LaRena Iocco

How does a circus clown end up as a software engineer? I'm so glad you asked! I've always been a creative soul and never realized how much creativity there is in coding until I tried it! After pursuing theatre in college and attending the San Francisco Clown Conservatory I achieved my lifelong dream of working professionally in entertainment. I toured full-time for 8 years with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the U.S. and Mexico and then Kinoshita Circus in Japan. But travelling 50+ weeks out of the year can wear down even the most seasoned traveller and I found myself ready to settle down in one place and begin new adventures.

But what to do next with my life now that I was planted in NYC? Enter coding! During the pandemic I suddenly found myself with lots of extra time and was finally able to dive into software development full-time. The pandemic was hard for a lot of us, but it allowed me the time to attend Hackbright Academy and really focus my energy on engineering. As I progress in my career as an engineer my dream is to find a job where I can combine my love for coding with my love of the performing arts.

Learn more about me on my socials: Linkedin, Github, Twitter and Twitch

Experience

Projects

Adventure Awaits

Github

Plan the perfect adventure with your friends. Adventure Awaits is a full stack web app that allows you, the user, to create itineraries for trips, link those itineraries with your travel companions and collaborate to plan the perfect getaway! Adventure Awaits uses the Google Maps Javascript API as well as Google Places, allowing the user to search for and add destinations such as restaurants, museums and more to the trip. I also used the Twilio API to allow users to get text updates when their friends add activities to the trip!

Tech Stack: Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Flask, jQuery, Bootstrap, Google Maps, Twilio, AWS Lightsail

Graffiti Gallery

https://larenaiocco.github.io/canvas-practice/ | Github

The Graffiti Gallery was created with React as I wanted to get more familiar with components, hooks and state. This simple app uses the HTML canvas element to allow the user to create their own graffiti art. Choose different brick walls, canvas sizes, paint colors and reticles, as well as save your art to your computer.

Tech Stack: ReactJavaScript, HTML/CSS

Community Library

Github

Community Library is a full stack web app that I developed with the goal of learning how to work with the Cloudinary image repository API. In the Community Library a user can search through the database of books in their "community" based on titles, authors and genres with the help of a variety of SQLAlchemy queries. Users can also add or delete books from their personal library (and the community database) and request to borrow books from other users with the Twilio API.

Tech Stack: Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Flask, jQuery, Bootstrap, Cloudinary, Twilio, AWS Lightsail

Rosie's Movie Awards

https://larenaiocco.github.io/my-movie-awards/ | Github

The Rosie Awards is a single-page front end only web app that integrates with the OMDB API to allow a user to search the movie database for their favorite movies and "nominate" them for awards.

Tech Stack: JavaScript, HTML/CSS, jQuery, Bootstrap, OMDB API, GitHub Pages

Once More With Scoobies

https://larenaiocco.github.io/buffering-data-project/ | Github

Once More With Scoobies is a data visualtion project developed on behalf of the "Buffering the Vampire Slayer" podcast and uses Google Maps JavaScript API and Charts.JS to visualize where podcast listeners reside around the world. Developed with front-end only techniques, I'd like to convert this app to run with Express.JS in the future.

Tech Stack: JavaScript, HTML/CSS, jQuery, Bootstrap, Google Maps API, Charts.JS, GitHub Pages

Education

Skills

• Python
• JavaScript
• SQL
• HTML
• CSS

• Flask
• React
• jQuery
• Jinja
• Bootstrap

• PostgreSQL
• SQLAlchemy
• CLI
• Git, Github
• AWS Lightsail
• Docker
• Circle CI
• Google Maps APIs
• Cloudinary API
• Twilio API

• Agile Development and Scrum
• Podcast Hosting
• Public Speaking (scripted and live interview format)
• Video and audio editing

Media

• Twitch Live Project Build with Bit Project - Part 1
• Twitch Live Project Build with Bit Project - Part 2
• Twitch Live Project Build with Bit Project - Part 3
• Interview on Microsoft's 8-Bits
• Interview on Adopt-A-Dev

Okay, I know you are really here because I am also a clown and that intrigues you!
Here are some links to some videos:

• Make-up Demo and Clown Facts with LaRena - 2020
• RBBB's Funundrum Clown Car - 2010
• Aerial Pre-Show Act - 2012
• RBBB's Built To Amaze Soap Gag - 2014
• Starbucks Pre-Show Gag - 2016

Interests

Apart from being a web developer, I am an avid crafter. You name it, I've probably tried it; but my favorite ways to use my hands are crocheting toys, embroidering and sewing with upcycled kimono fabric. I also enjoy getting creative with my baking and bake a lot of gluten-free goodies.

In my non-existent "spare time" I cohost a 90's tv podcast called "Pass the Hot Sauce". We are currently in our second seasion and have released over 60 episodes. In addition to hosting, I also serve as the backup audio engineer.

Theatre has always been a passion of mine and I look forward to the pandemic ending so that I can attend Broadway shows again!