Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
The Making of the 2023 Poster
You may have seen the beautiful poster art for the 2023 Big Top Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Circus. What you may not know is that it was illustrated by our own Joy Powers, an alum who has worn many Smirkus hats! It was then digitally finalized by another long-time Smirkus artist, Jason Eckenroth. Joy first became interested in circus and clowning after seeing a Circus Smirkus show at age 13. After attending Smirkus Camp, she auditioned for the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, in which she performed in the summers of 2006 and 2007. She is featured in and narrates Signe…
Introducing the 2023 Troupers
Watch this video to meet our 2023 Big Top Tour troupers! Congratulations to the 30 young circus artists, ages ranging from age 11-18, who will go on the road this summer performing over 60 shows all over New England in our beautiful Big Top circus tent! There are 20 returning troupers and 10 new troupers from the following United States (CA, CO, CT, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI and WI) and Canada. Stay tuned for our tour schedule and ticket information this spring. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2023. Special thanks to Andy Bell for creating this beautiful video!
Circus Smirkus Names Stephanie Abrams as 2023 Big Top Tour Show Director
Greensboro, VT. – Circus Smirkus announces Stephanie Abrams as the 2023 Big Top Tour Show Director. In this role, Abrams will lead the creation, development and execution of the 2023 Big Top Tour production. To the role of show director of the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, the country’s only touring tented youth circus, Abrams brings 30 years of experience working with circus performers of all ages. Steve MacQueen, Executive Artistic Director for Circus Smirkus, outlines a vision for the organization focused on collaboration and diversity. “Bringing in artists with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and abilities allows us to…
2022 Big Top Tour Closing Weekend Video
Thank you for spending the summer with Circus Smirkus!
What Goes Up, Must Come Down!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Associate Lila Chafe What goes up must come down! This truism takes form every few days for Circus Smirkus on our six week New England tour. At each new site, the tent crew, a group of experts in the assembly of big top tents, leads the cast and staff in raising three tents essential for the show. This year, troupers have gotten to experience the full teardown process. Miki Hertog-Raz, a fourth and final year trouper, exclaims that getting to stay on lot and be a part of the action is…
Advanced Camp is Underway
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Camp Communications Associate Hilary Packard The second week of our advanced camp is well underway! The energy is high as we start rehearsals for all three shows that will happen at the end of the session! Our individuals program has been working hard on their acts as well as their character work with games like So You Think You Can Aerial Dance. Ensemble has entered rehearsal week with renewed passion as the theme was announced just a few days ago, I will leave the theme a surprise for now, and minds are buzzing with story…
Smirkus Traditions
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Associate Lila Chafe Invisible to the audience yet part of every performance under the big top, Smirkus traditions create a culture of celebration that is central to life on the road. Long standing traditions like the Smirko circle – a full cast meeting before every show– or the unique way we celebrate birthdays (hint: it gets messy) are supplemented by trouper-created rituals introduced each year. Blu Catanzaro, Cora Williams, Ian Kent, and Athena Montori wait for their entrance in Greensboro. Pre-show traditions are central to the life of a Circus Smirkus trouper….
Now I KNOW I want to do Circus
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Camp Communications Associate Sojourn Gudorf Johnston “I thought I wanted to do circus, but now I KNOW I want to do circus.” Another inspiring Camp Smirkus session has concluded! Session 3 campers shared their talents, creativity, and excitement with us for two weeks, and with their parents in their final showcase. The campers used this opportunity to showcase what they worked on during Session 3. They voiced their ideas and collaborated on selecting what they wanted to present to their adults. The past week was packed full of fun activities such as Family Feud night,…
Props, Pies, Rubber Chickens? Oh My!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Camp Communications Associate Sojourn Gudorf Johnston This week’s blog highlight is Clowning! Clowning is a magical gift that magnifies a version of a character by emphasizing relatable mistakes and allows you to find the humor in these everyday activities. It encourages us to laugh at ourselves. There is actually ‘Clown Logic’. This technique explores the silly nature of how a clown thinks through a situation, usually in a very unpractical way. In the clowning tent at Smirkus Camp, campers learn how to develop their character and express their creativity though a variety of games, exercises,…
A New Vision for Circus Smirkus
With new artistic leadership at the helm of Circus Smirkus, a new vision for the future is emerging. Key to this vision is collaboration with a broad range of artistic voices, opening up opportunities for artists with different perspectives, experiences and abilities to explore new ways of creating Smirkus magic in tandem with our coaches and troupers. Because of this shift, Smirkus will look to a new directing team for next year’s Big Top Tour production. Troy Wunderle and Mark Lonergan have enjoyed five successful seasons together, creating shows that have brought joy and wonder to audiences all over New England. These…