Central States Shrine Clown Association

Competition Rules

(Approved August 30, 2007)



I. GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

  1. These rules may only be modified or changed in accordance with the by-laws of the Central States Shrine Clown Association. Any changes made will not take effect until the next calendar year.

  2. Competition numbers must be worn on the upper half of the costume and must be visible during all aspects of the competition, except for balloon sculpting. The guidelines for displaying competition numbers during balloon sculpting are outlined in the balloon section of these rules.

D. As members of this organization are to conduct themselves by the highest standards, the following activities and portrayals shall be banned from competition:

  1. Drinking alcoholic beverages while in make-up during competition.

  2. The portrayal of any minority or individual of any specific ethnic background.

  3. The portrayal of a drunk or an inebriated individual.

  4. The portrayal of a woman or girl.



II: INDIVIDUAL MAKEUP COMPETITION RULES

  1. At every CSSCA competition, there shall be three (3) divisions of clowns designated as follows:

    1. Regular Clown: Any clown in good standing with CSSCA may compete in this category regardless of age or experience. This division will be further divided into five (5) categories, designated Whiteface, Auguste, Tramp, Hobo and Character clowns.

    2. Senior Clown: Any clown in good standing with CSSCA, and that is at least 60 years of age on the first day of competition may compete in this category. This division will be further divided five (5) categories, designated Whiteface, Auguste, Tramp, Hobo and Character clowns.

    3. Rookie Clown: Any clown in good standing with CSSCA that has been a clown (Shrine or non-Shrine) for less than two (2) years, and that has never competed in any clown competition may compete one time in this division. Note: The CSSCA President may grant a waiver to allow a clown to enter this category, if their Unit/Temple was the sponsor of the CSSCA convention the preceding year, which rendered him ineligible to compete during their rookie year. At the time of registration, the individual must provide a letter signed by the unit President or Director, verifying that they qualify to compete in this division.

  2. At the time of registration, each clown must declare the division and category in which they will compete. Under no circumstance shall a clown be allowed to switch to another division or category after it has been previously declared.

  3. Competition numbers shall identify all competitors. No competitor shall be identified to the judges or audience by name or temple affiliation.

D. Judges shall meet the following criteria and comply with these instructions:

    1. A minimum of three judges shall judge each category.

    2. All judges shall be clowns with a minimum of two years of experience. A judge thus qualified may serve as a judge in the Regular, Senior or Rookie divisions

    3. In the Rookie division, each judge shall be well versed in each of four types of makeup categories and given special instruction that these are rookie clowns and that all makeup categories shall be judged equally.

    4. Judges shall closely examine each individual competitor from all angles and directions. Judge may request all competitors to turn different directions that they may view them from different angles. However, this request must be made of all competitors in that category.

    5. The judges may not:

      1. Touch a competitor or any part of his costume.

      2. Request a competitor speak.

      3. Request a competitor to move or remove an article of costume or makeup.

      4. Require a clown to strike a special pose.

    6. Judges shall compile the scores of competitors before excusing them from the competition area. If there is a tie between any two competitors in any category, the judges shall call the top 5 10 competitors back and compare the two individuals to break the tie. The remaining 3 8 competitors are also examined, so as not to alert the two tied individual.

    7. Judges will use the current International Shrine Clown Association (ISCA) score sheets while judging makeup, skits, and paradeability.


III: SKIT COMPETITION RULES

  1. At every CSSCA competition, there shall be four (4) divisions in skit competition as follows:

    1. One Man Skits

    2. Two Man Skits

    3. Three-Five Man Skits

    4. Unit Skits

  1. An individual may compete in only one skit in each of the four divisions. Issued competition numbers shall identify all competitors.

    1. No competitor shall be identified to the judges or audience by unit or temple affiliation.

    2. Competition numbers must be visible on the outside of any clothing, props or costumes worn during the skit.


  1. A process of random selection shall determine order of performance of skits within each skit division.

    1. At a time designated by the CSSCA Officers, the competitors will gather and draw an order number from a pool of numbers. This drawing of competition order must be completed before the individual makeup competition begins.

    2. Once drawn, the order number and the competition number(s) of participants will be recorded, and then posted in an appropriate location that all participants may see them. If a competitor draws numbers that would make him participate in back-to-back skits, he will be reordered by the CSSCA President so a minimum of two skits separates his performances. (E.g. last in the one-man skits and first in the 2 man skits).

    3. Once drawn, position numbers cannot be changed or traded between competitors, except as noted above in back-to-back skits.

  2. When the competition begins, each individual and/or team must be present to perform the skit. If they have not presented themselves within one (1) minute of having their competition numbers called, they shall be disqualified and the next skit in order called.

  3. Timing of skits: Each skit division has a maximum performance time as follows

    1. One man – 2 minutes

    2. Two man – 3 minutes

    3. Three-five man – 5 minutes

    4. Unit – 7 minutes

  4. Competitors may have assistance in setting and cleaning up their props and the performance area. Times allowed are as follows:

    1. One Man – Set-up 1 minutes; Clean-up 1 minutes

    2. Two Man – Set-up 2 minutes; Clean-up 2 minutes

    3. 3-5 Man – Set-up 2 minutes; Clean-up 2 minutes

    4. Unit – Set-up 3 minutes; Clean-up 3 minutes

  5. Performance Area.

    1. For all skits except for the Unit skit, a square of 40 feet X 40 feet shall be marked off. This shall be the designated performance area.

    2. When possible, the unit skit will not be confined to the 40’ X 40’ square. Ideally the unit skit should be allowed the entire available floor of the competition area.

  6. Timing of each skit will begin when the first active clown crosses the line into the performance area. The term active clown means the first clown to enter into the performance area that moves, speaks or actively performs. A clown may start inside of performance area, provided he is inside of a prop, or posed and immobile. The judges must be informed before the skit starts that a clown will start the skit inside of the performance area. Failure to notify the judges shall result in disqualification of the skit. In the One Man Skit competition, competitors must start outside of the performance area.

  7. Timing of each skit will begin when the first active clown crosses the line into the performance area. The term active clown means the first clown to enter into the performance area that moves, speaks or actively performs. A clown may start inside of performance area, provided he is inside of a prop, or posed and immobile. If a clown is going to start inside of the performance area, the following conditions apply:

  1. Posed and immobile - The judges must be informed before the skit starts that a clown(s) will start the skit inside of the performance area. Failure to notify the judges shall result in disqualification of the skit.

  2. Inside a prop - The judges do not need to be informed that he is there.

  3. In the One Man Skit competition, competitors must start outside of the performance area.

  1. A minimum of three Judges shall judge all skit competition. All judges shall be clowns with a minimum of two years of experience.


IV: PARADE COMPETITION RULES

  1. Issued numbers shall identify all competitors during the parade, and they must be visible on the outside of the costume.

  2. Clowns must remain in a group in their temple’s lineup.

  3. A minimum of eight Judges shall judge parade competition.

    1. Parade judges shall be scattered along the parade route to observe the clowns, as a normal spectator would view them. Ideally judges should be inconspicuous so as not to be identified by competitors.

    2. At no time shall any judge enter the street to take a closer look at any clown.

    3. Judges shall be clowns with a minimum of two years experience.

    4. All judges are to be instructed that they are to judge participants on their ability and effort to entertain the parade spectators.


V: BALLOON COMPETITION RULES

  1. There will be a two divisions where each competitor must complete one balloon sculptures as follows:

      1. One – Single balloon sculpture

      2. One – Multiple balloon sculpture

  2. Timing: Each division will have a maximum allowable time as follows:

      1. Single balloon sculpture – 5 minutes

      2. Multiple balloon sculpture – 10 minutes

  3. Balloons may be inflated by mouth or by pump, but in no case will pre-inflated balloons be allowed. Pre-inflated balloons are balloons that have been inflated to a specific length or size, and the air released to indicated the length or size for the competitor.

  4. No foreign objects may be used on the outside of balloons to decorate, assemble or hold them. This ban includes, but is not limited to the following items: glue, tape, rubber bands, paper, cloth, etc. Ink markers may be used to highlight or decorate the sculptures.

  5. Foreign objects may be placed inside of the balloons use to create the sculpture.

  6. Judges need not be clowns; however they shall have a minimum of two years experience in balloon sculpting.

  7. Competitors and spectators will depart the judging area while the balloon sculptures are being judged. Each competitor will be provided a piece of paper to write their competition numbers on, and these will be left with the sculptures to identify them to the judges and competition officials. Names or temple affiliation will not be written on the paper with the competition number.


VI: TRAVELING TROPHY

  1. The Top Clown Unit Traveling Trophy shall be awarded each year at the competition of the annual CSSCA competition. The Top Clown Unit Traveling Trophy shall be purchased with CSSCA general funds, and shall contain no less than 10 plates to contain the names the winning units.

  2. When there remains no room for any additional yearly award plates on the Top Clown Unit Traveling Trophy itself, that trophy shall be retired at the next CSSCA convention, and awarded to the unit that has won the award the most times. In the event of a tie, the Top Clown Unit Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the unit that has won the title the most times in the past five years. If a tie still exists, the trophy will be awarded to the winner of a single coin flip.

  3. Points shall be awarded to units for placing in the top three positions in each division of individual makeup, skit and balloon competition. Additional points will be awarded to the best unit in the parade and to the unit with the best clown in the parade. Points for Top Clown Unit shall be awarded as follows:

      1. 1st Place – 5 points

      2. 2nd Place – 3 points

      3. 3rd Place – 1 point

      4. Best Unit in the Parade – 5 points

      5. Best Clown in the Parade – 5 points

  1. Points will be awarded in the top three in each following categories, except as noted:

    1. Regular Auguste Makeup

    2. Regular Character Makeup

    3. Regular Tramp Makeup

    4. Regular Hobo Makeup

    5. Regular Whiteface Makeup

    6. Senior Auguste Makeup

    7. Senior Character Makeup

    8. Senior Tramp Makeup

    9. Senior Hobo Makeup

    10. Senior Whiteface Makeup

    11. Rookie Makeup

    12. One-man Skit

    13. Two-man Skit

    14. Three-Five man Skit

    15. Unit Skit

    16. Balloon Sculpting

    17. Best Unit in the Parade (5 points)

    18. Best Clown in the Parade (5 points) – This individual must be selected from the clowns that won best clown in their unit in the parade.

  2. The Traveling Trophy shall be given to the temple unit that accumulates the most points during the competition.

  3. In the event of a tie, the tied units will have points added to their score based on the number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Best Unit and Best Clown in the parade will count the same as a 1st place. The following are the point values to be added to the tied units score:

    1. 1st place – 3 points

    2. 2nd place – 2 points

    3. 3rd place – 1 point

  4. If these results are also tied, a single coin flip shall decide which unit holds the trophy during the ensuing year. Both units will be identified on the trophy as winning that year, which will count towards retiring the trophy.


VII: OTHER AWARDS

  1. Awards in this category are not used in computing the scores for the Traveling Trophy.

  2. The President of CSSCA shall be responsible for selecting a member of the CSSCA to receive the Presidents Award at the annual awards ceremony. The criterion for selecting the individual to receive this award shall be in his opinion, the person that works for the betterment of the organization and exemplifies Masonic principle. It is his prerogative to present multiple awards if more than one individual distinguish themselves during the year.

  3. The oldest clown competing in competition shall be recognized and given a special award proclaiming him as such.

  4. An award will be presented the best clown in each unit participating in the parade. From these winners, the best clown in the parade will be selected.

Summary of Changes Approved on August 30, 2007


Section &

Paragraph Action Taken


I. C. (Deleted) A Central States Shrine Clown Association patch must be worn on the upper half of the costume of each clown, and it must be visible during make-up competition. The patch need not be sewn to the costume, but may be neatly pinned instead. The judges shall be instructed to simply note the presence of the patch and the manner in which it is attached shall not be a consideration in the judging. During skit competition, props and accessories may cover the patch.

II. A. 1. Changed the number of categories from four (4) to five (5), and adds the Hobo category to the competition.

II. A. 2. Changed the number of categories from four (4) to five (5), and adds the Hobo category to the competition.

II. A. 3. Changed the Rookie Category to say all clowns to be eligible to compete one time within two years of their beginning to clown.

II. D. 7. (Added) Judges will use the current International Shrine Clown Association (ISCA) score sheets while judging makeup, skits, and paradeability.

VI. D. Separated the Tramp and Hobo makeup into separate categories in both the regular and senior divisions.

Valid CSS! Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional