Jesters in the Castle: A Juggler’s Story

Posted by gorilla on Feb 12, 2012 in Web Exclusives | 0 comments

By: Kevin Coyle                        

Most people in Frederick know the Armory to be nothing more than a castle-like building on the corner of Baker Park. But to me, as a 10-year old deaf child, the building was someplace magical.  It is where I met professional clown Mark Lohr, and joined the Frederick Juggling Club.

 My interest in juggling began with a trip to Flights of Fancy, a store located in Everedy Square.  Making my way to the back of the store, towards the toy section, I found a book that would change everything for me, Juggling for the Complete Klutz.  I begged my mom to get it, but she made me wait until Easter. 

 When I finally got my hands on the book, I began by juggling beanbags. In the beginning, I was better at dropping them than catching them. I made a clearing in my living room and would practice to the music of Junior Brown until it drove my mother crazy. It was during those early months of my new-found obsession that I noticed the flyer for the Juggler’s Club posted inside the Armory. I’m sure my mother was thankful I had found a new venue where I could practice.

 Following the advice of the flyer, I found myself attending the Juggler’s Club as an eager novice. There I met Mark.  He graduated from the prestigious clown college and performed in circuses and on streets across America.  Among his many talents are juggling fire and performing hat manipulations—but his greatest talent is teaching others, like he did me. 

 As a beginner, I was eager to learn it all at once. Mark made a chart that documented my progress. This way, he made sure that I had mastered at least one trick before moving on to another.  Mark always said, “You have to do a trick ten times without a drop before trying it out on a live audience.” 

 Most of the time we would practice in the upper room of the Armory, but on nice days we would practice at the band shell in Baker Park.  There, Mark often took out his torches and juggled fire, attracting people like moths to a light.  His juggling performances were meant to demonstrate and inspire rather than to show-off, but you couldn’t help but be awed by his skill.

 Beyond technique, the most important thing Mark teaches is to “never give up.”  This lesson served me well throughout my life, whether I was struggling to do homework or in my juggling.  Mark’s clowning background was an asset.  He knew how to have fun and see the lighter side of life.  He taught us to take our drops in jest.  In his mind, every miss was an opportunity for comedic relief.

Frederick juggling club at Frederick Towne Mall

 The club was disbanded for a few years, so I kept on juggling by myself, honing my skills as I waited for the day when the juggling community would regroup. Finally, the club reformed and we began juggling in the Frederick Town Mall.  There I met Mark’s friend, and fellow clown-college graduate, Kevin Brown.  He taught me the subtle lessons of performing such as where to place your feet when taking a bow and timing.  Once, while giving me a few pointers on an act, he passed on something I will always remember: character and honesty come before skill.  I may not catch every throw, but if I can establish a rapport with my audience, hopefully my audience will like me as a person.

 While I had known Mark Lohr for many years as an instructor and friend, I never saw him perform.  When our club put together a show in the mall, I had a chance to finally see this master at work.  I learned some valuable lessons, even before his act started.  While backstage with Mark, we were talking and he was called to the stage.  He suddenly stopped talking and went into character.  The moment he passed through the curtains, he left his off-stage personality behind him.  Dressed in a suit and topped with a red hat, he commanded the audience’s attention with raised eyebrows and the thrust of a single finger into the air, as if he was trying to make a point.  He wore no makeup, but he didn’t need any because, like Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel before him, his face could morph into extreme expressions that turned him into a different character. The most inspiring part of Mark’s act was that he performed in silence.  As a deaf man, I struggled to perform without being able to talk to the audience. Mark showed me the power of non-verbal communication. 

 With the help of my sister, I developed a silent act for the stage.  Our first volunteer show was done at the University of Maryland’s Juggling Convention.  I was nervous, but somehow my juggling act went smoothly and ended with me catching five oranges in a hat.  Behind the curtains I had the chance to meet many other successful entertainers and the whole experience inspired me to pursue entertainment arts.

 Thought that delightful first throw was year ago, I still think there is still something magical about making objects dance effortlessly in the air.  It is a Zen experience. Juggling relieves stress and brings enchantment to our otherwise mundane world.  Mark gave me the gift of juggling, a gift that will last a lifetime and that I can share with others.  Whenever I pass the Armory, the band shell, Flights of Fancy, or the Frederick Town Mall, I am reminded of where my juggling journey all started—right here in downtown Frederick. 

A Note from the Editor-in-Chief

Posted by PatteeGorilla on Feb 1, 2012 in February/March 2012, Publishers' Note | 0 comments

Pattee Brown

What makes us different?

You know, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear of the variety of people who read the Frederick Gorilla cover-to-cover. It’s one thing to simply thumb through a local publication just to see if you know anyone in it, and then have it decorate your desk or coffee table until the next issue arrives. But it’s another thing entirely to cherish a magazine, carrying it with you until you’ve read every article.

Young people—from hipsters to college students—have told me this magazine speaks directly to them. At the same time, I have had CEO’s, business professionals, hip moms and grandparents likewise tell me they find the magazine’s content particularly engaging and relevant to their concerns.