Connor Pepin, 2, (front) Renee Langlois, 6, and Paul Thayer, 5, (left) watch as one of Bingo's mice races a mouse-driven car between their legs at a recent show in Quantico. mwm

Carol Collins applies some red makeup as she transforms herself into Bingo the clown for a show at Quantico. mwm

BELOW: Carol Collins, also known as Bingo, has been clowning full-time since 1985. Her act includes several live animals. mwm

Children pay close attention as Bingo goes through her routine at the Quantico Family Library last month. Bingo's act consists of displays and tricks with live animals, balloons twisted into different shapes, some magic and lots of jokes and laughter. mwm

RIGHT: Carol Collins loads her equipment and animals into her special Honda Element, complete with CLWN plates and a red nose on the bumper. mwm

Emily Van Nortwick, 6, gives Bingo a hug following the show at the Quantico Family Library. Bingo said she likes to incorporate lessons into her shows, saying that helping kids learn is important. mwm

A day in the life of Bingo the clown

By CAMILLE THOMPSON

Date published: 8/5/2003

AROL COLLINS needs an hour and a half to get ready, and on a recent morning, that meant getting up at 7:30 a.m.

She can't just shower and slam down a doughnut before heading out the door, she has to transform herself--body and personality.

First come the huge red Mary Janes.

"I can drive in these," she said.

Then the costume, a short-sleeved, skirted polka dot ensemble.

And finally, the face.

She started filling in shapes above her eyes and on her lip with white makeup. Then she filled in the rest of her face with a flesh-colored tone. Next, she added black makeup and eyeliner. After each step, she dabbed her face with a powder-filled sock to set the oily colors.

With each layer she cracked more jokes, changing in attitude from Carol Collins to Bingo the clown.

"Sock it to me," she joked as she dusted her face with the sock.

She wiggled her face and explained that clowns should look at the lines and creases in their own faces to design their makeup.

"You want to see what moves when you smile," Bingo said.

Her look has evolved.

"Now that I'm older, I have a lot more lines to follow," said the 59-year-old Midland resident.

Her red clown nose was the finishing touch. It goes on with special adhesive that looked like sticky silly putty.

And the nose had its own finishing touch: a ladybug perched on the end.

"It's bugging me," she said, letting loose with a bubbling, high-pitched clown laugh.

The nose she used on a recent day is one of many she has to choose from.

"That's what's fun, you can pick your different noses when you need to," she said.

Bingo's nose has gone from painted to sponged, but it's always included a lady bug.

"It's a lazy bug--it never moves," Bingo said.

She doesn't wear a wig because it can frighten children and it's too hot, she said. She wears a silly hat instead.

And then she was off--in her Honda Element, complete with a clown nose on the front of it. The mailbox she passes on her way out of the driveway also sports a red clown nose.

"I never really go to work; I go to play," she said.

Date published: 8/5/2003