Corky the Clown offers a “Corky Lite” version for younger children

For Susan Mangum, clowns are magical. And as Corky the Magic Clown, she doesn’t just seek to entertain, she creates a world for children where they feel comfortable and valued.

“I have always been willing to adjust my costumes for the preferences of my customers,” Susan said.  

Susan has been a professional entertainer for 27 years. She started her career by performing magic for adults but didn’t enjoy it because they weren’t willing to suspend belief. The adults were too busy trying to figure out what she was doing to enjoy the performance. But the first time she performed for a child, the sparkle in their eyes made Susan realize there was nothing else she wanted to do.

“I loved making them happy,” she said.

From that time on, Susan modified her act by tailoring her entertainment to children. She learned balloons and face painting.

Susan’s website states, “When I am Corky, I’m not just a person dressed in a clown suit. I am a character that comes alive in the hearts of children and adults!”

But Susan understands that a lot of young children don’t have experience with full costumes.

“So naturally, it seemed appropriate to modify my costume based on age and experience of the child,” she said. “I do one-year-old birthdays all the time, so that child has experience with costumes. I do think it’s important for parents to expose children to theater, shows, and to keep live entertainment alive especially in light of video games, TV, and, the Internet. My show is a human experience.” 

Whether or not a child can handle the full Corky the Magic Clown costuming, or the Corky Lite version, is up to the child. Susan doesn’t make that decision. The expectation is that parents know their child well enough to choose the right costuming when they book for parties.

The main difference between the two versions of Corky is the makeup and hair.

“The full costume is more theatrical,” Susan said. “Sometimes in the Lite version, the kids actually ask if my character is a clown or a doll.”

While Corky the Magic Clown has full face paint, Corky Lite only adds a few whimsical touches of paint to accent her cheeks, nose, eyes and forehead. And Corky Lite doesn’t include a wig.

Aside from the change in costuming, Corky the Magic Clown and Corky Lite offer the same experience. Corky does an interactive magic show that involves the children. There is juggling, balloon art and face painting. Corky also produces a trained dove that does tricks. The dove can wave, high-five people in the head and play dead.

Susan is happy to offer Corky Lite because she believes the costume is irrelevant. She honors children and lets them come to her on their own. Susan says she likes to make people feel special and sees that as her real job.

“My message is the same — to spread peace, love and ‘corkyness.’”  

Corky Lite, and all of Susan’s other entertainment services, can be viewed on her website, www.corkymagic.com. She also has a Facebook page, Corky Magic. For parents interested in booking her for birthday parties or other special events, Susan can be contacted at 704-756-4257 or emailed at susan@corkymagic.com.

Photo Credit: Jeff Mangum

This story was written for CharlotteFive’s latest channel for parents in the QC, called QC Playground. Sign up for the weekly QC Playground newsletter here.

This story was originally published August 13, 2017 at 9:00 PM.