Hello from new member in RI, USA
KMJ1@aol.com
Mon, 2 Jan 1995 20:37:19 -0500
Hello all, and happy New Year.
Having seen the info. needed to join this mailing list on the rec.juggling
internet newsgroup - I jumped at the chance.
I'm Keith Johnson from Providence RI. I'm a 30yr. old. full time performer
(since '86) of Family Oriented entertainment (circus arts, magic, comedy at
fairs, fests, corp. picnic Christmas & Picnics etc.) and Humor Based
Educational Assemblies for K-6 grade students in New England. I do about 450
shows per year, the majority of which are "4 a days" at schools. I've been
unicycling off and on (mostly off) since I was 16. Never have I used the uni
in my shows because 1. it's hard to find a place to practice year round in
order to get good enough to include it in the shows and 2. only recently have
I graduated to performing at spaces that consistently have the correct
surface to ride. It's tough to include unicycling when you're on the living
room & ball field circuit.
The only interestingish story that I have about my life on one wheel to-date:
I graduated from Ringling Clown College in '83 and in our year they had a big
thing about cycles. One guy there seemed to be born on a unicycle, it was as
if there wasn't anything he couldn't do - it was as natural to him as walking
is to me. In a couple of days he learned to ride a unicycle wheel without
the seat or body, (I forget what that is called.) At the time I was able to
ride a uni in a straight line and mostly stay up. A couple of weeks before
the end of the course, I was informed that I was to ride a 6 footer in our
graduation performance (in which we are judged eligible for circus
contracts). I did learn to ride it - barely. I never did learn to
free-mount the 6 footer, but by holding it still against a vertical "I" beam
which was a good distance away from the performance area, I could climb up
and then sit and wait for my entrance. I was to ride in the center of a line
of 4 other unicyclists lined up like a train. Anyway since I could not rock
in place, and could only move in a forward direction at a set pace, I had to
judge by the actions of the first 2 cyclists when to let go of the beam and
race forward to catch up to them and have it look like a smooth entrance at
the same time. As if that weren't enough, the day before our performance the
director decided I should be carrying in my hands a 3 foot tall book entitled
"How To Ride A Tall Unicycle". The worst part is, this gigantic book was
made out of 1/4 inch plywood. After mounting the unicycle and letting go of
my beam in time to look like I was a synchronized part of a 5 person
unicycling team, right before I made my entrance, I was handed a HEAVY hinged
plywood book to hold in front of my face as I rolled out to be scrutinized by
the owner of the circus and the world media that was invited.
I never did crash, I never ran into someone that was behind or in front of
me - both of which would have at least been funny and therefor acceptable,
instead I did the worst thing possible. I rode that unicycle in front of all
of those people looking like I was scared to death and out of control - which
I was. People fearing for your safety and the safety of the others around
you does not a good impression make in Ringling Bros. Circus. I was not one
of the lucky few who were offered contracts the following day. I was offered
a contract a few months after graduation, but I declined (a sin). Who knows
what they would have had me do if I was actually in their employ?
I hope to rekindle my fondness of unicycling by taking part in this mailing
list. I'll be watching for encouraging words written by others who have
worked through the basics of unicycle skills and are now onto more complex
things. Hopefully, next summer I'll put the uni back into my shows.
I welcome e-mail at all times concerning- juggling, circus arts, the trials
and pleasures of performing solo shows etc.
Sorry if this post is unacceptably long - I won't do it again.
My best to you all, Keith- KMJ1@aol.com