5 minute read
The Art of Good Medicine
Clown care troupe spreads joy and comfort in healing spaces
Images of circus cars, red noses, big floppy shoes and flowers that squirt unsuspecting spectators are what most associate with the word “clown.” But those stereotypical images from a child’s birthday party or a big striped tent just might do a disservice to this age-old art form.
Clowns have been around for centuries, with documentation dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece and the Americas. Their purpose throughout history has been the same: to mirror reality and highlight the misdeeds of the world. The comedy that clowns perform is usually based on a character whose everyday actions and tasks become extraordinary.
Transforming those moments into remarkable feats of love, care and compassion is central to the mission of Good Medicine Productions, a local theatrical troupe dedicated to preserving the art of clowning while simultaneously implementing it as a form of therapy.
Discovering the Spark
Troupe founder and Westerville native Kristie Vuocolo discovered her love for the art of clowning while living in Chicago and working as a television producer for a local PBS station. The station would transform stories written by children into sketch comedy shows and take them on the road to school cafeterias, gymnasiums and community centers. One day, the station featured a story about the Big Apple Circus, a company known for their “Clown Care Unit,” a group of clowns traveling to pediatric and nursing care facilities bringing joy to patients and residents. Within moments of viewing the segment, Vuocolo knew this was her calling. Within a few years she auditioned to become a part of the Big Apple Circus, became a company member and continued that work in the Chicago area for 10 years.
Bright, cheerful and still very real –we love the days Good Medicine visits our residents. From a lovely serenade for a hard moment to a resident ready to dance – moment to moment Good Medicine meets each of us where we are and brings the joy of the moment to the surface. Life is lighter and always more laughter on the days of their visits.
-Jodie W., Life Enrichment Director, Danbury Westerville
In 2013 Vuocolo moved back to Westerville and knew she wanted to start a local “clown care” program. After training a troupe of actors and finding success with performances of “Uptown Scrooge,” Vuocolo turned her attention to the program.
“I had this great troupe of trained actors and funds from our success in Uptown Westerville, but I didn’t have any programs in care facilities,” said Vuocolo. “Trying to get program directors to understand what this was without seeing us was difficult, but finally we were able to pilot the program for eight weeks at an older adult care facility. We are still there today."
Building a Foundation of Joy
Good Medicine Productions facilitates what is known as a circle of care program, an approach where a network of healthcare professionals, family members and community support systems all work together to provide comprehensive care for a patient, ensuring all aspects of their well-being are addressed.
Vuocolo and her troupe visit local nursing facilities twice a month with comedy duo performances. During these performances a variety of characters interact with each other and the residents. It is more than entertainment. It is about meeting residents where they are and connecting with them on a personal level.
Clown personas are meant to be easily recognizable and resonate with audience members.
Performers interact by creating problems for themselves–doing ordinary things the wrong way, telling bad jokes or getting themselves into trouble. The audience then has the entertaining task of helping the performers out of their tough spots. Some of the resident’s favorite personas include a showgirl who can’t remember her lines and a country western horse thief who tells terrible jokes.
Each character dons red and white striped socks, a nod to the traditional image of a clown.
“It's about making the residents feel needed and helpful. They become in charge of us in a way,” said Vuocolo. “The beauty of clown theatre is that you are present in the moment with the residents, connecting with seniors who are in the twilight of their life and struggling to figure out what is the present moment.”
The Good Medicine Productions troupe meets each resident where they are - becoming a catalyst for residents to find joy within themselves.
Compassionate Learning
Continuous learning and training are central to Vucolo’s mission. While troupe members light up residents’ faces with great joy and riotous laughter, they also witness profound grief.
Troupe members participate in bi-monthly “emotional hygiene” training to help them better understand themselves and the residents at the care facilities.
During training sessions, special emphasis is placed on interpersonal communication and recognizing social cues of residents. The sessions are also a place where performers can process the hard things they witness with each other.
“We focus on how to interact with those experiencing memory loss and aging alone,” said Vuocolo. “We emphasize the importance of slowing down, repetition and always asking each resident for permission before we begin any performance.”
When auditioning troupe members, Vuocolo looks for performers who are larger than life, highly physical and joyful. At the same time, she evaluates performers for sensitivity and vulnerability.
Before a new troupe member's first performance, they are required to complete 40 hours of training that includes aging-based educational workshops and visits to each facility.
In addition to training, Good Medicine Productions is a founding member of the North American Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations. The organization hosts a conference every other year to meet other organizations and share best practices of different programs in the US and Canada.
This is not a job, it is a mission. Once you do it, it is in your heart forever.
-Kristie Vucolo, Founder, Good Medicine Productions
