From Greg DeSanto

clown college reunion day 2 169, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. (Baraboo) When the filmmakers for “Water for Elephants” needed expertise on make-up and wardrobe depicting clowns in the 1930’s, they came to Baraboo, Wisconsin, home of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center and world-renowned repository of clown related artifacts Both the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center and Circus World Museum offered the filmmakers insight on the style of costumes, make up designs, clown props and a wealth of expertise about the circuses of the past century. Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the ICHOF, and a professional clown himself, has spent over a quarter of a century as a working professional in the circus industry and lived and worked on these circus trains as recently as the 1990s. His expertise will once again be tapped when the film is shown at the Al. Ringling Theatre on Friday, May 20 at 7:30 pm. As an added bonus to the evenings festivities, Greg will be seen in a recreation of a 1930’s clown alley applying his makeup and costume in the lobby of the historic Al. Ringling Theater. Then, after the film, Greg and his wife Karen will be on hand for a panel Question and Answer session on the Ringling stage, and describe the real life adventures of traveling on a circus train and life in the circus ring. They will also host an auction of an original framed movie photograph from the film signed by actor Robert Pattinson as a fund raiser for the ICHOF community outreach programs. The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is celebrating their one year anniversary on May 21st and will be open Monday-Saturdays from 10:00-5:00 pm for their summer season. Come down and see their newest exhibit saluting Water For Elephants with props and photos donated by cast members of the film. Call the Museum at 608-355-0321 or visit the website at www.theclownmuseum.com for more information The schedule for the May 20 combined show follow: C O M B I N E D B E N E F I T G A L A R E C E P T I O N 5:00 Ribbon-cutting for new exhibit of Benzini Bros. Circus wagons and museum items in film. Deppe Wagon Pavilion, Circus World Museum C H A N G E O F V E N U E 6:00 Gala regroups Downtown at Al. Ringling Theatre 6:30 Live Performance upon the Mighty Barton Organ, David SaLoutos, Circus World Museum Ringmaster 7:00 Movie Prologue, “The Baraboo Connection,” Steve Freese, Executive Director, Circus World Museum 7:30 Movie Premier, “Water for Elephants 9:30 Brian Heller, Executive Director, Al. Ringling Theatre Q & A / D I S C U S S I ON PANEL – “Life on a Circus” Greg DeSanto, Executive Director, Int’l Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center Karen DeSanto, Board Member, Int’l Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center