How long have you been with the Troupe?
I have been clowning with Hearts & Noses only since this past spring! It’s been quite a ride so far!!
How did you hear about the Troupe?
I first heard about the Troupe maybe 10 years ago. My wonderful wife somehow stumbled upon it and knew it would be something I’d be interested in and that would fit me.
What inspired you to get trained and join?
Since middle school I’ve been juggling. I’ve always loved the clowning arts and have had a long-standing dream of becoming a clown. Once I learned about hospital clowning, I knew it was something I wanted to do. I have spent my career working with kids and love every minute of it. To learn to clown and to engage with and bring some joy to (and with) a kiddo in the hospital sounded like incredible fun and an immense honor. Life unfortunately got in the way but then the stars aligned – I happened to be free the weekend of the Troupe’s training in ADD MONTH and jumped at the chance to learn the craft.
How was the clown training? What was your favorite part?
The clown training was one of the hardest and most fun experiences I’ve had! Honestly, I was really intimidated by the improvisational aspect and the need to trust and work with a partner who you just met. That said, once I was able to relax into it, I found tremendous joy and fun in just playing with my partner and the “child.” Though I enjoyed everything we did and learned that weekend, I think my favorite part was when we practiced/simulated entering a hospital room, getting permission from the child and playing. To be able to dive in and practice while getting constructive feedback, support and encouragement from experienced hospital clowns was an incredible experience!
What is your clown name? How did it come about?
My clown’s name is Babka. I wanted to find a fun sounding name that carried some meaning so, of course, I enlisted the help of my wife, Tova, and my kids, Ilan and Yaara. We had MANY discussions and my kids took this responsibility seriously!! We test-drove a couple different names but once they stumbled on Babka, we all knew we had it! Chocolate Babka, a sweet braided baked good of Jewish origin, is one of my kids’ favorite treats…
What do you do for work?
I am a social worker by training and work in the Woburn Public Schools as a School Adjustment Counselor in one of their middle schools.
What is your favorite part of clowning?
The feeling of anticipation and the recognition that you’ve helped bring some joy to a child! I love when we knock on a door and a kid’s eyes just light up at the site of two silly looking grown-up children stumbling their way into the room. The giggles often begin before we even do anything. To see kids happy and to know you’ve helped make a challenging experience even just a tiny bit better for them is a supreme privilege.
Where do you clown mostly?
I clown at Franciscan Children’s Hospital, Spaulding Rehab and at MGH. So far, most of my clowning has been at Franciscan Children’s, but I’m hoping to spread my time more in the future.
Why do you think clowning is important for hospitalized children?
For kids in the hospital, days can sometimes be repetitive. With doctors and nurses doing things to or for them, kids don’t have many opportunities to feel in control or to engage in play as they so naturally do. Enter the clowns! When we come in the door, for those few minutes, the child runs everything! Every decision, activity, imaginative journey is theirs to design, amend, adapt or conduct. They are in control! From inviting us in, to engaging in play, to ultimately saying good-bye the time is theirs. During this short visit, the children can laugh, giggle and just simply play with clowns who would rather do nothing else. Our focus is completely on the child and the child is able to experience some relief from the stress of their hospital stay and to feel pure joy.
How do people respond when you tell them you are a hospital clown?
Usually stunned silence followed by “Ummm, you do what?!” Most people I’ve met don’t even know that hospital clowning exists, but everyone is universally impressed by the work and talks about how beneficial they feel it must be for the kids and families. Many friends I’ve told are not at all surprised that this is what I’m doing… I guess it fits me!