Gear up for good with Clowns Without Borders! Check out our merch store.
CWB's 2025 season includes US cities + these countries:
Lebanon: 2022, 2025
Changing Lives One Smile at a TimeLearn what Clown Me In brings Love
to Lebanon
Clown Me In is a community-based organization that primarily works with and for communities in their own country of Lebanon. Relationships with different communities living in Lebanon drive their art, storytelling, and activism.
to LebanonNothing Stops a CWB Performance!
Well, almost nothing! We’ve forded rivers carrying our props above our head just to make it to a show we promised to give. When we’re invited, our goal is always to get to YES. We work closely with our partners to address any ethical and security concerns so that our performances can take place, even in challenging circumstances.
We'll Travel By...
To Perform At...
The Bottom Line: We Cross Borders of ALL Kinds!
As clowns, we’re used to pushing the boundaries and playing the trickster. Through intentional humor, we both question power dynamics and bring people together — and art imitates life!
As we travel the world, we erase boundaries of all kinds, not just global borders.
Even in the same tour, we might put on shows for the children of gang members, the children of police officers, and the children of guerrilla fighters. We perform for the children of hurricanes, of war, of displacement, of disputed borders, and of human rights abuses.
Kids are kids, and because we’re politically neutral, we clown for them just the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CWB decide where to go?
CWB goes where invited. We work with community partners to evaluate if we’ll truly meet the needs of our audiences. We’ve seen clowning have a positive impact in many situations, but respect that some communities might not want us to visit.
Why don’t CWB clowns wear makeup or wigs?
Clowns Without Borders takes a minimalist approach to costume and makeup. This choice reflects our focus on human connection and the intimacy of our performances, which often take place in close proximity to our audiences. By keeping our appearance simple, we ensure that the clown’s humanity is front and center, making it easier for audiences to connect emotionally.
Many of our clowns wear the classic red nose — the smallest and most universal costume piece. Some performers use minimal makeup to highlight features like their eyes, lips, or cheeks, enhancing their expressions without overwhelming their appearance. Wigs or more elaborate makeup are used occasionally if they suit the performance or cultural context, but they are not a standard part of our clowning style.
Ultimately, our goal is to adapt to the needs of each audience, using costumes and makeup as tools to serve the moment, while prioritizing the authenticity and joy that make CWB performances so special.
I’m a clown. Can I perform with you?
That depends. What type of clown are you? Clowns Without Borders (CWB) artists are contemporary circus performers who work in ensemble. The clown qualities we treasure are vulnerability, authenticity, and presence. We work with artist who use non-verbal storytelling, physical comedy, and circus skills. Face-painting, rainbow wigs and balloon-twisting are lots of fun, but not what we do. See our featured artist page to learn more.
Is there anywhere you won’t perform?
Clowns Without Borders is committed to bringing laughter and relief to children and families living in crisis, no matter where they are. However, we are mindful of the ethical concerns surrounding some environments, particularly orphanages.
The history of orphanage trafficking — where children are trafficked or placed in orphanages to profit from voluntourism — is a serious issue. For this reason, we approach working in orphanages with great care. If we are invited to perform in a residential setting for children without parents, we conduct a thorough vetting process to ensure that the organization is legitimate, ethical, and prioritizes the well-being of the children.
While we rarely perform in orphanages, we remain open to opportunities where our performances can bring meaningful joy to children who truly need it. Our priority is always the safety, dignity, and happiness of the children we serve.
Have another question? Reach out any time!
English
Spanish