47 Years Young...

               

Resume of Accomplishments

2003 - Present
High Octane Entertainment - Sarasota Florida  -  Founder - Producer - Performer
Chuck Sidlow's "It's Your Laughter I'm After" is an interactive contemporary and nostalgic comedy conglomeration that features classic clowning and original characters who entertain youngsters, oldsters, and those in between, at family parties, social functions, dining establishments, and corporate events. An outline can be viewed at website hoe_home.htm

2000 - Present
Laughter Unlimited - Sarasota Florida - Program Director - Senior Relationship Building
"Laughter Unlimited" is an interactive outreach program structured to develop long-term relationships with seniors residing within assisted living and nursing facilities. Classic clowning, coupled with the antics of nostalgic original characters, assists to break into minds that have become dormant, and those who deal with mild to severe dementia. This program is a proven therapeutic supplement filling a void between professional health care and family members. Jackie LeClaire is senior advisor of this program.

2000 - Present
Educational Program - Sarasota Florida  -  Co-Developer - Co-Author - Performer
A Partnership program between Circus Sarasota, Ringling Museum of the Circus, and West Coast of Florida School Districts. A three part program was created; (a) curriculum created and distributed to K1 to 8th grade students; (b) Themed programs introduced during school assemblies; (c) Culmination concluded with students attending Big Top circus performances. Aspects of the circus are introduced to students to enhance and make interesting the teaching of math, science, social studies, history, and other subjects.

1999- Present
Circus Sarasota - Sarasota Florida  -  Performance Director - Image Character - Performer
Circus Sarasota is a not for profit arts and entertainment organization created for the purpose of expanding upon the education of circus culture and history. Human service programs and public performances demonstrate the highest level of quality.

1985 - Present
Workshops Worldwide  -  Presenter         - Instructor - Lecturer
Subjects spoken about and taught include: Character development, performance psychology, corporate responsibility, presentation quality, arena logistics, make up, wardrobe, pantomime, physical comedy, slapstick, acrobatics, special effects, and magic. Special Engagements: Mooseburger Arts & Education Camp - 1999 - Present Circus Sarasota Summer Workshops - 1991 University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse/Extended Education - 1988

1995
(Special Request Contract while working for Duskin) Korakoen Amusement Park (Tokyo Japan Dome) - Creator - Producer - Director
 Imagination Circus - Interactive production using professional American and Japanese clowns.

1994
(Special Request Contract while working for Duskin) Japanese Postal Service - Promotional Performer
Summer tour throughout Japan introducing the character Charlie Chaplin as a promotional mascot.

1992 - 1996
(Special Request Contract while working for Duskin) Hollywood Starways Performer - Kobe Japan
A tourist attraction located with the Port of Kobe in which the character Charlie Chaplin was presented as mascot.

1989 - 1999
Duskin Corporation - Osaka Japan  -  PR/Promotions - Producer - Manager of International Talent - Performer
During a 10-year period, International performers were recruited and managed under my direction to become involved in openings and continuing performances within the largest themed entertainment restaurant venture to be built throughout Japan. Establishments were 9 Carnival Plazas, 4 Carnival Times, 4 Tuchibunichi, 100+ Café Dumonds, +++ Mr. Donuts, and a Tokyo & Osaka Joes.

1985 & 1988
Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey Circus  -  Performer - Production Coordinator for Special Events
Disneyland, and Riverfest, Music Festivals

1985 - 1987
Special Effects Unlimited - Los Angeles  -  Contracted Licensed Pyrotechnic
Produced special effects for movies, TV, and live events. Movies include: Untouchables, Tequila Sunrise, Running Man, Hill Street Blues

1980 - 1984 & 1987
Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey Clown College  -  Recruitment, Auditions, Admissions, Instructor

1977-1988
Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus (Red Unit, Blue Unit, International Gold Unit) Performer, Producing "Boss" Clown (Managing Director) - Advance Promotion, PR, for all traveling units.

Special Personal Skill - Fluent with the Japanese language - read, write, and speak

I was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on March 22, 1959. Being born with Funny Bones, of course I was voted "Class Clown" in high school, 1977. Immediately following my graduation, I was encouraged by my teachers to audition for Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown College. I became one the elite group of 50 students, selected from 5,000+ applicants nationwide, to participate in Bill Ballintine's 10th year RBB&B Clown College. Of the original 50 students, only 13 of us went on to perform with "The Greatest Show On Earth".

One of my greatest influences to become a performer occurred during my junior high school days when I became infatuated with professional wrestling. Very influential to my learning were personal relationships with old timers Lonnie "Moon Dog" Mayne, Mr. Fuji, Professor Tanaka, Stan "The Man" Stasiak, Dean Ho, Austin Idle, Lou Albano, Grand Wizard, Fred Blassie, and Andre The Giant. I credit these experiences to a later mention, published by the Associated Press in 1981, saying Chuck Sidlow is" one of the best slap and fall men in the business".

Within two years on the show, I was honored with the title, "The youngest boss clown in the history of the circus" by RBB&B President Irvin Feld. Under the "Director of Clown's" and master clown Frosty Little, I was privileged to work beside circus legends Lou Jacobs, Bobby Kay and Duane Thorpe performing some of their famous original routines to include Lou Jacob's classic motorized baby buggy, hospital bed, and bathtub; Bobby Kay's linking rings and saw the clown in half; and Duane Thorpe's western gag, movie gag and instant midget. With the assistance and encouragement from these master artists, I went on to develop my own style and comedy routines to include the Horse Chase with Gunter Gable Williams, the fruit wagon modeled after my father's business, the exploding bar-b-que gag, mismatched telephone repairman, Ben Franklin walk around, newspaper stand, live shell game, and comedy cable car, to name but a few.

During my employment with Ringling, I performed on the Red, Blue and Gold traveling units, and at Circus World Theme Park. I lectured and taught at Clown College, worked advance PR, and wrote, produced, directed and preformed within partnership shows at Disneyland and Ringling sponsored events.

The following 11 years, after departing Ringling's employment, I resided in Osaka Japan producing and performing comedy antics working as "International Clown Coordinator" for Duskin's Carnival Plaza restaurant enterprises throughout the country of Japan.

Upon return to the USA, from Japan, I joined Pedro Reis, and world-renowned aerialist Dolly Jacobs, co-founders of Circus Sarasota to assist with management, and to perform in their annual month long winter show. In addition, I work on other Circus Sarasota programs illustrated within my resume. My affiliation with Circus Sarasota offered me the opportunity to work on a daily basis with "The Ambassador of Mirth, clown legend, Jackie LeClaire. Jackie's position with Circus Sarasota is mentor and senior advisor. My affiliation with Jackie allowed me the opportunity to perform at the SECA Convention and meet many World Clown Association and Clowns of America International members.

In addition to my current responsibilities to Circus Sarasota, Laughter Unlimited, and High Octane Entertainment, I continue to lecture and teach at Mooseburger Camp with Frosty Little. It is my personal ambition and goal to accomplish all that I can to assist in the preservation of the art of clowning, continue to illuminate the great characters of the past, and the keep in focus those famous routines they created such as the Firehouse, Boxing Gag, Soap Gag, Washer Woman, Dentist, and Clown Car which will always be classic favorites from the golden age of circus clowning.

Thank you for listening to my story.

Respectfully yours,

Chuck Sidlow

Miscellaneous New Releases:

2003 to Present - Image Character appearing within many Sarasota FL newspapers, periodicals, and magazine representing Circus Sarasota
2003 Laughter Unlimited - Storybook of Program
2003 Ringling Museum of the Circus - "The Magical World of Circus"
2002 Newspaper Article - "Dan Rice & The American Circus featuring Chuck Sidlow"
1988 City Life News Tokyo - "Clowning Around In Any Language"
1983 Letter to Irvin Feld from "Fairmount Theatre of the Deaf"
1982 Ashville Citizen - "The Making of a Clown"
1980 LA Times Article - Chuck Sidlow "Ringling's Youngest Lead Clown"