Kid Reporters Jennifer Shapp and Jonathan Amdur talk with two clowns at Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus—Jesse Highley (L) and Dean Kelley (R). Check out Kid Reporter Jonathan Amdur's report on his visit to the newly redesigned circus. See what Kid Reporter Jennifer Shapp has to say about her trip to the circus. Learn what it's like to be an circus animal trainer. Read about a new training program that is helping kids get fit. Check out this slideshow for pictures from under the big top. Photo: Suzanne Freeman

Dreams can come true—just ask Dean Kelley and Jesse Highley. These two performers dreamed of one day working as circus clowns. Today, they bring smiles to faces across the country, as they clown around in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

"I've wanted to do this since I was 4 years old," says Dean, who is originally from Kansas City, Kansas.

Dean isn't the only one who had his eye on the circus as a child.

"I always used to go to the circus and say that is what I want to do," says Jesse, a Missouri native. "Now here I am in the 'Greatest Show on Earth,' living out my dream."

Jesse and Dean are two clowns in the newly redesigned circus. From costumes to makeup, their looks are totally their own designs. Jesse has blue hair, a big clown nose, and a purple shirt. Dean has orange hair shaped like an acorn, a polka-dot shirt, and rainbow trousers.

Clowns have to get changed quickly between the different stunts and acts. To do this, they head to "Clown Alley," a wardrobe area where the clowns get dressed. It has everything a clown might need—from baseball hats to beehive wigs.

"You may only come into Clown Alley if you're invited," warns Jesse. "If you are not invited and you come in, we have the right to powder-sock you."

Clowning is a fun job, but these performers take their jobs seriously too. They have to be very focused during rehearsals, as they work to remember all the moves, do quick transitions between segments, and avoid bumping into other performers.

"The hardest part of being a clown is avoiding the elephant poop. It is everywhere," adds Jesse.

Clowns also have a hectic performance schedule. They are among the first performers to burst onto the stage at the start of the show, and they return to the stage many times.

Are you a class clown? Think that the circus could be in your future? Jesse and Dean offer a bit of advice:

"For someone who wants to be a clown," advises Jesse, "I say practice, practice, practice."

"It is a lot of hard work," Dean adds. "but it's worth it."