Steve LaPorte

As a youth, Steve was always intrigued by art, magic, model building & making things with his hands. Born in Oklahoma City, during High School he also attended Vocational School studying Commercial Art. He graduated in 1974 with a Scholarship in Commercial Art to Oklahoma State Tech. That Summer, on a whim, Steve auditioned for Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey's Clown College during the Circus' stay in Oklahoma City. A month later just before leaving for college the call came that changed his life forever. He had been 1 of 48 accepted out of 3,500 applicants to attend the next class of '74, Clown College. Plans changed & soon he was on a bus to Venice, Florida for months of intense physical training in the comedic circus arts. Introduced to makeup, costume, prop making & a multitude of skills he was offered a contract with the Circus. From his small room on the Circus train he soon began studying theatrical makeup & prosthetics. After 4 years touring the U.S. as Clown & High Stilt Walk