Personalities Behind Clown School Featured in New Jersey Paper



The Smile Factory, a clown school run by Daisy D. Dots, also known as Elaine Vercellone, was recently featured in the Star Ledger. The Star Ledger is an online version of New Jersey's largest newspaper. The site provides information on news, sports, entertainment, jobs, autos and real estate.

The article, titled "They've got funny noses, floppy feet and helping hands," explains how the clown classes work and how the students hope to bring smiles to the faces of others. The ten-week clown classes are free for children and adults can enroll if they are accompanied by a child. Vercellone wants her students to help others in any way, whether volunteering at a hospital or senior care center, or entertaining those displaced by natural occurrences. "The point of Vercellone's school, in other words, is not just a play date for kids, or even a chance to spend quality time with mom one night a week," wrote Bob Braun, writer for The Star-Ledger.

Students at The Smile Factory learn about makeup, costumes, acting and story telling. Students are also required to participate in at least three community service events. Vercellone is also part of a growing national troupe of clowns dedicated to helping disaster victims, called Red Nose Response, which was created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The troupe often goes to fires and other disasters to work with the displaced.

For the full article, go to http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2008/02/inside_the_smile_factory.html

For more information about The Smile Factory, visit www.optline.net.

About The Smile Factory:

Elaine Vercellone, also known as Daisy D. Dots, owns and operates clown classes at The Smile Factory. Tuition is free to children and adults are allowed to enroll if they are accompanied by a child. Students learn about makeup, costumes, acting and story telling and are required to participate in at least three community service events.





Personalities Behind Clown School Featured in New Jersey Paper