Thursday, February 10, 2022

Clown Alley Black History Month: Bernice Collins

 


Bernice Collins graduated from the Ringling Clown College in 1977 and toured with the Ringling Blue Unit as a clown for the 108th Edition in 1978 and 1979. Off the top of my head, I believe Bernice was the first African American woman to be hired as a clown during the Feld/Clown College era. 

Bernice wore many different hats with Ringling over the year. She was a dancer, horse presenter and even a tiger presenter, mentored by the late, great Charley Baumann. 

She also worked various behind the scenes jobs with the Big Apple Circus, Cirque Du Soliel, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Learn more about Bernice thanks to the Uncle Junior project:

https://www.unclejrproject.com/bernice


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