Clown Jeff Jenkins
Episode 6
Clown Jeff Jenkins, when he snuck backstage at the circus as a boy a chance encounter with a clown led him to his own life in the big top, Jeff talks about rescuing and training pitbulls and in many ways their owners, and he shares his incredible focus on making the city of Chicago a better place for everyone by working to improve its schools, and its parks.
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Born and raised in Chicago. Delivered newspapers for $13 a week and worked at a pizza restaurant.
Snuck backstage at Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus and met clown Sean Emery https://seanemery.com/
18 years old moved to Florida and went to Ringling Bros. Clown College (harder to get into than Harvard) 12 weeks of juggling, acrobatics, clown, stilts, prop building, sewing, performing material. 9 of 60 people who left clown college were hired as clowns for Ringling. Toured for 2 years in the Blue Unit 1986-1988 (After taxes made $163.18 a week)
21 years old moves back to Chicago, did clowning, comedy, acting, taught and directed for clown college and Ringling.
Met wife Julie and started the Midnight Circus shows performed in and around Chicago https://www.midnightcircus.net/
30 years later gets an email from Aerial Emery Hula Hoop artist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-djg_TRltA
Matts coach from Cirque du Soleil Nouvelle Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKvmDxdyga8
Circus in the Parks- Impacting the community and its members https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wDRwuPXktA&feature=youtu.be
Performs a comedy dog act, began with rescues and training dogs focusing on pitbulls. Worked with the Anti-Cruelty Society and spent time in IL youth correctional facilities using dogs and training as an opportunity to educate these young men about empathy and positive reinforcement - impacting the lives of both dogs and dog owners.
In 2018 ran for Alderman of the 47th ward in Chicago.
New program K9 Kindness Academy on the West side of Chicago with Breakthrough Ministries https://www.breakthrough.org/
Worked on local school council for 6 years. Continues to work actively with local politicians, the parks and schools to make Chicago a better place.
