Meet Hyper the Clown: Darwin's Most Loved Children's Entertainer
Who Is Stacie, the Woman Behind the Pink Hair?
♪♫♪♫♪♫ Let's start at the very beginning…
.......It's a very good place to start. ♪♫♪♫♪♫
Stacie Ashlett was not always Hyper the Clown, but she has always been hyper! Her grandfather—a great inspiration and creative spirit—encouraged her to write, use her imagination, share knowledge and never stop learning. When Stacie was growing up in Sydney, she was involved in theatre, choir and dance. She even sang at the Olympic Games opening dinner (with Vanessa Amorosi) and at the Paralympics (with Kylie Minogue)—but that's a whole other story!
Little Hyper the Clown
How Darwin's favourite children's entertainer got her start
In 2003, Stacie moved up to Darwin and found work babysitting (That was over 20 years ago!) When she moved, she found a couple of babysitting jobs. She loved having fun and being creative with the kids—they would help her make play-dough, help her create things and help her eat it! Whoops!
She would also play hide and seek, paint and climb trees. Stacie wasn't an ordinary 16-year-old—she wanted to have fun with the kids instead of sitting around!
Her father, who ran an entertainment agency, encouraged her into the entertainment industry. When Bubbles the Clown retired to have little clown babies, Stacie ended up with face paints, brushes and Chantal the Fairy's face painting bible. She didn't know it then, but it was the start of something big and magical!
Fun fact: Stacie's grandfather and great aunt were also in the entertainment business. It runs in the family! (See picture below)
25 Years of learning, growing & Entertaining Darwin
Once Stacie conquered balloon bending and was happy with what she could make and create, she was itching to learn new things to entertain the kids. So she studied games—their origins, how they help children develop and everything she could find!
Ever hungry to learn more and after reading Harry Potter, Stacie focused her interest on discovering the world of magic. She learned magic from books and DVDs (there was no one willing to share their super-duper magic powers!). Practice, practice, practice... Soon she became a truly magical children's magician!
And that's how Hyper the Clown was born—a pink-haired, high-energy entertainer who combines balloon twisting, magic, games and genuine connection to create unforgettable parties for Darwin families.
Over 20 years later, Stacie is still here, still making kids laugh and still absolutely loving what she does.
Humanitarian Clowning: A Life-Changing Journey
Desperate to meet clowns like herself, in 2013 Stacie ventured off to discover Humanitarian Clowning. Humanitarian Clowns provide empathy, compassion, love, understanding, stimulation and support to those living in hardship.
India, 2013
Stacie's first trip was to India with Humanitarian Clowns Inc. For three weeks, she joined a group in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The clowns visited orphanages, rehab units, special needs schools, psych wards, paediatric wards, leprosy colonies and gypsy communities.
It was a life-changing experience. She realised that humanitarian clowning was a gift—a way to bring joy to people who needed it most.
While in India, Stacie attended a Laughter Yoga session and was immediately captivated by its power to create genuine connection and joy. This discovery would soon become an important part of her journey.
Becoming a Certified Laughter Yoga Instructor, 2014
Inspired by her experience in India, Stacie returned the following year to become a Certified Laughter Yoga Instructor. She wanted to bring this powerful wellness practice back to Darwin and integrate it into her work with both children and adults.
Hyper the Clown IN India
Hyper the Clown IN costa rica
But India did something else to her too. Visiting special needs schools, rehab units and communities living with disability had quietly shifted something. She came home with a deeper understanding of how to create spaces where everyone belongs—not as a nice idea, but as a non-negotiable. Back in Darwin, that same instinct pulled her deeper into the disability community.
For over 20 years now, Hyper has worked closely with children, teens and adults living with disabilities across schools, community programs and one-on-one support roles. She facilitates inclusive discos and dance programs, runs Laughter Wellness sessions for adults with disabilities, creates sensory-aware workshops and designs structured-yet-flexible environments where everyone can participate—regardless of mobility, communication style or support needs. She works confidently alongside support workers and carers because she knows that genuine inclusion means thinking about every single person in the room before the fun even starts.
Around this same time, Stacie also began deepening her connection with Darwin's Deaf community—a relationship that has now spanned over 15 years. She went on to complete a Diploma of Auslan (Australian Sign Language), which allows her to communicate directly with Deaf participants, incorporate visual communication into workshops and performances and support accessibility at community and public events. It's not just a qualification. It's a community she genuinely loves being part of.
Hyper the Clown and the REAL Patch Adams
Costa Rican Clowns
Morocco with Patch Adams, 2014
In March 2014, Stacie joined the famous Patch Adams from the Gesundheit Institute and 27 volunteers from all over the world in Morocco. They spread laughter, happiness and smiles in hospitals and orphanages around the country.
Yes, the REAL Patch Adams—the doctor and activist whose story inspired the movie! Click here to know more about this amazing human!
Costa Rica, 2014
Hyper the Clown had another fantastic opportunity to join Patch Adams again in Costa Rica in September 2014. She participated in volunteer work and care clowning workshops in San Jose. In addition to clowning in clinical settings (and prisons!!), there were daily practical workshops in clown technique, song, poetry, improvisation and composing in small groups.
Stacie brought back so much of what she learned from these trips into the Darwin community.
Still Making darwin kids happy after 25 years
Since starting humanitarian clowning, Stacie continues to spread the "clowniness" to everyone who needs it. When she has a chance, she clowns at the shops, in the car and in the streets of her Darwin town!
These days, making people happy also looks like something a little bigger and a lot louder: Hyper is the proud co-founder of Club Krock Inc.—an over-18 inclusive nightclub experience designed for people with disabilities. Because adults with disabilities deserve a big, joyful night out just as much as anyone else. Club Krock is a safe, high-energy social space where participants can dance, connect and express themselves freely—without barriers, without judgment, without limits.
After all these years, Stacie is still in the business of making people happy!
Why is hyper the clown darwin's most trusted entertainer?
Because she's awesome at connecting and entertaining kids AND she genuinely loves what she does—and it shows! This is why Darwin families keep coming back year after year for birthday parties, school events and kids party ideas that actually work!
Whether it's a backyard birthday party in Palmerston, a school disco, a corporate family day or a community festival, Hyper the Clown brings that same energy, expertise and heart to every single event.
The Professional Stuff (Because It Matters!)
While Stacie's personality and passion are what make Hyper special, parents and event organisers also appreciate knowing they're working with a true prue professional:
20+ years of experience entertaining children across Darwin and the NT
100+ five-star reviews on Google and Facebook
Public liability insurance (fully covered)
Working With Children card (Ochre Card)
Diploma of Auslan
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher (and insured)
Nominated – NT Disability Inclusion Awards 2023
Mobile service across Darwin, Palmerston, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo and remote NT communities
But honestly? The credentials are nice, but what really matters is that kids love Hyper, parents trust her and she shows up ready to make your event amazing.
Are you the same "on" and "off" stage?
Pretty much! The biggest difference is the energy level. Hyper the Clown is me turned up to maximum—more animated, louder, more playful. But my personality, my sense of humour, my way of connecting with people? That's all genuinely me. I don't "become" a different person when I put on the costume. I just give myself permission to be even MORE myself. That's why kids respond so well—they can tell it's real, not an act.
What's the story with the pink hair?
Oh, the pink hair! I've coloured my hair every colour under the sun (except black!). I love how it's always expressed what's inside me—bright, fun, a little bit chaotic in the best way!
I had my hair dyed pink for over 10 years. Some children even think clowns are born with pink hair—I wonder where they got that idea from! Eventually, I got sick of being in the hairdresser's chair all the time, so now I have an attachment. But it's still me—just easier to maintain!
Why pink? Because I love the colour pink! It's joyful, it's vibrant and it perfectly represents the energy I bring to every party.
Why did you become a clown?
Honestly? I couldn't help myself! When I was face painting, I'd get so excited talking and playing with the kids that I'd accidentally mess up their designs. I realised I needed to embrace that interactive, engaging energy—so I became Hyper the Clown, where connecting with kids IS the whole point!
Do you get nervous before parties?
After 20+ years? Not really. But I do get excited! Every party is different and I love the challenge of winning over a new group of kids.
Do you still do humanitarian clowning?
The humanitarian clowning trips to India, Morocco and Costa Rica were life-changing experiences that deeply influenced how I approach my work. While I don't travel internationally for humanitarian clowning anymore, I bring that same spirit of compassion, connection and joy to every party and event here in Darwin.
I still use the Laughter Yoga training I received in India—it's become a big part of my adult entertainment and team building services! And I still spontaneously clown around town whenever the opportunity arises.
What's your favorite part of the job?
That magical moment when a shy child breaks out of their shell and joins in the fun. Seeing a kid go from hiding behind their parent to laughing, dancing and playing along with everyone else—that never gets old. Every single time, it reminds me why I love this job.
Do you work alone or have a team?
I'm a solo performer, which means you get my full attention and energy at your event! However, I collaborate with an amazing network of Darwin entertainment professionals. If your event needs multiple services (like face painting, additional balloon twisters, stilt walkers or circus performers), I can connect you with trusted local entertainers.