Though there is no prehistoric record of Cro-Magnon man inventing the novelty nose, surely there was some version of the classic clown performing pratfalls before written accounts started recording their antics.

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The Clowning Caveagna Family perform with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.

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Emmett Kelly

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Comedian Red Skelton as Freddie the Freeloader.

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Heath Ledger was creepy in clown face as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Pammy the Clown

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Though the earliest clowns, fools or jesters might not have sported facepaint and rainbow wigs, there has always been a call for performers whose purpose was making people laugh. In honor of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' return to Augusta, we offer a quick guide to clowns -- good, bad and sometimes creepy.

What does it take to be a clown?

Five important qualities, according to Augusta's Pammy the clown:

1 A CLOWN HEART: If your heart is not in it, people, especially children, will see through you. Have a genuine adoration for children and a strong desire to make people happy. Having a Clown Heart is most important and with it, everything else will fall into place.

2 ETHICS: It goes way beyond manners. It's above-average common sense. Every clown should have outstanding morals and follow a code of ethics covering behavior, appearance, safety and judgment. In clowning, there is no place for bad habits or anger.

3 EDUCATION: Clowning (done right) requires training and knowledge. There are clown schools, camps, educational conventions and regional workshops all across the U.S.

4 SKILL SET: Sometimes it is a natural talent. Other skills can be acquired through education and practice, practice, practice. Balloon-twisting, face painting, clown magic, storytelling and stage performance are just a few. The ability to make things funny is the most important.

5 AUTHENTICITY: Developing a unique clown character takes time, but it is required for the professional clown. It makes you unique and unforgettable. To a child, a clown is a cartoon character that has come to life. Having a distinct character makes you believable.

CLOWN CLASSIFICATION

WHITEFACE: A clown who applies a white make-up base, inspired by the harlequin tradition.

AUGUSTE: The colorful clowns. They wear bright baggy clothing, candy-colored wigs and the iconic novelty nose.

CHARACTER: Makeup is usually a caricature exaggeration of existing traits. The most famous varietal of character clown is the hobo.

NEW VAUDEVILLIANS: Makeup is usually minimal, and the act usually harkens back to both circus and vaudeville traditions. Bill Irwin and the Flying Karamazov Brothers exemplify this fairly contemporary movement.

The Clowning Caveagna Family perform with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. SPECIAL \nFILE