Norton MA Face Painter and Balloon Twister: Ava!

June 10, 2024 kscope

Ava is a face painter and balloon twister based out of Norton, MA and currently attending Wheaton College for creative writing.

Ava started with Kaleidoscope in 2023, having graduated from Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts with a focus on cinematography and traditional photography. In 2022, her story Mother Nature’s Son was mentioned as a Notable Story in Write Rhode Island, her home state’s only short fiction competition for high school students.

At Kaleidoscope, Ava would love to come to your party for:

See some of Ava’s verified Google and GigSalad reviews here:

Interview with Ava: Norton MA Face Painter and Balloon Twister!

When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?

I started working here in spring 2023 as I was graduating high school. I chose Kaleidoscope because I was promised a fun, comfortable, and team-oriented working environment that could foster my creativity, while always teaching me the responsibility I needed to begin my life outside of high school. And each member of this company has delivered on the promise time and time again!

 

What’s your favorite art form (or performance etc) to do here?

Face Paint!

 

What is your favorite part of face painting?

My favorite part of face painting is how personal and individual it can be! I’ve found that, for kids, being able to choose something as simple as the color of their face paint, or a design their friends haven’t done yet, makes them feel really special.

What are people’s reactions when you tell them That you’re a professional face painter and balloon twister?

People think my job is super cool and fascinating, I’m almost always asked follow up questions about what I do.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about being in event entertainment?

Although it is certainly nowhere near the hardest job on the planet, it’s not the easiest either! Anyone has the capability to do what we do, but it took us all lots of learning and practice to get where we are! Our skills are developed with time and experience!

 

What was the most memorable party you ever entertained at?

I entertained at a birthday party with only about five kids, all under the age of 7. By the end I knew all of their names and their favorite subjects in school. When there were lulls when they didn’t want any art from me, they brought coloring books over and asked if we could color together. But best of all, was when the birthday girl took my hand and brought me out to sing happy birthday with her and her family. Small parties will always be my favorite because of that one event!

 

What’s your favorite part of being an artist?

It’s honest to me and who I am as a person! I’ve been creative since I was little, it’s not surprising that I am an artist as an adult because that is what I have always been. Art makes me feel my most true to myself.  My favorite part of the job is how authentic to myself I can be while working, I do not need to change for anyone.

What’s your favorite part of Entertaining kids?

Kids are hilarious and honest, but they’re also curious, and I’ve found when you tap into that curiosity, you can learn something from them regardless of their age.

What is the hardest thing about being a Face Painter or Balloon Twister?

I am not a babysitter! I love the kids to death, but I cannot be put in charge of them and their well being.

Many parents think it’s okay to leave while their children are in my chair, which is completely fine for a moment to grab their phone for a picture or something small, but leaving entirely and not returning puts me and the child in a strange position. They’re scared to leave my chair alone and I don’t feel comfortable letting them go alone, causing me to stop what I’m doing and find the parent instead of helping the next kid in my chair.

 

What’s one thing you want every event planner to know?

Large events tend to either be the busiest or the slowest, all depending on the amount of children. If your corporate event is anticipating a large amount of children, please plan accordingly and schedule enough artists to make sure each kid gets the exact art they want! If you are anticipating a small amount of children, an art like balloon twisting, where a kid can get multiple, fulfills the time more than something like face painting, which kids can only get one of.

Get a free entertainment quote for your upcoming party!

Ideal set up for a face painter or balloon twister: inside or under shade; a small table with 2 chairs; enough lighting; and far away from any speakers or loud sounds.

Taunton MA Face Painter and Balloon Twister: Colleen E!

June 7, 2024 kscope

Colleen is a face painter and balloon twister at Kaleidoscope who began with here in 2019 while she was studying theatre at Salem State University. Since graduating, she has performed with a number of community theatres, deepened her love for visual arts as a cake decorator at Dessert Works in Westwood MA, and of course continued performing as a children’s party entertainer with Kaleidoscope!

Among her many talents, Colleen can provide:

Colleen’s strengths as an entertainer are her infectious smile and sweetness with kids, and the parties where she shines the most are small kids birthday parties.

 

Colleen working as a balloon twister and face painter at an event

Interview with Colleen: Taunton’s Favorite Balloon Twister and Face Painter!

When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?

I’ve been with Kaleidoscope since 2019! I was in college for theatre browsing indeed for art-related jobs. An interview and much training later, here I am!

What’s your favorite art form to do here?

Balloon twisting is sooooo my bread and butter. The popping still scares me even after five years.

What is your favorite part of Being a balloon Twister?

Definitely the reverse engineering. Whether a kid wants something I’ve never done/heard of, make it happen! Even watching my colleagues make something I never have, and trying to learn what they just did. We have a great support system with the artists here, so we’re constantly learning from each other which is really fun.

What are people’s reactions when you tell them You’re a professional balloon twister?

People usually say, “wow! That’s so amazing, nobody does that kind of thing anymore!” Or, “so you’re a clown!”

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about Being a professional kids party entertainer?

People would be surprised at the amount of training it takes to do what we do!

What do you think your superpower as an artist is?

Oh boy, definitely patience. It’s such a requirement, and you have to be quick on your feet too!

What was the most memorable party you ever entertained at?

You never forget your first party. I was so nervous, even though everyone was so nice and it turned out great. It was a jungle animal theme, I’ve never painted so many tiger faces.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Making people’s day. Kids love what we do! I once autographed a balloon before, and the kid who I made it for told me she hoped it would never deflate.

What’s your favorite part of being an professional artist?

The act of being an artist itself. Since I come from an acting background I never thought any sort of painting would find an art medium that I excel at. But when you love what you do, you get good at it!

What is the hardest thing about being a Face Painter or Balloon Twister?

Keeping track of my supplies. We have a pretty good system with our central office, but there is so much to keep track of with all the different art forms we do that we’re constantly trying to stay on top of it.

What’s one piece of advice you give to every parent planning a birthday party?

Have plenty of water and snacks. Also, have a backup option in case of rain.

What’s one thing you want every corporate event planner to know?

Sometimes, less is more to keep people entertained. Instead of having just 1 face painter and 1 balloon twister for a huge event, consider having 2 face painters only (or just 2 balloon twisters). The budget will work out the same, and guests will be happy if there are shorter lines.

Book Colleen Now!

New London CT Face Painter and Princess Party Artist: Bianca G!

August 28, 2022 kscope

Bianca is an experienced princess performer, balloon twister, and face painter with a super interesting background!

She started as a party entertainer with Kaleidoscope in 2022, and brings an impressive background as an entertainer both through cosplay and as a professional Twitch streamer. Here’s what she has to say about herself:

My name is Bianca, and I am an avid cosplayer, Twitch affiliate, and Disney fanatic. Although I originally adapted my makeup and costume skills as a cosplayer, I was given many opportunities to truly shape my craft while performing at events and immersing myself fully into the characters I love.

I understand the difference between cosplay and a professional acting gig and the sheer importance of creating memorable experiences for families and children. I’ve worked with children for many years, having started my adult career as a camp counselor for 4 years. I pay special attention to character details, personality traits, and lore related to the universe they come from. I often hyperfocus on these details because they help the characters come alive.

I’m thankful to have become a face painter and balloon twister more recently, because while I get the greatest joy out of interpreting the characters I love, it’s a new creative challenge that I’ve loved to explore!

I am Mexican-American, and I take great pride in my Latina heritage and culture. I’ve always been particularly enamored by Honey Lemon from the 2014 Disney film, Big Hero 6; but, I also deeply connect with Queen Elsa and Rapunzel. It always brings me great joy to portray the latter characters, who are prominently depicted as Caucasian, because it shows others (and especially children of color!) that their favorite Disney princesses can look just like them!

At Kaleidoscope, Bianca will be interpreting a number of princesses, pirates, and fairies that are unique to her. 

In addition to her fantastic background as a cosplayer and princess, she entertains here doing:

Book Bianca Today

Work by face painter and balloon twister Bianca

Why is party entertainment so expensive? (Updated 2022)

April 9, 2022 kscope

Why is face painting so expensive? Why do you have to pay so much to have a princess come to your party? Why can’t you just have a 30min mascot visit?

Because almost all of our clients are party parents on a budget (although most of our income is actually from corporate clients on an even tighter budget) we’ve always put a lot of effort into keeping our prices down and our packages flexible enough for everyone to afford.

But we also understand it can be frustrating when you don’t see a package or price you had hoped for. So in the spirit of transparency in our business and respect for our clients, we published a breakdown of why, exactly, party entertainment can be so pricey.

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Live Action Princesses + Their Friends

November 27, 2016 kscope

Kaleidoscope specializes in parties with multiple characters, because our actors are trained to work together to bring stories come to life! The past box office years have seen some big adventure stories which makes these princesses and their friends the perfect choice for parties of any size, age, or gender.

Remember: because mascots are picture-perfect, check on these differences between mascots and face characters so you pick the best package for your party.

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