I think Robert Gray is already dead in episode 3 of IT Welcome To Derry and Periwinkle is dressed up still hoping he’ll return or has been being visited by IT as Pennywise.
Here’s images I think support it from episode 3 and episode 7.
We see in ep 3 Shaw comes from the direction of the barn where IT was watching Pennywise perform in ep 7.
Notice the red and white stripped tent that appears beside Pennywise’s wagon?
It’s now behind the freak show entrance and blocked from view by the structures.
But before that tent along with the Pennywise Stage was clear to see from the barn. Now you can barely see the tent and there is no longer a way to see the stage.
To me it appears they took down his stage and moved the freak show to that area to fill in the space.
If it was there to begin with, Pennywise’s stage wouldn’t be able to be there due to room and placement.
It makes more sense they had to change things around to fill in the area after he disappeared.
Additionally, the gentleman (Andy Muschietti) that played the music for Pennywise and stands in front of the red and white tent, now becomes a piano player inside the freak show. I’d imagine unless they switch people out, you can’t very well do both job unless you are now free to focus on the one.
Add Ingrid is alone, dressed as Periwinkle with red only Balloons, which isn’t normal as we see a group of balloons of various colors are the norm in the carnival except for Pennywise’s performance and those fall to the ground. We don’t see floating red balloons part of his actor or around the stage. It feels as if she’s waiting for someone as well.
This is my take on what we are visual given.
