Have you ever dreamed of running away and joining the circus?

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clowns look on during Clown College Auditions held for the first time at in Vanderbilt Hall at New York's Grand Central Terminal on Feb. 28, 2012. The event marks the arrival of the circus in the Tri-State area.

From the Ringling Bros. and Barmun & Bailey website: This is a once-in a lifetime opportunity to audition to become part of the world famous Ringling Bros. and Barmun & Bailey Clown Alley

• What do you look for in applicants to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College? An overactive funny bone and a heart the size of Texas! Also: improvisational ability, a sense of timing, and a sincere desire to be a clown with The Greatest Show On Earth are necessary characteristics of a potential applicant. Previous professional clowning experience is not required.
• What happens when candidates are selected at an audition to continue being evaluated? They will have an opportunity to see a performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and a more detailed application will be filled out. From there, potentially, another meeting and an intensive training session will be held. The entire process will be reviewed to determine if there’s a mutual fit, and if so, a one year contract could be offered.

Circus clowns look on during Clown College Auditions held for the first time at in Vanderbilt Hall at New York's Grand Central Terminal.

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