The Monroe County Fine Arts Center, in partnership with The American Clown Academy, presents a night of comedy for the entire family. The Bigtop Show will be held Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 pm. This hour-long, high-energy comedy show will feature more than 100 clowns from around the world. Pre-show fun begins at 6:30 with free face painting and balloon animals.

General admission tickets for The Bigtop Show are $5 per person and will be available at the door.

The American Clown Academy is a weeklong training experience geared towards perfecting the art of clowning. Professional clowns traveling both nationally and internationally will participate in workshops and lectures that cover everything from dance choreography to proper pie throwing techniques. The Fine Arts Center will host The Bigtop Show which serves as a showcase for the skills gained through week of classes and coaching. For more information on The American Clown Academy, please visit www.aca18.com

As part of this event, Monroe County Schools will welcome home Mary Persons High School alumnus Lee Andrews – known locally as Lew-E the Clown. Andrews recently purchased the American Clown Academy and brings its annual summer camp to the Middle Georgia area. Now in his 22nd year of performing, Lee educates and entertains at schools, libraries, festivals, fairs, birthday parties, churches, and corporate events nearly 300 times each year! Andrews previously served as an advance clown for Cole Brothers Circus, a guest trainer for Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque du Monde, and was featured in Zac Brown Band’s music video for “Goodbye In Her Eyes”.