Under the Sea!
Our 2024 convention went swimmingly! If you were there, find yourself in the photo below. If you missed it, check out the information from 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Although the dates are not yet confirmed, we plan for a similar amount of time in early to mid November. 2025’s theme will be “Alice in Wonderland!”. If you are a clown seeking to find someone to clown around with or grow your skills with ahead of next year’s convention, look at our Organization page to find local clown alleys. You can also contact your state’s director (see the officer’s list at the bottom of the page) – they signed up for the job to help connect the clown community!
2024’s convention was held November 6-10, 2024 at the Red Lion Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Friday Headliner: Keith Karas
Keith has been a crowd favorite at every open mic and it is time he had his own show! He is dedicated, professional and entertaining. We can’t wait to see his show and to cheer him on his clown journey!
Saturday Headliner: KOOKOO The Cartoon Magician
Though he is new to MACA, he has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on America’s Got Talent. KooKoo, Brandon Baglivo, entertains at, Sesame Place, Boscov’s Department Stores, Fairs, Festivals, Schools, Universities, Retirement Homes, The Water Works in Wyomissing, PA and too many other places to mention here. He is local to Pennsylvania and resides with his family in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He is wonderfully entertaining and promises fun, laughter, smiles and even a few totally awesome moments!
Also Starring!
Along with Dana Hill (filling in the big clown shoes left by his dad, Dave Hill), Steve Kissel, Victor Thomas, Jill and Prince Puppets, Bonnie Corcia, Wes Whiteside, Bob & Teresa Gretton, Jackie Reynolds, Steven Gailey, Alene Kraus, Susan Crenshaw, Jim Fearn, and Albert Rotto!
Schedule
New this year – breakout sessions!
| Topic | Presenter | |
|---|---|---|
| Puppets: Create and Take! | Prince Puppets | $15 materials fee |
| Glitter Tattoos | Susan Crenshaw | Materials fee |
| Mime and Stripper Deck | Steel City Clown Brigade |
| Day | Time | Description | Notes | Presenter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 6 | 7 pm | Evening Palooza Fire Juggling Outdoors | Steven Gailey & the Steel City Clown Brigade | |
| Thur, Nov 7 | A Day at the Beach | Sign up for breakout sessions at registration. Open MC sign-ups at registration table. Open MIC acts need to be performances | ||
| 8am – 9:15 | Flea Market – registration in the lobby – market ends at 9:15 | |||
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Dana Hill Will WOW YOU! | Dana Hill | ||
| 10:45 – 11:45 | Juggling Beginners and all ability jugglers are welcome. Accommodations made for all levels. | Steven Gailey | ||
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch, with Breakout Sessions – Breakout Session on Mime and Pizza Lunch in the classroom | – Robert Packard | ||
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Make-up, Noses and Wigs OH MY! Learn make-up for characters including Hobos, Bag Ladies, Elves, Jesters, Sleepy, Dopey,…etc | Wes Whiteside | ||
| 2:15 – 3:15 | A WOWZA Experience with Dana Hill | Dana Hill | ||
| 3:30 – 4:30 | Spanglish and Comical Bilingualism Learn a little, laugh a little! Enjoy Rotto at his best. In our diverse world, a bit of Spanish and Latino culture, is a very good thing! | Albert Rotto | ||
| 4:45-5:45 | Fun and Games For Family Entertainers This class will help you add audience participation and activity games for kids and adults. Add these to your show and watch the FUN happen. | Steve Kissel | ||
| 6:15 | Buffet and Open Mic – Breakout session: Scrapbooking with Jim Donohue. Brings pics | Beach Party Theme – Have Fun! | ||
| Fri, Nov 8 | Ocean Themed Movie/Characters | |||
| 8:30-9:30 | The Value of Music and Laughter in Senior Facilities Learn tried and true bits, songs and favorite moments in Bonnie’s many years of experience. She’ll have her ukelele on stand-by. | Bonnie Corcia | ||
| 9:45-10:45 | Twisting in a Restaurant and Creating Repeat Clients Learn some easy and popular twists and how to get those kiddos begging to return. | Alene Kraus | ||
| 11:00-12:00 | All The World’S A Stage The process of clown characterizations begins when you step out of your door! Use self talk as a tool and learn to adapt to any stage scenario by being prepared. | The Grettons | ||
| 12:05-1:45 | GROUP PHOTO AND LUNCH | Please come as a clown or at least wear a nose. (Thank You!) | ||
| 1:45-2:45 | Puppet Potpourri Puppets, Props, Performance and Play! Jill and Robin will also offer a Create and Take Puppet Breakout Session After Keith’s Show. $15.00 materials fee. | Jill Harrington | ||
| 3:00-4:00 | Becoming A Mascot The Do’s, the Don’ts and the How’s for those interested in becoming a mascot. | Victor Thomas | ||
| 4:14-5:15 | Face Painting with Airbrush Learn the techniques for using airbrush for your face painting using stencils. Airbrush is waterproof which makes it great for pool parties, hot days and sweaty kids! It is faster than face painting which makes it great for large events. | Susan Crenshaw | ||
| 6:15 | Buffet and Friday Headliner-Keith Karas Show – Breakout session: Prince Puppets Breakout Sesssion Create and Make Puppet $15.00 materials fee. Meet promptly in classroom! (AFTER KEITH’S SHOW) | BEACH PARTY THEME | ||
| Sat, Nov 9 | Mystical Ocean Creatures or Business Casual (Banquet) | |||
| 8:30-9:30 | Evolution Of The Art Of Clowning An interesting and historical look into CLOWNING and where it might be heading. | Keith Karas | ||
| 9:45-10:45 | Ventriloquism 101 Learn the tricks and skills needed to allow your puppet to become an integral part of your show | Jackie Reynolds | ||
| 11:00-12:00 | Clowning Without A Nose Learn schtick you can do in public and at parties to entertain the unsuspecting bystanders. Also, get ready to share your favorite. | Steve Kissel | ||
| 12:00-1:00 | LUNCH – Breakout session: Stripper Deck, classroom – Breakout session: Glitter Tattoos, $5 fee, hospitality suite | – David Harmon – Susan Crenshaw | ||
| 1:15-2:15 | Pizzazzing Simple Balloon Designs Learn ways to tweaksimple balloon designs into Impressive designs! Bring Balloons and Pump! | Jim Fearn | ||
| 2:30-3:30 | Kook-ology For Clowns Do Not Miss Our Headliner’s original, fun and creative ideas about performing! Level Up your clowning with inspiration from sound effects , sight gags and zany magic | Brandon “Koo-Koo” Baglivo | ||
| 3:45-5:00 | GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD | |||
| 6:15 | Banquet Dinner Headliner Show With BRANDON “KOOKOO” BAGLIVO Installation and awards | Dress is Business Casual or Mystical Sea Creatures | ||
| Sun, Nov 10 | 9 am | Sunday Service | Officiated by Chaplain Tina Coleman |
Watch the newsletters for more information on schedules.
Registration
Full conference registration through 9/30 – $200 – all days, all sessions, + dinner & entertainment included – wow!!!
Early bird registration dates: June 10-14, 2024. Receive a $25.00 discount on full registration if you register during that week. Mail-ins must be postmarked by June 14th. Use website link to register online
Register online through TicketSpice (external site) – both full ($200) and daily rates (fee dependent upon day and buffet) are available.
Manual registration through sending in form.
Hotel Registration
Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Use the registration links below to register for the MACA block of rooms. Note that reservations made through 3rd party sites do not receive breakfast tickets.