Clownin' Around

Selina Frederick has made a career out of encouraging employees to laugh

Michele Lawson

Published: Wed, Nov 8th, 2006

Send in the clowns! There are few workplaces today that don't have to deal with the symptoms of stress as part of their daily workload. But Selina Frederick has made a career out of encouraging employees to laugh at their problems.

As a professionally trained clown, she has studied humor theory and the resulting benefits of implementing a wellness plan that includes heavy doses of smiling.

"We actually have science on our side," she says. "Not only does it make your workforce healthier, but it also increases your productivity.

"Stress is one of the leading causes of absenteeism. And humor is one of the most effective tools in combating stress. It's a proactive way. For every single stressor that there is, there is a humor benefit that can combat it."

Stress-reduction can start on the commute to work.

"A lot of stressors we can predict," she adds.

"Like being stuck in traffic while travelling. (She suggests drivers) put a bunch of funny CDs in your glovebox."

She recalls a team of nurses on a dialysis unit whose pressure-filled days intensify with equipment failures. She worked with them to compile a numbered list of swear words so when the inevitable happened, they could comment on the #97 machine! and relieve the moment in a shared joke.

"You take your job seriously, but you take yourself lightly," she teaches.

Humor-carts can also be placed in staff rooms so employees can take advantage of comic books, videos and cartoons while on a break, she suggests. And, joke-of-the-day contests can be implemented.

It's important to provide the education piece as well, she says, to define good and bad humor, so people know what's appropriate in the workplace.

"Laughter is always appropriate, as long as it is done respectfully," she explains. "Laughing at situations, not people; and when it is used to build people up rather than to put them down. If you're not sure, then don't."

Frederick customizes her interactive workshops and lectures for each corporate client. She offers 15-minute humor breaks, team-building sessions, ongoing workshops as part of a long-term strategy and entertainment for events.

Currently living in the South Simcoe community of Utopia, Frederick recalls her teenage years in Orillia. She didn't have to run away to the circus, it came to her.

She opened "Clowning Around" at the age of 18 and sold clowns of every description. She provided balloon art and delivery, and clown entertainment at home parties.

It was while making a balloon delivery that she recognized the potential of therapeutic clowning.

She was asked to visit a woman in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during the visit she did her best to connect with the woman through some gentle humor. But she left unsure of herself and her mission's success.

She later heard that the woman was released from the ICU and doing remarkable better.

The woman had commented: "I knew no one would have sent a clown to see me if I were dying."

The visit had provided that hospital patient with hope and with Frederick with an appreciation of the awesome opportunities she could provide.

"I'm so passionate about the healing power of humor," she says.

She remembers the first time she delivered balloons to someone at the local hospital and being pulled into rooms as she passed to spend a few minutes with other patients.

"I went there for a five-minute balloon delivery and stayed three hours," she recalls. "I thought, there's a real need for joy here."

The young entrepreneur decided to formalize her training by attending clown school at the La Crosse Campus of the University of Wisconsin. There, her course of studies included the history and theory of humor, make-up, costumes, character development and performance, for example.

"Clowning isn't necessarily taken seriously," she says acknowledging the perception. Although she admits to owning several styles of red noses, she doesn't use much make-up these days in her sketches or workshops. There are many ways to clown around beyond the immediate images that may come to mind.

"Human beings are innately funny," she says. "But most of us have lost touch with it. People need the permission - they need to be told it's okay. Then, there's such a release.

During a lecture tour throughout the United States, Frederick provided professional development workshops for career entertainers, and educational presentations for corporations, in both conference and in-house settings. All were infused with fun and laughter.

"It's really leading-edge stuff," she says.

"Businesses are really starting to embrace the power of humor."

Back at home, however, she finds the trend is still in the embryonic stages.

"Humor programs are being implemented, but not in Canada," she admits. "We are so behind."

In addition to the wellness component of corporate health, Frederick sees humor as a strong leadership tool as well.

As a motivational speaker, connecting with humor is the mission of her speaking agenda.

She uses demonstrations and stories to show her audience how "creativity, humor and fantasy can be used to deliver an unforgettable message that motivates and inspires."

Although she welcomes the opportunity to discuss business applications of humor, she knows that there is also a time to sit back, relax and enjoy. She is, after all, a clown and she loves to entertain.

Frederick and her crew have a line-up of characters they love to introduce to party-goers at corporate or individual functions either on-stage or in a more interactive manner. This is where Fred, a bumbling fool of few words, comes to life.

In 20 or 30-minute comic theatre shows that are set to music, Fred will suit his material to the theme of the day.

Joey, Frederick's first clown character, is a simple, playful and more traditional clown who is more at home providing joy and healing humor at the bedside in hospitals and nursing homes. He delivers powerful messages of faith, hope and love.

For more information about Frederick and all her alter egos, visit www.joeysjunction.com.