Wikipedia!

Hanna can now be seen on Wikipedia! She is listed under "List of Clowns" in the Theatrical Contemporary category by her lesser used non-clown name, Karen Scurto! Visit the website HERE

 give Hanna a call at: 209-464-6677 or visit her website at: 
http://www.californiaclownschool.com 

Hanna's Press Release for School Assemblies

Click HERE to read Hanna's Press Release about teaching at School Assemblies!

Hanna's Press Release for School Assemblies

Fairy Photo Album

Carson Oaks Community Church - Stockton, CA

What a lesson to me was this, that clothes surely do not make the man! I loved being able to work and be a part of children who saw who and what we are and what we do and I knew that they went home with a truly memorable experience. Many thanks to Carson Oaks Community Church and for all they do in our community! Hanna was excited to be a part of the work to make 200 children happy!

6509 N. Alturas Ave.

Stockton, California 95207

Phone and Fax: (209) 478 - 5866

O'Connor Woods - Stockton, CA

This last week we were working at O'Connor Woods Convalescent Hospital in Stockton, CA. It was an Employee Appreciation celebration and celebrate we did! It was great to help in the appreciation of those who serve our Senior Citizens. We here at Hanna Banana's also appreciate their hard work!

Hanna's Start

Stockton Record

Hanna Banana

1982

 

Financial adversity brought Karen Smith and Hanna Banana together.

 Karen’s husband, Gordon, was among the air controllers fired at Stockton Metropolitan Airport two years ago, and he couldn’t find another job.

 “I had to make money,” she says, “I sat down and evaluated what skills I had. I really liked kids and I used to put on programs when I was a Boy Scout leader for four years and when I taught Sunday school.”

 When she decided to become Hanna Banana, party impresario, she set some bard and fast rules for her new enterprise.

 “It was going to be good, clean fun – no offcolor jokes.” The formula paid off. Hanna Banana, a winsome clown with a banana painted on one cheek and a heart on the other, is in constant demand, especially by youth groups and families. 

 “When we go to a family party, we paint everybody’s face,” says Smith. “We have cake-eating contests and bob for apples. It’s old-fashioned fun. We just have a ball.”

On New Year’s Day, Hanna Banana and company entertained 150 members of the Lodi Boys Club. “We painted up the director and bopped him on the head with confetti-filled eggs,” she says “the kids went crazy.”

Smith also portrays several of Comedienne Carol Burnett’s characters.

The Smiths’ offspring – David, 10; Lisa, 5; and Jeremy, 4 – join the act when needed.

Smith’s husband is now a driver with United Parcel Service, but she is having too much fun to give up Hanna Banana. In fact, she now has a trademark on the appealing little character for possible future commercial use.

Terri Ross sums up how she, Powers and Smith, feel about their careers: “We’re dealing in memories. We’re giving people something they won’t ever give forget.”

Bubbles!

Kids are fascinated by bubbles. Try these ideas from products that are already in your home!

Meet the Clowns

Meet the Clown

Hanna Banana started her clown business in 1981. She is a mom and knew what she wanted from an entertainer for her children. Hanna Banana has been contacted by MTV, PBS, Woman's Day magazine, Parade Magazine and many more. She recently was interviewed on the air by a radio station in the Washington, DC area. She has been called numerous times by Hollywood producers and writers regarding clowns and clowning around. She was featured on Channel 31 in Sacramento, California as one of the 3 clown teachers in the world. She offers a new approach to clowning. She is at the forefront of a revolution in clowning in America. Hanna is a modern clown with a soft gentle approach that promotes peace, understanding and unity among all age groups and all cultural and ethic groups.

Hanna Banana's previous job - Mockumentry done at Clown School

Birthday Party

Having a Corporate Event? Clowns are a great way to keep the children entertained.

Write-Up in Women's Day Magazine

Women's Day Magazine

Start a Home Business with $500 or less

As a Scout leader and Sunday-school teacher, Karen Smith of Stockton, California, enjoyed working with children. When her husband’s union went on strike nine years ago, Karen invested $20 in a clown wig and makeup and became Hanna Banana, a party clown. After her first job – performing at a birthday party for twins- her business spread by word of mouth. She promoted it further through advertisements in shoppers newspapers. She gets additional publicity by giving free performances at libraries.

Karen’s weekends are now booked with parties at $60 and up. That includes the nontoxic face paints she puts on children and small prizes (always safe items that can’t be swallowed). Karen also performs at company picnics for about $100 an hour.

Written by Robin Warshaw
October 2, 1990