Clowns teach kids some tricks of the trade

Junior jugglers and grade-school plate-spinners perform their magic for a captive audience of proud parents.

Minutes later, the giggling cadre of young entertainers forms a human pyramid that would make high school cheerleaders envious.

Clown Camp is in session.

As "The Greatest Show on Earth" returns to Nassau County later this month, 11 lucky children took the stage Saturday at the Long Island Children's Museum to learn the ABCs of becoming a clown from two of the best.

"It's an amazing shared experience," says Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown Joel Jeske. "They meet new friends and learn new skills."

Jeske and Rob Lok, both in their 12th year of professional clowning, directed the youngsters, ages 8-15, through a four-minute routine they'll perform in a circus preshow March 23 at the Nassau Coliseum.

The rehearsal was the campers' second in as many weeks, and by all appearances, the training is paying off.

Brothers Chris, 11, and Tommy Burney, 9, of Huntington, practiced passing hats to each other at blazing speed. Sydney Kay, 15, of Brookville, tossed a plate in the air, catching it on a thin pole.

Others are mastering the art of balancing a feather on their palm -- and transferring it to their nose.

"It's really a lot of fun," says Chris Contaldi, 9, of Sayville. "It teaches you a lot of new talents."

While Ringling Bros. does small shows for museum patrons every year, Clown Camp is a new idea, designed to give kids a better physical and emotional connection to the circus. The camp was open to museum members on a first-come, first-served basis.

"It gives them a more in-depth experience," says Jim Packard, the museum's theater manager.

For some parents, the interaction can get a bit too real.

Grace Dervin, 8, of North Massapequa, has been practicing the spinning plate trick at home -- with real dishes.

A half-dozen shattered plates later, Grace's mother, Marie, had to make a change. "We've moved to paper plates," she said.

The camp has also proved to be a bonding experience for siblings.

Harrison Kay, 8, was too nervous to perform onstage by himself, so older sister Sydney volunteered to join him.

"I wouldn't be here without her," Harrison says.

The message of self-confidence and teamwork is clearly one the circus wants to convey.

"It's at the heart of what we teach," Lok says. "Everyday people can do extraordinary things."