the allotted tear down time.  Anything landing in the audience must be cleaned up by the performer(s).

c.         Performances must be acceptable and suitable for all ages and in keeping with good clowning. They must be kept clean and decent in both word and suggestion.

d.         All participants must be in full clown makeup and wardrobe.

e.         Any performance that could cause injury to anyone or result in damage to the facility will be stopped immediately and disqualified.

f.          Performances will be presented in the sequential order as established at the drawing.  Only the Competition Director can approve any change in this order.

g.         No performance may contain explosives or fire of any type.  Use of it will result in disqualification.  This includes but will not be limited to flash paper, flash powder, flash cotton or any device to ignite it.

h.         A prop crew will be supplied to assist contestants with setting up and tearing down any props/scenery used in the performance of the skits.

i.          Stage size shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet deep by eighteen (18) feet wide and have a minimum height of twenty-four (24) inches.

j.          Contestants shall supply their own music and/or sound effects on cassette tapes properly cued.  The Host Alley will provide a sound system and operator.  The operator will not be allowed to stop or start the tape again once it has been started.  No other cueing will be allowed.

k.                   Participants must remain in the competition area until all contestants are finished.

6.         Judging

a.                   There will be 3 judges.

b.                   Each judge will award a single overall score along with constructive comments to each entry.

c.                   Scores will be totaled among the three judges. The entry with the highest score will be declared the winner, and presented with a gold medal at the awards banquet.

d.                   In the event of a tie, there will be a “perform-off” to break the tie. Each entry will be asked to demonstrate their talent for one (1) additional minute.

(Revised July 2005 - mws)

BEST ALL AROUND CLOWN

As of the 2002 convention, the BEST ALL AROUND CLOWN has become a sanctioned category by Texas Clown Association. 

The following are the requirements for this honor:

It is not necessary to sign up for this category.  All competitors that qualify will be considered for Best All Around Clown.

You must enter a minimum of four different competitions.  There are eight categories all together.

For each competition you enter, you receive one point. 

For each competition you place third, you receive an additional three points.

For each competition you place second, you receive an additional six points.

For each competition you place first, you receive an additional nine points.

If you enter all eight competitions, you will receive an additional ten points.

A trophy or plaque will be awarded for this honor.  Texas Clown Association will purchase the award.  

If you are Best All Around Clown, you cannot compete again for this title for 2 years. 

Condition of Awards

Make-up and Wardrobe Competition awards will be as follows:

1.   To receive a first place award, the competitor must receive 85% or better of the available points.             

2.       To receive a second place award, the competitor must receive 70% to 84% of the available points.

3.       To receive a third place award, the competitor must receive 55% to 69% of the available points.

4.       It two or more competitors receive over 85% of the available points, then the highest score is awarded first place and the second score is awarded second place.

5.       The same would apply if the top two competitors receive over 70%, but not over 84%.  The top competitor would receive a second place award, and the other competitor would receive a third place award.  In this case, a first place award would not be given.

(Revised October 2003- PS)

Novice Category - This is an interactive verbal and written critique category which a person can enter only one time.  All other rules pertaining to Make-up and Wardrobe Competition remain the same.

No trophies, top ten or other recognition will be awarded in this category.

All contestants in Make-up and Wardrobe Competition will parade before the judges before their particular category is judged.  If you are not present for the parade, you will be disqualified.

Those who win first place in Make-up and Wardrobe will not be allowed to participate in that category for the next consecutive 2 year period. (For example- if you win in Whiteface you cannot compete for the next 2 years but you can compete in Auguste, Character, or Tramp/Hobo)

Best All Around Clown will not be allowed to run for this honor for the next 2-year consecutive period.

First place winners in Balloon Competition and Paradeability Competition do not have the 2-year restriction.  Winners of Balloon and Paradeability may compete in that category over and over with no restrictions.